Server Hardware
Chapter 22
Release 22/10/2010
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Objectives
Explain the difference between a server and
PC
Identify the components of a server
Explain the different types of server
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Server
 To provide high availability and redundancy,
hardware used in servers are different as
compared to a normal desktop.
 Server is a device with a set of hardware and
software, provides various services to other
machines or computers on the network to do
some certain tasks.
 Servers are dedicated, high-reliability
computers that are generally used to support
multi-user business applications
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Question for GD
Time Limit – 4 Mins
What is a hardware based server?
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Difference between Server and PC - I
Server
PC
Uses Xeon or Itanium processor in Uses single desktop processor
multiple numbers
Multiple Hard disks are used
Single hard disk is used
Higher memory capacity and in Lower memory capacity and less
multiple numbers e.g. 2 or 4 or 8
in number e.g. 1 or 2.
Network capability is better
Normal network capability
Serves more number of users e.g. Are built for individual user
100 or 500 or 1000
Structure is more advanced and Simple structure
complex
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Difference between Server and PC - II
Requires redundant system to cope Doesn’t have redundant system.
with failure.
Can run 24*7
Operate for normal hours e.g. 8
hours per day
Supports hardware RAID
More number of expansion slots
More number of cooling fans e.g.
4 or 8
Huge size and weight
Can be tower or rack or blade
model
More number of SMPSs e.g. 2 or 3
which are hot swappable
Doesn’t support RAID
Less number of expansion slots
Less number of cooling fans e.g. 1
or 2
Less size and weight
Only tower model
Single normal SMPS is used
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Difference between Server and PC - III
Hot swappable hard drives are used
Cannot be assembled
Difficult troubleshooting
Requires more power and cooling
More noisy because of multiple fans
Less down time and higher availability and
fault tolerance
Manufactures are IBM, HP, Sun and Dell
Cost starting from Rs. 40000
Normal hard drive is used
Can be assembled
Easy troubleshooting
Requires less power and cooling
Less noisy
More down time and no fault tolerance
Manufactures are HCL, Wipro, Lenovo,
and Compaq
Cost starting from Rs. 20000
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Question for GD
Time Limit – 4 Mins
What is the difference between a server and
a PC?
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Types of Server
Entry Level
Mid Range
High End
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Entry Level Server
 Mainly used for running server applications such
as file sharing, print sharing, Web serving, low
volume email and business automation
applications.
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Question for GD
Time Limit – 4 Mins
Example of an entry level server?
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Mid Range Server
 A medium sized server which consists of a
platform hardware and operating system together
to support the operating environment for
applications. Mid range server comes with a built
in database to serve a smaller group of users.
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High End Server
 Provides a web hosting environment with high
server availability such as high performance,
reliability and high speed. Designed to achieve
supercomputer level of performance.
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Question for GD
Time Limit – 4 Mins
What are the different types of servers?
Sl.
Types of Servers
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Components of a Server - I
RAID Controller - A disk controller card
that supports one or more RAID
configurations.
RAID controller can either embedded in the
motherboard or come in the form of PCI
expansion cards.
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Components of a Server - II
 SAS/SCSI Hot Swappable HD - SAS/SCSI hot
swappable drives allow users to remove the
faulty hard disk and insert a new disk without
doing power off the server.
 Most of the modern server has the ability to use
hot swappable hard disks along with disk array.
 SAS/SCSI hot swappable HDs are usually
located in a caddy or tray inside the server
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Components of a Server - III
Backplane - Circuit board which connects
several connectors in parallel to each other.
Each pin of the connector connects with
corresponding pin of all other connectors
and forms a computer bus.
Server commonly has backplane to attach
hot swappable hard drives.
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Components of a Server - IV
 SCSI Cable - SCSI cables are used to connect
and transfer data between computer and
peripheral devices such hard disks. SCSI cable
length range from 6 meters to 25 meters.
 ECC RAM - Used for detecting and correcting
error during storage and transmission of data in
server. There are certain kinds of RAM which
use this technique to correct the data errors.
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Components of a Server - V
Fan - Used to remove the heat produced
inside the server. Server fans are located
inside a bay. Commonly server contains 3,
4, 6 or 8 fans to cool the system.
Hot Swappable SMPS - Two or more
SMPS are attached to a single machine. If
any one of the SMPS is not working, other
one takes the control.
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Group Activity
Time Limit – 5 Mins
Draw a window pane on different
components of a Server.
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Practical Activity
Time Limit – 49 Mins
Show these components to the students and
get the activity 1 mentioned in this chapter
done from the students.
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Summary – I
 Server is a device with a set of hardware and software, which
provides various services to other machines or computers on the
network.
 Main features, which differentiate a server from other computer
system are performance, scalability, availability, reliability and
redundancy.
 Major components of server are RAID controller, ECC memory,
Backplane, Fans, SCSI Hot swappable HDD, SCSI cables and Hot
swappable SMPS.
 RAID controller is a disk controller card that supports one or more
RAID configurations.
 SAS/SCSI hot swappable drives allows the user to remove the
faulty hard disk and insert a new disk without doing power off the
server.
 Server commonly has backplane to attach hot swappable hard
drives.
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Summary – II
 SCSI cables are used to connect and transfer data between
computer and peripheral devices such hard disks.
 ECC RAM is used for detecting and correcting error
during storage and transmission of data in server.
 Entry level servers are used to run several server
applications such as file sharing, print sharing, Web
serving, low volume email and business automation
applications.
 Mid range server is used for more intensive database
storage and retrieval functions.
 High end server provides a web hosting environment with
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high server availability.
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Explorative Work
 Refer to Internet, reference books or magazine to
get the information.
 Do not copy the information provided in this text
book.
 Consult your faculty for further guidance.
Server
Sl. Make
1
2
3
4
5
Specification
Type
Warranty
RAID Support
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Approx. Cost
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Mind Map
Draw a mind map to summarize this chapter
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