Servers are at the heart of your company’s IT infrastructure, but if you don’t have an IT background, you might not know what a server is or why it’s so important. I’ll answer five fundamental server questions, including how to choose and maintain the best entry-level server.
Small to medium-sized businesses (SMB) interact with IT staff or vendors, you’ve probably heard the term “server” a lot. You know how expensive servers are, whether you have purchased your server(s), paid for cloud servers, or both.
Protect your investment and avoid downtime without being a server expert. On the other hand, knowing the answers to these five fundamental questions about servers for small and medium-sized businesses will help you make informed decisions.
What Is a Server?
Super-Basic Definition of a Server
When a “client” requests data, a “server” responds. Servers can connect to a company’s network via wired or wireless connections.
“Server”: Confusing. Hardware and Software
A server is a program or piece of software. However, “server” is also commonly used to refer to the computer system that runs server programs.
Example: How a Server Sent You This Web Page
Assume you typed “What does a server do?” into the Chrome search bar. This page was requested by your “client device” (computer, mobile phone, tablet, etc.). A web server returned this page in response to Chrome’s request, and Chrome is now displaying it to you. The procedure is explained in a very simplified manner. Multiple servers may have handled your request so that you may have received this page.
Other Servers You Probably Use Every Day:
- Your email account is hosted on a mail server that sends and receives emails from other accounts.
- A file server centrally stores data files so that clients on the network can access them.
- An audio/video server allows you to broadcast multimedia content via streaming.
- Your email account is hosted on a mail server that sends and receives emails from other accounts.
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What do Servers Do for Small to Medium-Sized Businesses?
The majority of SMBs use servers primarily for these purposes. Email hosting for a particular domain.
- Keeping records.
- Connect to the company’s network remotely via a virtual private network (VPN).
- Control which users in your organization’s IT environment can access which resources.
- Maintain their website.
- Perform e-commerce.
- Run resource-intensive business applications such as human resources, accounting, and customer relationship management to eliminate employees needing to install them on their computers.
- Data archiving.
Most of these servers run in the background, enabling the everyday tools and applications you use.
Security: The common thread in server capabilities
All of the preceding business operations incorporate security. Because networked servers are the central hub for everything, securing the environment with firewalls, password-protected resources, and other security measures is easier.
A centralized location for your data and applications is essential. Still, it also means that a hacker who gains access to your servers can rule your virtual realm. Knowledgeable IT security professionals must monitor servers if you have them.
Which is Better, On-Site or Cloud Servers?
Choosing a server’s location—on-premises or cloud—is crucial. Both options have advantages and disadvantages; your needs will ultimately determine the best option. On-premises servers are physical servers that are kept on your premises. They give you complete control over your data and infrastructure and the ability to customize your entry-level server to meet your specific requirements. Because they do not rely on external networks for data transmission, on-premises servers can be faster than cloud servers.
On-premises servers necessitate a significant capital outlay for hardware and software and ongoing maintenance and upgrades. You will also need to provide adequate space and cooling for the servers, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
Cloud servers are hosted remotely by a third party. They offer simple scalability, allowing you to add or remove resources as needed. Cloud servers include redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities to ensure your data is always secure.
How Do I Choose the Best In-House Server for My Size of Business?
Choosing the best internal server for your company can be difficult. It would help if you considered several factors before making your final decision. Choose the best internal server for your company’s size with these tips.
Assess Your Business Needs
Selecting an internal server begins with thoroughly assessing your company’s requirements. Consider the server’s expected user base, data volume, applications, and programs. This information can determine the server’s processing power, memory requirements, storage capacity, and other crucial business features.
Consider Scalability
Scalability should be considered when selecting internal servers. Over time, your company may expand, necessitating the management of more users and data. Choose a server that can handle increasing hardware and software demands without incurring excessive costs or experiencing prolonged downtime.
Cost-effectiveness
Most businesses must deal with financial constraints. When selecting an internal entry-level server, cost-effectiveness should be prioritized. When evaluating entry-level server options, consider the total cost of ownership (TCO). The purchase price, maintenance costs, energy consumption, and support costs all contribute to the total cost of ownership.
How do you Protect Your Investment in On-Site Servers?
Protecting your investment in on-site servers is essential. Here are some precautions you can take to keep your hardware and data safe:
- Regularly back up your data: Make sure to back up all your essential information and data in case of system failure or cyber-attack. Having an offsite backup system in place can help minimize downtime and costs associated with data recovery.
- Install the latest security patches: Regularly update your server’s software and security patches. It will ensure your system has the most up-to-date defense against malicious attacks or vulnerabilities.
- Monitor and control access to the server: It’s important to monitor who is accessing the server and which resources they are accessing. To do this, consider putting user authentication systems in place, such as multi-factor authentication for logging in and out of the server.
- Use firewalls for additional protection: Firewalls provide an added layer of security and can block unwanted traffic from reaching the server. It can help protect against malware and viruses and reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
Key Takeaways
Using an entry-level server for SMBs is a cost-effective and efficient way to grow your business. It offers a reliable and secure infrastructure that enables remote access, backups, and centralized data storage. When properly configured, this server can help you maximize productivity, improve collaboration, and improve data security in your small or medium-sized business. Technology is essential in running modern businesses, but so is cutting costs. So, why not buy a small business server? This investment could be the key to unlocking a world of new opportunities for your company.
With years of experience in the industry, ICT Distribution Nepal is a trusted HPE server distributor in the country. So if you are looking for quality HPE servers at competitive prices, look no further – ICT Distribution Nepal is here to serve you!
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