The lesson my grandfather learned, and the same lesson we all learn today, is this: always get the most out of what you have. Excess doesn't really serve well in today's economy, and the same is true whether you're a small business employee or a larger business owner.
This applies especially well to computer hardware. Specifically, I'm talking about servers. Servers are one of the most expensive expenditures regarding information technologies. They can run from several hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on their capacities and the demands placed on them. Either way, they aren't cheap. So why not apply a bit of money-wise frugality to your server budget? Here are three ways to extend your server's life and get the most value for your money.
Proper Cooling. Servers run HOT. They generate a lot of heat, which can become a major problem if you have multiple servers in a single room or enclosure. Servers need to be properly cooled, an important part in maintaining efficient server operation. There are several options available for cooling servers. Tower servers have fans installed in their chassis. Blade enclosures cool each blade and manage their power. Rack optimized servers can be cooled by an enclosed or open fan system. Either way, the more consistently cool a server's temperature remains, the "healthier" your server will remain, making for much longer operational lifespan.
Regular Checkups. No, we're not talking a house-call from the Doc. But if you have an IT professional on your staff or on call, have him/her stop by on a semi-regular basis to perform maintenance on your server. They should clean parts and run diagnostics. They should be able to anticipate and prevent problems before they happen, a much easier and cost-effective solution when compared with potentially buying entirely new components/servers.
Have a reliable power source. Getting a good power source will mean steady, readily available power with redundant back-up options. If your server doesn't have a good power source, you risk all sorts of problems, from disastrous crashes to catastrophic data loss. In our company's server, we currently have two 300-2030 inputs, one active and one redundant server power supply in case of emergency.
While you will one day have to bid your server a fond ado, there are many ways in which you can stretch the value of your purchase. Proper components, maintenance, and operating environments go a long way in extending a server's life. With proper care, your server will enjoy several years of operation.
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