Servers
File Server Computers
Servers are central computers that hold your data files
(they serve up your files, hence the name file server). Servers are contrasted by workstations which are computers
for each employee that run the application programs (like WORD and MONDO CONDO) but hopefully do not hold
any data files. Since the servers are
servicing more than one work station, they should be the fastest, most robust
computers in the office. The file server
is the computer that is the repository for all of your data files (as
contrasted to application or program files).
While your data could be spread across several work station computers,
it is usually better to store all of the client data on one computer (the
server) because this makes it easier to administer, safeguard, and backup the
data. A server should have the following features:
DEDICATED. The SERVER should not double as a workstation
but should be dedicated as a SERVER. A
"dedicated server" is a computer used as a file server which is used
ONLY for the storage of data. A
non-dedicated server is a file server which is also used as a computer
workstation. A dedicated server is the
preferred solution. Non-dedicated
servers may be locked up by the user and need to be rebooted or may
inadvertantly be turned off and in these cases the entire network will go down
resulting in possible loss of data.
Solution: use a dedicated server
to minimize loss of data.
GIGABYTE ETHERNET Connection to the Office Switch (HUB).
RAID Backup.
REDUNDANCY. Since the server is the heart of your
computer network, it pays to have it consist of redundant pieces. Totally redundant servers have dual power
supplies, dual CPU chips, dual LAN connections and redundant hard drives via
RAID arrays. These redundant servers are
extremely costly and necessary only
for life and death applications such as hospitals and fire departments. A management company does not need this level
of service and surely cannot afford the cost.
We think a better solution is to have the server hard drive mirrored
(see RAID) and removable. Then have an
identical hardware setup in a workstation.
If the server fails, pop out the hard drive tray and slam into the
identical workstation. You are up and
running in a few minutes at a fraction of the cost AND you had the use of the
additional workstation.
Removable Backup.
SATA type hard drives.
UPS Power.
Windows 2000 Server or Windows 2003 Server Software.