Last updated on June 19, 2014
Dell is a prominent name in IT, despite it being much younger than other server OEMs in the market. It was back in 1994 when Dell first introduced its server line called PowerEdge. Right now, there are over 20 PowerEdge products in different form factors namely tower, rack mount, and blade servers. All these servers have an x86 architecture with either AMD Opteron or Intel Xeon processors, which support most Windows and Linux variants.
Understanding Rack Servers
Choosing the server for your business is a big decision as this will impact your operating costs as well as the potential of the whole organization. Rack mount or rack servers are Dell servers contained in a rack frame or cabinet. The rack helps prevent the servers from being moved around when not necessary. Aside from that, it also improves airflow so that the server you have invested in will not overheat.
Dell servers are powerful and these rack servers come with a go-to form which enables them to support many hosting providers. They boast better performance and you never have to worry about space unlike with the tower servers. Rack servers are also affordable and yet they offer strong computing power. This gives you great value for your money even if they do consume more energy than other types of servers.
Determining the Rack Size
Before buying a Dell server rack, you need to consider a few things. The first one is the size of the application that you wish to install and use. You probably already know that there are different sizes of the racks, but the most common one is the 42U size. Of course, there are other sizes including 14U, 24U, 36U, and so on. Oftentimes, finding the best rack size is the hardest, but you can make it easier by paying attention to the number of servers you will work with. In addition, you should also note that the server is not the only thing that you will have in the rack. There are also switches, power strips, routers, and patch panels. Some even have a computer for their proxy server, which is often placed near the main server.
Where to Buy
The second step is to find the best rack solution provider. There are so many of them in the market these days that it is typical to find difficulty in selecting the right company or rack builder. It is easy to find them online and in brick and mortar stores as well. You may want to check the item first or at least learn about what the company’s past customers say about their racks.
How Much to Pay
Lastly, you need to know your budget. If you already have your servers on a table or on the floor, you only need to purchase a rack. Servers today are not really that cheap and if you are still starting out, buying a server may consume half of your IT budget. Also, you need to provide it with proper ventilation as well because the servers will malfunction if they overheat.
Dell rack servers are expandable with huge amounts of RAM. You can already tell they are computing powerhouses. Make sure that you rack your servers correctly by considering the three mentioned aspects above.
+Katrina is a product specialist for rack solutions solving issues for your computer server and power needs. Find out more at Racksolutions.com
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