You’ve decided to buy a Dell Server; congratulations! This is a big step, and not something to take lightly. You want to make sure that you buy the right product for your needs, and that you research the best prices before you make a purchase. We’ll tell you a little about what you should know, and hopefully, this article will help lessen the blow of the big purchase. Read on to find out more.
Features
One of the first things you’ll want to look out for is the features of the Dell Server. Some of the more prominent features include:
- a plurality of USB ports
- Ethernet sockets
- wireless Bluetooth
- internal antenna
- integrated TV tuner
- digital S/PDIF out
- an HDMI port
- a VGA port
- four RAM slots
- a hard disk drive (HDD)
- a solid-state drive (SSD)
- an eSata port
- a wide range of power options
- support for multiple operating systems
- a fanless design
Depending on your needs, you might want to look for a particular feature set. For example, if you have a large number of devices that need to be connected to the network (laptops, mobile phones, etc.), then you might want to look for a product with a fast Ethernet port. If you’re looking for a product that’s better suited for basic web browsing and email, then you might want to look for a budget of $0-$500.
Cost
The cost of the Dell Server is something else to consider. It’s not unusual for companies to charge a lot for hardware and software together, so the cost of a single Dell Server can range from $600 to $3000 or more. If you’re buying a small office equipment package that’s just for Web browsing and email, then you can expect to pay around $500. If you need a file server then you might want to look into the higher-end Dell Servers with a minimum of four hard drives for $600. If you’re looking for something that’s a little less expensive, then you might want to consider alternative options like Wistia or HPE Proliant (webcam not included).
Size And Weight
Another important factor to consider when buying a server is size and weight. The main considerations here are physical size, weight, and power supplies. You don’t want to buy something that’s so big that it’s hard to transport, and you definitely don’t want to be pushing your car to the limit just to get it out of the parking lot. If you need to move it someplace, you’ll have to rent or borrow a truck. The power supply and cooling are also factors to consider, as big power supplies can eat up a lot of room, and lots of cooling can also become a problem if you’re running out of storage space. The ideal solution would be to find a small, light, and cooling-friendly server.
Response Time
Another important factor to consider when buying a server is response time. Much like the size and weight of the product, the response time of the server can vary widely, but it usually is fast enough for basic tasks like Web browsing and email. If you’re looking for a product that’s specifically made for online gaming, then you might want to consider something else. When it comes to comparing and contrasting the response time of different servers, always look for the numbers next to the speed rating. The number to look out for is “MB/s,” which is megabits per second.
If you’re looking for a product that’s ideal for basic tasks like Web browsing and email, then you might want to consider something in the 1-2 MB/s range. For larger businesses that need fast file sharing, then you might want to look into the 500-1000 MB/s range. If you need a multifunctional device that can perform well in multiple environments, then you might want to look into the very high-end speeds of 2000-3000+ MB/s.
Reliability
Another important factor to consider when buying a server is reliability. The reliability of a server can vary widely, but usually, it’s good enough for basic tasks like Web browsing and email. If you’re looking for a product that’s designed to be 100% reliable, then you might want to look into the server line that is built around the RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks) technology. Servers with RAID can offer great price-performance, but they require professionals to install and maintain.
Service
One of the most important things to consider when buying a server is service. The service offered by the company you purchase the product from can vary widely, but usually, they offer one of the following:
- remote hardware monitoring
- remote hardware repair
- onsite hardware repair (for businesses)
- onsite system administration (for businesses)
- generous support contracts
- 24/7 phone support
- next-business-day hardware delivery
If you need a quick solution that you can deploy yourself, without needing any additional training, then you might want to consider getting a pre-made kit that already has everything you need. This will save you a lot of time and effort, and it could also save you some money if you buy it in bulk.
If you have the expertise to do it yourself, and you want to get the best performance out of your server, then you might want to consider getting a dedicated server. These are the types of servers that are built around a single purpose, like running a Web site or online store. They usually come with lots of nice touches like onboarding software, pre-installed applications, user friendly interfaces, etc. You might want to consider getting the higher-end dedicated variety, to save you money in the long run. Dedicated Servers also come with a security guard pre-installed, to keep intruders out.
Warranty
Another important factor to consider when buying a server is warranty. This will tell you how long the company you bought the product from will cover parts and labor to fix or replace your product. The warranty can vary widely, but usually, it’s for one year or less. If you need a highly reliable product that you can deploy and forget about, without worrying about breaking it down, then go for this option. Otherwise, you might want to look into the extended warranty that comes with your product.