5 Things to Consider When Upgrading Your Servers

PC Server, Tower, Updates, upgrade hardware, Windows Server, ,
04
Sep 2018

Your server is the backbone of your organization’s IT functionality, but what do you need to consider when it’s time to upgrade?

Purchasing and installing a new server is a massive move for any organization. Install the best server for your needs and your productivity should skyrocket. Choose one that doesn’t quite fit with your business and it will seriously harm the way you’re able to operate. Therefore, choosing the correct server is important if you value your organization’s future.

Moving forward, though, isn’t always straightforward due to the complexity of such an upgrade. To help simplify matters, we’re going to share five things to consider when upgrading your servers.

  1. The Right Performance

First and foremost, you have to make sure that any potential new server is able to meet the needs of your organization’s IT needs. The main reason that an organization looks to upgrade is because the current technology isn’t able to fulfill their existing needs. Consulting with various department heads and IT professionals is essential to gauge the necessary requirements, so start by compiling this information and work from there.

  1. Is Integration Possible?

You’ve more than likely got an existing server in place, but upgrading doesn’t mean that you need to chuck your old one out with the trash. In fact, it’s possible that you’ll be able to integrate vast sections of your existing server into your new server. Not only does this potentially save you costs on new technology, but it also provides a level of consistency in terms of staff knowledge on the existing technology.

  1. Costs?

Performance, of course, is paramount, but price is equally important as all organizations work to a strict budget. Once you understand your performance needs, the next step is to evaluate which available servers meet this most closely. Technology, after all, can be costly, so you shouldn’t be paying for any technology that won’t be of use to your organization’s output.

  1. Factor in Maintenance

A brand new server is fantastic, but even the most up to date technology needs to be maintained. Any length of downtime is disastrous for any organization which understands the basics of productivity, so the shrewdest move with servers is to ensure that some form of maintenance cover is put in place. Often, there will be a warranty included with new technology, but this will always have an expiry date, so make sure you start asking about extended warranty options from an early stage.

  1. Future Upgrades?

It may seem counter-intuitive to consider future scalability as you upgrade, but looking to the future is vital when it comes to working with IT technology. The rapid pace at which technology expands means that you may need to consider growing your server a lot sooner than you expected. Discussing expansion options is crucial to safeguard against being lumbered with huge costs in the future when your existing technology is unable to expand further to keep pace.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Choosing the Best Server for your Business

PC Server, Rack Mount, Servers, Tower, Windows Server, , ,
04
Apr 2018

If you want your business to be successful and allow your team to collaborate with ease then you need a great PC server, but how do you know which is right?

You’re almost certainly aware that a server is an essential business purchase in the digital age, but do you know what a server actually does? Usually the preserve of IT professionals, servers are dedicated computers that allow you to run hardware, share resources and connect people within your organization. So, as you can tell, they’re crucial for your business to operate and boost your staff’s productivity.

Choosing the best server for your business, however, is a little more complicated due to the vast range of servers available. Naturally, this choice ensures there’s a server for every organization’s needs, but the technical specs and jargon can seem a little bewildering. Thankfully, I’m going to break this jargon down into something more digestible to help you make the right choice.

What Types of Servers are Available?

There are two types of servers most commonly seen in businesses:

  • Rack Mounted Servers: Installed within a framework known as a rack, a rack server is a computer dedicated for use as a server. Due to the racking system in place, rack servers can save you valuable space by stacking one server above the other. Rack servers also bring much more simplicity when it comes to connecting cables between individual components.
  • Tower Servers: Housed within a single, upright cabinet, a tower server contains a computer which is intended to be used as a server. These types of servers allow easier cooling of individual components and offer a scalability which allows you to constantly add new servers to your network.

 Which Operating System is Best? 

When it comes to servers, the very best option you can choose to power them is Windows Server. It may feel as though Windows Server is ubiquitous in modern computing and among your rivals, but this is for one simple reason: it’s incredibly effective.

In use, in its earliest incarnation, since 2003, Windows Server is the industry standard, so there’s not only a vast range of options contained within its shell, but there’s also an amazing amount of support available to tackle virtually any issue. There are, of course, alternative options (mostly open source software), but the support for these systems is less prevalent.

How Do You Determine Storage and Memory?

One of the most important needs of a good server is adequate storage and memory. Therefore, calculating the needs of your organization’s computer activity is crucial. Every organization is different, so you will need to analyze your digital operations closely. For example, if you run a client database which requires 1TB storage and 4GB memory then your server needs to have at least that amount of storage and memory. Chances are that your storage and memory needs will increase over time, so it’s recommended that you overbuy in terms of storage and memory to accommodate any future demands.

These are the very basics of servers, but if you can get them right then you’re laying down a fantastic foundation to help power your organization’s networks.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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