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Custodian
offer independent consultancy for your server solutions. Not being
tied into any one manufacture ensures we can offer
you the best solution for hardware.
Considerations:
When
choosing the hardware for a application server, there are a number
of points to be considered.
Processor Type:
- Single or Dual Pentium
The Pentium 3 processor is a fine workhorse for small to medium office
environment. It's low cost and ability to work in dual processor
applications makes it an ideal choice for entry and mid-level servers.
The latest Pentium 3 CPU's have 512KB of embedded cache to increase
performance.
- Single Pentium 4
Again, for entry to mid level servers, the Pentium 4 offers excellent
performance for the cost. It is only available in single processor
options, which limits it's scalability somewhat, however for standard
office network applications it remains an excellent choice.
- Single or Dual Athlon MP
The Athlon MP processor offers a much higher level of performance
than both the Pentium 3 and 4. It has a particularly fast mathematics
processor on board, making this an ideal choice for numerical intensive
applications. Large databases running on SQL, and indeed other applications
that are CPU intensive will run exceptionally well on the Athlon
MP processor platform. The Athlon MP is available in singe and dual
processor configurations.
- Single or Dual Xeon with Hyperthreading
For really top, scaleable performance, the Intel Xeon processor is
an excellent choice. Surprisingly affordable the Xeon will scale
up to four processors in some configurations and also includes Hyperthreading.
Hyperthreading is a process which allows multiple threads to run
concurrently on a single processor, giving the effect of more processors
in a system than there actually are.
Disk
Size and Type:
- IDE or SCSI?
Choosing the interface to the disks may seem like a trivial choice,
but it can make all the difference to the overall performance of
your server. Most servers performance is affected by the speed at
which data can be moved to and from the storage subsystem. Choosing
a storage interface that is not suited to the overall specification
of the server can have adverse affects.
- Multiple Disks? RAID?
Having more than one single disk in the server can become difficult
to manage, give multiple drive letters and generally cause a system
administration headaches. If additional storage and some failure
tolerance are a requirement then RAID is well worth considering.
- Why Use RAID?
Redundant Array of Independent Disks, (RAID) gives the advantages
of enhanced performance, large arrays of disks acting as one single
storage area and fault tolerance, depending on the RAID level chosen.
- RAID Level 0
RAID 0 simply means striping data across two disks to offer the advantage
of greater performance and storage capacity. It has no redundancy
and if any single disk fails the entire array is lost. RAID 0 is
suited to applications where fast data transfer and large storage
capacity are required, but not where files will be stored permanently
due to the increased risk of data loss. File servers will not generally
use RAID 0
- RAID Level 1
RAID 1 is the simplest RAID level offering failure tolerance. Data
is “Mirrored” onto two disks, giving single disk failure
tolerance. Available storage capacity is limited to the size of
one disk only. For SME file servers RAID 1 is extremely common.
- RAID Level 5
RAID 5 is a slightly more complicated RAID Level. It combines data
striping across multiple (minimum of 3) disks with distributed parity
for data protection in the even of a disk failure. The entire array
can be seen by the operating system as one “Logical Disk” making
managing the storage space simple for the system administrator.
Extremely large arrays can be created using RAID 5 which is a common
RAID level
for use in file servers.
Network
Interface:
A
common current standard is 10/100Mbps. There is, however,
a rapid migration to Gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps) so installing
two network
cards, with at least one being Gigabit is recommended.
Case
Options:
Pedestal,
often called Tower systems are the preferred choice for
the
office environment. Trident
branded
servers are
available in black
or beige. If
the server
is to
be rack mounted we can also supply a range or 1, 2, 4
and 5U servers to mount
into 800mm deep racks.
Backup
Solutions:
DAT,
DLT, Ultrium, VXA and autoloaders. The size and type of backup
solution is wholly determined
by the server and
backup
requirement.
Remember – we offer free advice for
choosing the backup solutions, servers and
even whole
network installations.
UPS:
Uninterruptible
Power Supplies. A must for any server,
to both condition the mains and provide a temporary power source
should
the power
fail. Giving valuable
minutes to automatically (or manually depending on the installation)
shut down the
server
is absolutely essential.
No network should
be without
one!
As
you may be aware the hardware market changes on a daily
basis. In this fast and furious market Custodian Computer Services
are
updated daily by manufactures and suppliers about new hardware
changes and current
price changes. This information is passed onto to our customers.
Always being in a position to advise and offer the best, most
cost effective solution for customer needs.
3
Years onsite warranty direct from the manufactures on most
machines. |
