First, we need to establish what the definition of a server is. As stated in CompTIA?s Server+ book, a server is:

?Technically any computer that provides a service on a network. Logically, however, a server can also contain advanced hardware, software, and services that you will not see on any other types of computers. Additional emphasis is placed on server downtime due to their multi-user functionality and general higher profile within a corporation.?

So it appears that while technically a server doesn?t have to be powerful in terms of hardware it generally does have faster, more reliable, higher quality components because of the important role it typically plays in a company. Since servers are often

Not to be outdone in the mass storage arena is a relatively little known technology called Fibre Channel and is generally used in only the most elaborate systems. Without going into too much detail, as a whole paper could be written on Fibre Channel alone, it basically uses fiber optics to connect drives together, however, there are implementations which actually use copper wires instead of fiber optics to connect the drives. So despite its name fiber optics are not always used in Fibre Channel systems. Using copper, distances of up to 30 meters can be reached and up to 10km can be attained using single mode fiber. Speeds can reach 200MBps in full duplex mode and up to 127 devices are supported in what is known as a FC-AL or Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop which is probably the most widely used form of FC. Although it?s been said that FC will eventually replace SCSI, currently it can be terribly expensive and is necessary only in the most demanding and complex networks.

The motherboard, which rounds out the foundation, is a pivotal choice since it dictates expansion capabilities, and is basically the heart of your computer. Without a good motherboard your server is practically worthless, plain and simple. No skimping should be done here. And it?s not so much a question of features or performance as it is stability. There is no question that, for a server, stability is an absolute must. Everything else is secondary. Intel is one manufacturer that produces server motherboards and they are particularly known for stability. Other manufacturers known for their server products include Tyan and Supermicro. Many of these boards come with video integrated which is perfectly acceptable since servers don?t require much in the way of graphics. Another item which you may also see integrated into these server boards is Ethernet. This is generally acceptable too as most of these Ethernet controllers are specifically designed for server use.

As you have no doubt noticed, server hardware is a fairly broad topic and most of the items discussed here could each have their own research papers but hopefully you now have an idea of what makes a server and what doesn?t. It can be difficult to discern what is and isn?t server hardware but the main point to be made is that servers ordinarily undergo more stress and are required to perform more intensive tasks than desktops or workstations along with speed and accuracy all while being available 24/7 with little to no downtime. That?s a lot to ask from a PC, especially one with just a Cyrix PR-200+, 16MB of EDO RAM, a 1.2GB hard drive, and a 200 watt power supply? don?t you think?

Many people think that Intel is the only company out there when it comes to server CPUs but there is nothing wrong with AMD especially if you are on a tight budget. AMD?s ?Athlon MP? processors allow you to run two Athlons in SMP. Intel?s Pentium II/III can also be run in two-way SMP. And if that isn?t quite enough, Intel?s Xeon line of processors allow for four to eight way SMP systems. The clock speeds on these processors range anywhere from about 400MHz to 2.5GHz+ and include different L2 cach

Some topics in this essay:
Sun IBM, FC FC, CompTIAs Server+, Yes IDE, IBM Power4, EDO RAM, Fibre Channel, Error-Correcting Code, IDE RAID, Operating System, power supply, server hardware, fibre channel, fiber optics, xeon based, type memory, ide raid, raid controllers, based systems, based server, fiber optics connect, watt power supply, 200 watt power, optics connect drives, xeon based server,