1. Performance
Select servers with high-performance capabilities to support demanding applications and workloads, ensuring efficient and effective operations. Some high-performance factors include:
- Reputable processors from manufacturers like Intel or AMD. Consider factors like clock speed, core count, and cache size to ensure that the processor can handle demanding workloads.
- Choose servers with ample memory (RAM) to ensure that the server can handle multiple applications and workflows simultaneously. Look out for factors like memory speed, capacity, and expandability.
- Look for servers with fast and reliable storage solutions, such as solid-state drives (SSDs) or hybrid drives, to minimize latency and ensure efficient data processing. Consider factors like capacity, read/write speeds, and redundancy.
- Choose servers with fast and reliable networking capabilities, such as 10G Ethernet, to ensure that data can be transmitted quickly and efficiently. Consider factors like bandwidth, latency, and support for virtualization.
- High-performance servers generate a lot of heat, so it's important to choose servers with effective cooling solutions to prevent overheating and ensure optimal performance. Look for servers with efficient cooling systems that can keep the server cool even under heavy loads.
- Look for servers with advanced management tools that can help you monitor and control server performance, as well as diagnose and resolve issues quickly and efficiently. Consider features like remote management, monitoring tools, and automated maintenance.
2. Reliability
Minimize downtime by choosing highly reliable servers to ensure critical business operations continue uninterrupted. Some key features of highly reliable servers include:
- Redundant components such as power supplies, fants, and storage devices, which ensure that the server can continue to operate even if one component fails.
- Built-in fault tolerance features, such as redundant arrays of independent disks (RAID), which can prevent data loss in the event of a disk failure.
- Advanced remote management capabilities so IT administrators can monitor and manage the server from anywhere in the world. This is especially useful for troubleshooting and resolving issues quickly and efficiently.
- Look for predictive failure analysis - a feature that can alert IT administrators to potential hardware failures before they occur, allowing for proactive maintenance and replacement of components before they fail.
- Extended warranties and support options for peace of mind and minimized downtime in the evernt of a failure.
3. Security
Protect business-critical data and systems from threats such as hacking, malware, and other cyberattacks by selecting servers with advanced security features and capabilities, such as:
- Secure boot: Secure boot is a feature that ensures the server boots from a trusted, authenticated source, preventing unauthorized access or modification to the boot process.
- Trusted Platform Module (TPM): A TPM is a security chip that stores encryption keys and other sensitive data, preventing unauthorized access to the server's data and applications.
- Virtualization security: Virtualization security features can help protect against malware and other threats that exploit vulnerabilities in virtualized environments. Look for servers with hardware-assisted virtualization security features, such as Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) or AMD Secure Virtual Machine (SVM).
- Network security: Look for servers with advanced network security features, such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, and virtual private network (VPN) support, to protect against unauthorized access and network-based attacks.
- Access controls: Access controls are mechanisms that restrict access to sensitive data and applications based on user roles and permissions. Look for servers with advanced access control features, such as multifactor authentication, role-based access control, and auditing and logging capabilities.
- Encryption: Encryption is the process of converting sensitive data into a format that cannot be read without the appropriate decryption key. Look for servers with built-in encryption capabilities, such as self-encrypting drives (SEDs), to protect sensitive data at rest.
4. Efficiency
Reduce carbon footprint and lower energy costs by choosing servers designed to be energy-efficient. Some key features include low-power processors, energy-efficient power supplies, server consolidation, dynamic power management, and advanced cooling solutions.
5. Flexibility
Selecting servers that are highly flexible and can be easily integrated with other IT systems and applications, ensuring that the business can take advantage of new technologies and tools as they become available. Look for features like modular design, virtualization support, API integration, and advanced management tools when shopping for servers.
6. Simplification
Simplify IT management and reduce the time and effort required to maintain and manage IT systems by investing in servers that streamline processes.
- Look for servers with automated deployment capabilities, such as Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Red Hat Satellite, to simplify the deployment and management of operating systems, software updates, and patches.
- Servers with integrated management tools, such as HPE iLO or Dell OpenManage, can help simplify IT management by providing a single interface for monitoring, managing, and configuring server hardware and software.
- Servers that integrate with cloud platforms, such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS), can help simplify IT management by providing a single interface for managing and monitoring both on-premises and cloud-based resources.
7. Virtualization
Increase efficiency, reduce hardware requirements, and provide greater flexibility in managing workloads by refreshing servers with modern virtualization capabilities.
