Servers

2) Core components to consider

• CPU – Intel Xeon or AMD EPYC for multi core performance and platform features like ECC and PCIe lanes

• Memory – ECC UDIMM or RDIMM for data integrity, start at 32 GB for simple roles and scale to 128 GB or more for VMs and databases

• Storage – NVMe SSDs for OS and virtualisation datastores, SAS or SATA HDDs for bulk storage, hardware RAID with cache for performance and resilience

• Networking – 2 x 1 GbE as a baseline, consider 10 GbE or 25 GbE for heavy traffic or shared storage, check SFP+ or RJ45 requirements

• Power – Redundant hot swap PSUs improve uptime in rack deployments

• Remote management – iDRAC, iLO, or IPMI for lights out control, firmware updates, and remote installs

3) Chassis and environment

• Rack depth and U height – confirm rail and cabinet depth

• Airflow – front to back for racks, clear intake space in cupboards

• Acoustics – towers are quieter, rack servers can be loud under load

• Dust and temperature – keep filters clean and ensure adequate cooling

4) Software and licensing

• Operating systems – Windows Server, major Linux distros, VMware ESXi, Hyper V, Proxmox

• Directory and identity – Active Directory, LDAP, SSO planning

• Backup and DR – snapshots, offsite replication, cloud backup, 3 2 1 rule

• Security – Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, drive encryption, MFA for remote management

Quick picks by scenario

• Best first server for SMEs – Tower Xeon, 64 GB ECC, 4 bay RAID 5, iDRAC or iLO, Windows Server

• Virtualisation host – 2U rack EPYC, 256 GB ECC, dual NVMe for datastore, dual 10 GbE, redundant PSU, ESXi or Proxmox

• Fast file server – 2U storage chassis, RAID 10 on SAS HDDs with NVMe cache, 10 GbE, snapshots

• Backup target – 12 bay ZFS system, RAID Z2, dedupe and compression, object storage support

• Edge branch – Micro server with 4 bays, 32 GB ECC, dual NIC, IPMI, Linux

Common mistakes to avoid

• Undersizing RAM for virtualisation or databases

• Using desktop non ECC parts for production data

• Choosing RAID 5 on large disks without a hot spare or cache

• Forgetting airflow and noise when installing a rack server in an office

• Skipping dual PSUs for mission critical roles

• Ignoring firmware updates and remote management security

• Buying 1 GbE when your storage or users would benefit from 10 GbE

• Running without a tested backup and recovery plan

Setup, care, and maintenance tips

• Create a build document with firmware versions, RAID layout, and OS image

• Apply latest BIOS, RAID, NIC, and BMC firmware before production

• Enable alerts in iDRAC or iLO to email hardware faults

• Separate OS, data, and backup volumes, and test restores quarterly

• Monitor temperatures and drive health with vendor tools

• Keep spare drives and a compatible USB recovery kit on site

• Clean filters and check fans on a maintenance schedule

• Review capacity and performance every 6 to 12 months

Popular sub categories

• Rack servers 1U to 4U

• Tower servers

• Storage servers and NAS

• GPU and accelerator servers

• Server memory ECC UDIMM and RDIMM

• Enterprise SSDs and SAS or SATA HDDs

• RAID controllers and HBAs

• 10 GbE or 25 GbE NICs and switches

• Rack cabinets, rails, PDUs, and UPS

• Backup software and licences

FAQs – Servers

1) What is the difference between a tower server and a rack server
A tower server is quieter and suits offices. A rack server mounts in a cabinet, is easier to scale, and is designed for data centre airflow.

2) Do I need ECC memory
Yes for production workloads. ECC reduces silent data corruption and improves stability, especially under heavy load.

3) How much RAM should I buy
For basic roles start at 32 GB. For virtualisation or databases plan 128 GB or more and leave free DIMM slots for growth.

4) Which RAID level should I choose
RAID 1 or 10 for performance and resilience, RAID 5 or 6 for capacity with redundancy, ZFS with mirrors or RAID Z2 is also popular.

5) Is 1 GbE networking enough
It works for small offices. For many users, VM traffic, or fast storage, move to 10 GbE or higher.

6) Do I need redundant power supplies
If uptime matters, yes. Dual PSUs protect against a single power failure and ease maintenance.

7) Can I virtualise on a single server
Yes, but plan backups and consider a second host or cloud for failover. Use fast NVMe and plenty of ECC RAM.

8) Which OS should I run
Windows Server for Microsoft centric networks, Linux for flexibility and cost, VMware or Proxmox for virtualisation hosts.

9) How noisy is a rack server
Racks can be loud under load. Install in a comms room or cabinet. Use tower servers if you must place hardware in an office.

10) What is remote management like iDRAC or iLO
It is a dedicated controller that lets you power cycle, view console, mount ISOs, and update firmware without being on site.

11) How do I size storage
Estimate capacity for three years, add 30 percent headroom, choose NVMe for speed and SAS or SATA for bulk, and decide on RAID based on performance and resilience needs.

12) Can I mix SSDs and HDDs
Yes. Use SSDs for OS and hot data, HDDs for bulk. Many arrays support SSD cache to accelerate HDD pools.

13) Do I need a UPS
A UPS protects against power loss and lets the server shut down cleanly. It reduces data corruption risk.

14) How often should I update firmware
Check quarterly and apply important fixes during maintenance windows. Keep BMC, BIOS, RAID, and NIC firmware current.

15) What warranty should I choose
Most business buyers pick 3 year next business day or 5 year cover. Choose response times that match your SLA.

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Browse servers across tower, rack, storage, and GPU options with ECC memory, RAID, and remote management. With expert guidance, clear specs, fast UK delivery, and trusted service since 1988, you can deploy a stable, secure, and scalable server for your business.

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