Extras and upgrades

by Neil Randall and Allen Fear (3/1/2004; updated 2/28/2005)

As you read through the reviews of the servers we tested, you'll notice one thing very quickly: they all have different configurations. One reason is that no two vendors agree on what constitutes the best combination of components and features for a first-time server buyer.

When we discussed the configurations of our test servers with vendors, we realized that no matter what you get with your first server, you'll probably want or need more, either now or in the near future. This is especially true if your business is growing, as you connect more employees to your network and let them share services.

So here are the typical upgrades you'll probably need to consider over the course of the next year or two. We place them in approximate order of significance, although here, too, no two server buyers are likely to agree. Fortunately, most of these servers are eminently expandable, and you can add to them piece by piece as you see fit.

Network switch
Because you need an Ethernet port for every PC you intend to plug into your network, you need a network switch, or multiple switches, with at least that number of ports. Switches come in many configurations, but you can easily add them in 4-, 8-, 16-, and 24-port modules. Most wireless routers include an integrated switch as well as other useful features, such as a built-in VPN server.

Second hard drive plus RAID controller
If you have only one hard drive in your server, you're asking for trouble. Hard drives fail, and hard drives under constant use fail more quickly. In fact, along with the network switch, you should be sure to order a second hard drive with your system purchase. Make it the same size as the primary drive so that--now or in the near future--you can connect them both in a RAID-1 configuration for the purposes of constant, unattended data mirroring. Eventually, you should consider three drives in a RAID-5 configuration, which provides additional insurance in case of failure, but for now two drives with RAID-1 will suffice.

Hot-swappable hard drive
If your server supports hot-swappable hard drives, consider getting them. This way, you can replace hard drives on the fly, without shutting down the server. In a busy server environment, shutdowns can be both frustrating and, in terms of work-hours lost, expensive.

Hot swappable power supply
RAID arrays and swappable drives protect your data, but you can give your entire server a better chance at surviving by purchasing hot-swappable redundant power supplies. They're called redundant because, as long as the first one's working, the second one isn't needed. But if the first should fail, the second will be there to keep your server running while you swap in a new one.

Tape drive
Tape drives are an excellent tool for data backup; you can't go wrong with one. In fact, they provide the best means of archiving data, as you continually add new tapes to the mix and capture your data incrementally. Today's hard drives, however, tend to be cheaper than tape drives, and a RAID configuration can provide many of the same services. But you won't typically use a hard drive for archival purposes.

Additional RAM
More system memory can produce faster response times and better handling of multiple connected users. Upgrade your system to 1GB as soon as you can afford to do so and keep adding as you add users.

Additional processor
If your operating system and your motherboard support multiple processors, you can elongate your server's life by installing a second CPU. The two CPUs work in conjunction with one another to increase performance, although you'll likely experience more immediately noticeable results by adding RAM instead. RAM is also much cheaper than CPUs.

Neil Randall teaches software interface analysis and design at the University of Waterloo, Canada, and has published numerous books and articles covering operating systems, networking, and hardware. Allen Fear is a senior editor at CNET.