Almost every organization, enterprise or office has many computers connected to a local network. At the same time, of course, one cannot do without the center of this very network - a server (and possibly several). The speed and reliability of the network, and often the very ability of the office or enterprise, directly depends on the correct choice of components and software for the server.
Instructions
Step 1
Before choosing a server, decide exactly what roles and functions it will perform. The configuration of your future server directly depends on this. For a server that performs simple network tasks - a gateway for accessing the Internet, a virtual private network (VPN) server, automatic distribution of IP addresses - absolutely any modern computer is suitable. If the main tasks of the server are a file server and a database server, then you need to choose a server based on the number of future users.
Step 2
If the number of users is less than 100, any entry-level server with 3-4 gigabytes of RAM, several Gigabit Ethernet ports and hard drives with a total capacity of 250-500 gigabytes will do. If there are more than 100 users, then mid-range servers with one or more multi-core processors are preferable: 8-16 gigabytes of RAM, the presence of a hardware RAID controller The capacity of hard drives is selected based on the number of databases and the frequency of data backup.
Step 3
For a server performing multimedia functions - a WEB server, an on-line multimedia server, an FTP server - the hardware is selected based on the calculation of 1.5-2 gigabytes of RAM for each thousand of concurrently connected users, the processor platform is also selected depending on the number of users. A hardware RAID controller and multiple Gigabit Ethernet ports are required. A large number of expansion slots is also required for installing additional hard drives, if necessary, increasing the capacity of disks.
Step 4
After selecting the hardware, select the software you are using. For servers performing the functions of file storages, FTP - or WEB - servers, multimedia servers - preference should be given to server operating systems of the UNIX family - they are more stable, less vulnerable to intruders and are often free to use. If you intend to have a domain controller for computers running Windows or run services running on the Microsoft Windows platform, then it is recommended to use operating systems of the Windows Server family.
