What is a server???

[shadowz0]

so, i have a dell poweredge R710, can someone explain to me the capabilities of a server? Currently i only have 6 slots with 3 filled with empty covers and would requesting a new hard drive be hard or expensive

currently it is used as a file server storing files, what benefit does it offer over a small business NAS like the Qnap TS series??

 

[ArmedandDamgerous]

Server hard drives are definitely more expensive, and you would do best to buy them from Dell directly. Not sure about the R710 as the specs seem to be missing, but I would assume it's using 2.5" SAS HDD's.

Depending on the NIC on the server, it could either be a Gigabit or 10Gbit interface, which provides a ton more throughput and less CPU overhead for multiple users. Also, since it's running on Xeons, you will probably never ever stress it out if it's just for file transfers and used as storage.

 

[shadowz0]

Ok thanks, so technically it's a more powerful NAS??

 

[ArmedandDamgerous]

Ok thanks, so technically it's a more powerful NAS??

A server is just the same as a PC, except it's optimized for heavy use 24/7 with different part qualities. Since you are only using it as a file server, then yes it's a much more powerful NAS.

 

[shadowz0]

What else can it do besides being a file server?? Having invested so much on it does not seem viable for it to be just a file server

 

[ArmedandDamgerous]

Who bought the server lol? Why do you have a R710 when nobody know what it does D: Just curious~

 

[ArcticCheetah]

It helps you increase the numbers on your power
bills. Xeon does not help the least in I/O.
File server is better having Storage redundancy, caching, multi ethernet ports teaming for increase bandwidth and SSDs if you are feeling rich enough.

 

[alifffresto]

What else can it do besides being a file server?? Having invested so much on it does not seem viable for it to be just a file server

Im a noob so here it goes.

There are many types of servers ie tower, rack,blade. Even an normal desktop can be used as one...
my easiest explanation would be a single setup that many other setup can access to.
Like a refrigerator(server) full of food(user).

Usage of server would be ie files and database, gpu simulation, networking data. And the best part is running simultaneous application at the same time @ 24/7

And again i'm new so not sure whether this is simplified enough.

"Having invested so much..."

 

[shadowz0]

Well the company I work for paid quite a lot for a server(IT contractor say useful lol) just for storing excel files and random video files @.@ which does not make any sense to me lol, accessing it only at office hours making the purchase of the server redundant. might as well use a NAS, also have the same user control for higher end smb NAS

The current setup is just a 2 tb hard drive with 1.5tb used for networked storage (which is damn small IMO) not even running in any raid config
Sorry just started intern so still "fresh". thanks for everyone for the valuable insights though.

 

[ArmedandDamgerous]

Well the company I work for paid quite a lot for a server(IT contractor say useful lol) just for storing excel files and random video files @.@ which does not make any sense to me lol, accessing it only at office hours making the purchase of the server redundant. might as well use a NAS, also have the same user control for higher end smb NAS

The current setup is just a 2 tb hard drive with 1.5tb used for networked storage (which is damn small IMO) not even running in any raid config
Sorry just started intern so still "fresh". thanks for everyone for the valuable insights though.

Your company got con big time...

 

[escksu]

Oh, hardware wise, server is not that different from PC. They are all mass produced components. But server has extra monitoring features and redundancy features.

Eg. PSU. Many servers allow 2 PSU so that if 1 fails, it will auto fallover to the other.

there are other monitoring features as well. It can monitor fans etc as well and trigger failure alerts. It also has hotswap for HDD and auto rebuild RAID arrays etc..... multiple LAN.

Server also has support which is far better than any PC other there (expensive of course). Eg. 2hrs response time.

 

[escksu]

so, i have a dell poweredge R710, can someone explain to me the capabilities of a server? Currently i only have 6 slots with 3 filled with empty covers and would requesting a new hard drive be hard or expensive

currently it is used as a file server storing files, what benefit does it offer over a small business NAS like the Qnap TS series??

As I have mentioned previously, its not just the hardware that matters, there is support as well. If you buy a NAS from SLS, do you think you can get 2/4hrs response?

So, it depends on your budget and what you need. For my company, the servers are on 24/7 2hrs as they are critical. Tape backup less critical so NBD support.

 

[ArcticCheetah]

Let me share with you google strategy.
A lot of cheap hardware with data redundancy is better than expensive single solution.
No need to thank me.

Oh, hardware wise, server is not that different from PC. They are all mass produced components. But server has extra monitoring features and redundancy features.

Eg. PSU. Many servers allow 2 PSU so that if 1 fails, it will auto fallover to the other.

there are other monitoring features as well. It can monitor fans etc as well and trigger failure alerts. It also has hotswap for HDD and auto rebuild RAID arrays etc..... multiple LAN.

Server also has support which is far better than any PC other there (expensive of course). Eg. 2hrs response time.

 

[escksu]

Let me share with you google strategy.
A lot of cheap hardware with data redundancy is better than expensive single solution.
No need to thank me.

Its the support that is expensive. 24/7 2hrs is very expensive.....

Btw, if you have almost a hundred servers, you will appreciate all the monitoring features built-in.......

 

[ArmedandDamgerous]

Any company who buys a server better have someone to maintain it.. if just rely on provided tech assistance from vendor, you gonna have stupid amounts of downtime. My company runs about 600+ servers with a 8 man IT team, myself included.

 

[escksu]

Any company who buys a server better have someone to maintain it.. if just rely on provided tech assistance from vendor, you gonna have stupid amounts of downtime. My company runs about 600+ servers with a 8 man IT team, myself included.

Fully agreed. You need someone to maintain the server. My coy has a full IT dept and with own helpdesk for the staff as well. IT is very important to my coy cause we depend on it for business....lol.....

Even got nice uncle and aunties who will help us to change tapes....

 

[ArcticCheetah]

Its the support that is expensive. 24/7 2hrs is very expensive.....

Btw, if you have almost a hundred servers, you will appreciate all the monitoring features built-in.......

They automated it with their intelligent customware.
Their techs are not cheaper faster better categories.
Their system is designed to fail.

 

[ArmedandDamgerous]

They automated it with their intelligent customware.
Their techs are not cheaper faster better categories.
Their system is designed to fail.

I don't even know what you are trying to say lol.

 

[ArcticCheetah]

I don't even know what you are trying to say lol.

Designed with failures in mind. Designed to fail.
I didn't coin this term.