November 6, 2009 at 17:05How is a single-processor tower server different from a desktop?
A small company that decides to buy its first server often discovers that the SMP models of tower single-processor servers (for example, HP ProLiant ML 110, ML115, and ML310) differ little from a regular desktop not only in case dimensions, but also in such parameters as processor clock speed, RAM and hard disk capacity. However, if you more carefully analyze the server configuration, you will find serious differences.
Let's start with the processor. The younger models of tower servers use the Xeon or Opteron processor, although Pentium or Celeron is also supported as an option. Xeon and Opteron have a higher amount of internal cache than processors designed for desktop PCs (if Intel processors for desktops do not exceed 3 MB, then younger Xeon models have a cache from 6 to 12 MB), which means higher performance with running most applications. As a result, a single-processor server handles user requests faster than a desktop, and this directly translates into improving the productivity of employees in a small office. In addition, Xeon and Opteron are specially designed for servers, therefore they are designed for more severe operating conditions than processors on desktop PCs and are able to work continuously for several days.
The second difference is a powerful disk subsystem that supports both standard SATA 7200 rpm desktop hard drives and 10 or 15 thousand rpm SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) hard drives. The use of SAS disks significantly improves the read / write speed of applications with intensive access to a storage system, such as a database. In addition, SAS drives have higher reliability than SATA disks and are capable of processing read / write requests around the clock. As a rule, even the younger models of tower servers are equipped with a hardware RAID controller for combining internal server disks into a RAID array, which increases the overall performance of the disk subsystem and protects data in the event of failure of one of the server disks.
Finally, many tower server models support hot-swapping of a failed disk without turning off the machine (this function is practically not used in desktops, which are usually used with only one hard drive), which minimizes damage from hard drive failure. Also, to protect against data corruption due to errors in RAM, the servers use DDR ECC parity memory modules.
Another important difference between the entry-level server and the desktop is its advanced remote management capabilities.. For example, in the HP ProLiant ML 110 and 115, a special HP ProLiant Lights-Out 100c Remote Management Card is installed, with which you can remotely monitor the status of the server and perform its diagnostics (in the more advanced HP ProLiant ML 310, the iLO2 controller is installed, which implements an extremely powerful functionality of remote management and maintenance of HP ProLiant multiprocessor). Since the main buyers of these HP ProLiant models are small companies that often do not have their own system administrator, using this controller, HP technical support can diagnose malfunctions, and the server owner does not have to spend money on calling a specialist from the service center or transport the server there .
We should not forget that unlike desktops that their manufacturers do not intend to use as a server, all HP ProLiant ML models are certified for compatibility with Microsoft Windows server editions and come with wizards for quick server deployment on the network, which ensures that computer compatibility issues with the server operating system and network environment.
The HP ProLiant ML case design itself is designed to simplify changes in the configuration of their internal components, and if, as its local network develops, the company wants to assemble all its computer equipment in a 19-inch rack, these servers can be easily transformed from a special set of parts from tower in rack .
Thus, the entry-level tower servers of ProLiant ML surpass conventional desktops not only in terms of performance, but also in terms of quick commissioning and prevention of failures, so their use as the core of a local network guarantees efficient and reliable operation of the IT infrastructure of a small office.
Let's start with the processor. The younger models of tower servers use the Xeon or Opteron processor, although Pentium or Celeron is also supported as an option. Xeon and Opteron have a higher amount of internal cache than processors designed for desktop PCs (if Intel processors for desktops do not exceed 3 MB, then younger Xeon models have a cache from 6 to 12 MB), which means higher performance with running most applications. As a result, a single-processor server handles user requests faster than a desktop, and this directly translates into improving the productivity of employees in a small office. In addition, Xeon and Opteron are specially designed for servers, therefore they are designed for more severe operating conditions than processors on desktop PCs and are able to work continuously for several days.
The second difference is a powerful disk subsystem that supports both standard SATA 7200 rpm desktop hard drives and 10 or 15 thousand rpm SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) hard drives. The use of SAS disks significantly improves the read / write speed of applications with intensive access to a storage system, such as a database. In addition, SAS drives have higher reliability than SATA disks and are capable of processing read / write requests around the clock. As a rule, even the younger models of tower servers are equipped with a hardware RAID controller for combining internal server disks into a RAID array, which increases the overall performance of the disk subsystem and protects data in the event of failure of one of the server disks.
Finally, many tower server models support hot-swapping of a failed disk without turning off the machine (this function is practically not used in desktops, which are usually used with only one hard drive), which minimizes damage from hard drive failure. Also, to protect against data corruption due to errors in RAM, the servers use DDR ECC parity memory modules.
Another important difference between the entry-level server and the desktop is its advanced remote management capabilities.. For example, in the HP ProLiant ML 110 and 115, a special HP ProLiant Lights-Out 100c Remote Management Card is installed, with which you can remotely monitor the status of the server and perform its diagnostics (in the more advanced HP ProLiant ML 310, the iLO2 controller is installed, which implements an extremely powerful functionality of remote management and maintenance of HP ProLiant multiprocessor). Since the main buyers of these HP ProLiant models are small companies that often do not have their own system administrator, using this controller, HP technical support can diagnose malfunctions, and the server owner does not have to spend money on calling a specialist from the service center or transport the server there .
We should not forget that unlike desktops that their manufacturers do not intend to use as a server, all HP ProLiant ML models are certified for compatibility with Microsoft Windows server editions and come with wizards for quick server deployment on the network, which ensures that computer compatibility issues with the server operating system and network environment.
The HP ProLiant ML case design itself is designed to simplify changes in the configuration of their internal components, and if, as its local network develops, the company wants to assemble all its computer equipment in a 19-inch rack, these servers can be easily transformed from a special set of parts from tower in rack .
Thus, the entry-level tower servers of ProLiant ML surpass conventional desktops not only in terms of performance, but also in terms of quick commissioning and prevention of failures, so their use as the core of a local network guarantees efficient and reliable operation of the IT infrastructure of a small office.