What is a Rack Server?

There are several types of rugged computers out there supporting a variety of different military, industrial, and commercial applications. The most common, however, is the unmistakable rack server. These slidable, hot-swappable, high-powered rugged computers are ideal for harsh environments and programs emphasizing space conservation, scalability, upgradability, and expandability.

What is a Rack Server?

A rack server, also called a rack-mounted server, is a computer dedicated to use as a server and designed to be installed in a framework called a rack. The rack contains multiple mounting slots called bays, each designed to hold a hardware unit secured in place with screws. A rack server has a low-profile enclosure, in contrast to a tower server, which is built into an upright, standalone cabinet.

A single rack can contain multiple servers stacked one above the other, consolidating network resources and minimizing the required floor space. The rack server configuration also simplifies cabling among network components. In an equipment rack filled with servers, a special cooling system is necessary to prevent excessive heat buildup that would otherwise occur when many power-dissipating components are confined in a small space.

How does a Rack Server work?

Instead of a large tower, a rack server is a standard width, height, and depth that fits into a rack mount. The components are compact so they fit into the server chassis, but the way a server executes applications is the same to end users and administrators. Rack servers usually have higher-end components than a standard small business server such as a tower, but it works in the same way.

One aspect of a rack server that is different from a tower is the noise that is created by fans used to cool them. The high-powered computing resources generate more heat than a standard computer, so they need additional cooling. The fans are loud, making most server rooms noisy.

Why are Rack Servers popular?

Rack servers are the workhorses of the IT world, used in companies of all sizes. And that’s not surprising. Rack servers can offer you many clear advantages over other server configurations, including:

• Consolidated server and network control: Not only can you put all your server units in one place, but most rack servers offer the ability to install a network switch. And that’s an enormous time saver. Network managers can simply connect all the servers into a single switch to quickly bring the servers online.
• Scalability: Need to upgrade? Need to add more server units? It’s not a problem with rack servers. Most units simply slide in the slot and are secured with screws. Reprogramming a unit or adding a new one can be a simple matter of getting out your screwdriver.
• Convenience: Racks can be stored horizontally, with most racks allowing servers to be locked into a low, space-saving profile. Rack servers are easy to move and easy to position in tight spaces, even when server racks are stacked. However, it’s important to remember that the more server units get added to your server rack, the heavier, warmer, and more power-intensive it will be. It’s important to have your rack server in a cool, low-dust environment. And keep in mind, the more server units you have, the more provisions you need to make for cooling equipment.
• Compact: Each rack server fits neatly into a 19-inch by 1.75-inch enclosure. Each of those 1.75-inch-high rack units is abbreviated as U, with a typical full-size rack cage being 42U, and hardware typically measured in heights of 1U, 2U, 3U, and 4U.

What components do Rack Servers contain?

The exact make and model of components you need will depend on your specific IT requirements. For instance, if you’re carrying out load-intensive tasks, you will likely need DDR4 server memory which will increase bandwidth and reduce voltage. Basic components that every rack server chassis must contain:

• A motherboard (also known as a system board). This enables communication between components via data buses.
• A CPU (Central Processing Unit), is also known as a processor. Responsible for executing start instructions.
• RAM (Random Access Memory), otherwise known as server memory. The more slots you have, the more server memory modules you can add, which reduces the chances of bottlenecking and increases the speed of data access.
• A HBA (Host Bus Adapter), connects external devices to your server.
• I/O Ports (such as USC, serial port, or AUX port), are almost always embedded into the system board.
• Drive bays, to add hard drives (HDDs) or Solid State Drives (SSD) to your server.
• Supporting equipment including rails, cable management bars, and a cooling system to prevent rack servers from overheating.

Conclusion

If you have a small network with tower servers, rack servers are a step in the right direction for enterprise-level networking. They provide more computing power in a fraction of the space, so they can save you money on real estate. You need the right environment, cooling, and humidity control for your server room to host these machines, but if you install every server properly, you can power a large enterprise office with just a few servers.