What is a rack server? A rack mount server is a computer that is designed to be set in a shelf-like structure called a server rack. Since rack servers are smaller than tower servers, they can be positioned in a bay. This means you can stack multiple rack servers on top of each other. The bay, or server rack, can accommodate all servers, storage units, security appliances, and similar devices you may need in a single space. Therefore, one of the advantages of rack servers is their space-saving feature.
Rack servers exist as a low-profile configuration as opposed to more upright tower servers built into a previous vertically standing cabinet unit. Efficient and time-saving, Rack Servers consolidate network resources and minimize square footage. PeerSpot IT key opinion leaders find measurable ROI by deploying these versatile and economically feasible additions to essential business workloads, with agility and scalability.
PeerSpot IT experts are looking for quality components when configuring Rack Servers. It is essential for a Rack Server’s configuration to have simple cable component connectivity. It must have a special cooling system for excessive heat buildup when squeezing so much into such a confined and limited space.
Many infrastructure managers value server density as a quality of rack servers. Density refers to the amount of compute capacity that can be placed on a single rack. This may be measured by processor cores per rack or compute cycles per rack. It’s a constant balancing act, with the desire for density being offset by the realities of heat and energy use. The more compute density in a rack, the more heat it generates (and the more cooling it will require) and the more energy it will consume.
PeerSpot experts are motivated to vertically scale Rack Servers, which adhere to an IEEE IT standard. They are configured in multiples, as loaded but compact physical servers. Rack Servers deliver an opportunity to install many other IT devices within the structure, which also adhere to the IEEE standard, such as SAN devices, Power Backup devices, and Rack Consoles. The addition of Rack Servers adds value to an IT team as hardware vendors are providing software tools to help teams manage servers and often the devices themselves.
You can often find rack servers in data centers because of the scalability they provide. Assembling the servers on racks also maximizes air flow and simplifies maintenance and diagnostics. If there is a problem, you can just slide the server out of the rack.
A type of rack server called a rugged rack server is often used in military and industrial applications. These servers are certified to military standards and stress-tested to work under extreme heat or cold, impact, high humidity, or vibration during transport.
One of the characteristics of rack servers is their convenience. IT personnel can slide them in and out of the server bay with ease. This feature enables technicians to swap parts if needed without the need for downtime.
The resources, services, and performance of the server will depend on the needs of a program or application that works on the server. Different use cases require unique server configurations and resources. For instance, a server installed in a remote military installation will require mobility, which a server installed in a commercial warehouse will not.
The number of servers a bay can hold will depend on the depth of the rack and its width. Most rack servers’ width is 19 inches, to fit a standard 19-inch server rack configuration.
Industry racks come in 19-inch, 23-inch and 24-inch widths. The height of the server bays is measured in rack units. A rack unit is 1.75 inches, and the most common rack heights are 42 and 44 units. Since this is equivalent to 77 inches of usable space, it allows you to stack a lot of servers.
Blade servers are the smallest in terms of size. They consist of a thin, lightweight, modular computer that can be positioned upright without taking much space. They often sit inside racks in what is called “blade enclosures” or systems. Blade servers are smaller and more mobile than rack servers.
Blade servers are, like rack servers, slideable and can be swapped hot. As such, they can be easily scaled and upgraded. They also consume less power than tower and rack mount servers. The downside of blade servers is that they are limited in their expandability because of their small size.
As a general rule, servers are more expensive than consumer-grade computers. They are designed, built, and tested to a stricter standard, thus vendors can charge more. A rack server can go from $400 and upwards, depending on the chassis. A mobile chassis, like the ones used for military operations, can be $1000 or more.
Rack servers offer much greater storage capacity than blade servers but still in a small, stackable size. Their convenience makes them more in demand, hence they cost more.
Rack servers are smaller than tower servers, and they are mounted inside a rack. These racks look like regular metal shelf units, designed to stack a server on each shelf. The rack server is designed so you can vertically stack one over another. Therefore, they are very convenient to use and occupy less space than a tower server.
Often, the rack server is housed with other devices together, like storage units, cooling systems, SAN devices, batteries, network peripherals, and more.They are easier to organize because of the presence of management tools in the rack.
Because of this convenience, it is easier to identify, remove, and replace a malfunctioning server. Rack servers are the best choice for small businesses or wherever you need to maximize server space without having a dedicated server room.
If you are looking to have a small-sized server but still have a lot of storage and performance, a rack server has several advantages:
A rack server unit should contain the following basic components:
