Servers
Recommended Server Manufacturers Custom-built Servers
About
A file server (server) provides the central repository for data files for a workgroup or company. It is essential that it be reliable, that it have data redundancy and redundant components in some cases. The server can provide other shared resources such as CD ROMS, printers, modems and in-house email services.
Servers are categorized by their importance to the ability of an organization to do business. A company doing e-commerce on the server would say their server is "mission critical." This means they could not have any down time. This would require redundancy at the server level - two servers with mirrored data and applications. Another company who shares a major application on either a local or wide area network may consider theirs to be "near-mission critical." Down time of one day could be tolerated. Here redundant power supplies, data mirroring to separate devices, and a reliable data backup system within the server will suffice. A company that could tolerate being without the file server for two or more days would configure their server with redundant data storage and a reliable data backup system and classify their server is "non-mission critical.".
Use the examples above to determine what you need to specify for your fileserver. All fileservers should be on a battery backup with surge protection and noise filtering. Additional factors that you need to consider when specifying your server are:
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primary application(s) (is it to be client server) resource requirements (memory and storage),
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how many concurrent users,
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how many simultaneous open files,
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will anti-virus protection be installed at the server level,
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will applications be shared from the server or reside on the workstations,
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...
Servers built by major manufacturers can incorporate proprietary components that make you a captive of their support offerings. We do not recommend such servers be used. The links below are to our recommended fileserver manufacturers. Our custom-built fileservers are tremendous values, but should not be considered for near-mission or mission critical situations.
Recommended Server Manufacturers
Drop shipping your server to our lab in Barrington will facilitate the installation and setup process for:
- Custom configuration to meet your company's specific computing needs;.
- Your applications can be preloaded, email accounts setup, and security logins created prior to delivery to hold down your on-site professional fees.
Custom-built Servers
Key Benefits
- Genuine Intel® Processors
- ASUS® and Intel® Motherboards
- Genuine Microsoft Windows® NT and Novell Netware®, properly licensed and installed
- Offered components are the "best-of-the-best" available in the market (we will source to your specifications as well)
- Systems are custom configured to meet your company's specific computing needs in our lab and can be delivered ready to operate in your network.
- Your applications can be preloaded, email accounts setup, and security logins created prior to delivery to hold down your on-site professional fees.
Lead times are dependent on production conditions in the Western Pacific basin (fires, earthquakes, volcanoes, typhoons, etc.) and the season (Christmas demand begins in September each year).