How to Choose a Server in 2025

Equipment is a crucial component of an organization’s infrastructure. Maximum efficiency of operations ensures colossal revenue. And now it’s not just about coffee machines and air conditioners. There are equally valuable things. For example, computing equipment, and since we are talking about it, it’s time to discuss how to choose a server in 2025

Where to Start When Choosing Server Equipment

Such a critical topic requires a thoughtful approach, taking careful and measured steps. The key is to proceed without making hasty decisions: clearly define your requirements and plan ahead, as sooner or later, upgrades will be necessary. My ultimate goal is to thoroughly explain the following process:

1. Define the tasks that the server equipment will perform.

2. Determine its purpose.

3. Settle on the configuration.

4. Place the order.

5. Done.

Now, each of these points deserves at least a separate paragraph to understand what steps to take next.

What Actions to Take

If you want to learn how to choose equipment, let’s start with the tasks that the device should perform. You understand that the equipment we’re discussing won’t be vacuuming the office, mopping floors, or giving massages to the boss, but I really hope that in the future, these shortcomings will be addressed, and these essential functions will be added, even if they come with a subscription fee. Just imagine how much easier it will be to convince management to purchase the equipment! In a hypothetical scenario, an admin goes to the boss:

— Sir slaveowner, we urgently need to buy a server!

— Why?

— We can host our accounting software, so our accountants stop complaining, and we can also store databases, making our work much more pleasant.

— Is that all?

— It also gives massages and performs vulgar dances on the table.

— I’ll allocate the budget tomorrow, let’s get it!

Okay, jokes aside, it’s clear that such equipment has a specific purpose. But first, let’s define the tasks. So, what can this device do?

This  class of equipment belongs to computing technology, a subtype —  perverted –professional. Designed for working with specific software, calculations, virtualization, and even for hosting websites and preparing multiplayer gaming sessions. Actually, before continuing, let’s talk about the purpose. A slight digression and let’s move on directly to the areas of activity.  A brief digression, and we’ll dive right into the fields of activity.

Do you see the differences? No? Well, they exist.

It’s quite simple (not really). There are many areas where an ordinary personal computer won’t do.This is influenced by the fact that the software logic of consumer products differs somewhat from that in professional ones. Therefore, servers have found their place in organizations,  especially  among various enthusiasts  of computing  technology.

So, what are the differences? Let’s start with the obvious:

• Professional equipment offers higher performance (due to multi-processor systems, support for large amounts of RAM, and so on).

• It allows for custom configurations.

• It comes with a hefty price tag.

Performance. In the consumer segment, there are no multi-processor systems that allow accommodating several hundred gigabytes of RAM , which directly affects many areas. For example, a data center without such capabilities will definitely not survive.

A simple example: there is a device hosting a massive database, for example, for a part of a social network that thousands of people visit daily.

Consequently, the requests of all visitors must be processed in a timely manner, or they will go and register on a different platform (a sad fate). In reality, every user, although not always aware of it, interacts with the database through the interface of the social network. The database can be fragmented, and users will be accessing different tables.

This results in a significant mixed workload that a personal computer simply cannot handle. How do you deal with parallel requests while ensuring user comfort?

1. We make a dynamic breakdown. Let’s say there are a thousand visitors; we set an algorithm to  have a separate storage for every 250 people, allocate a processor for the task.  The second CPU will work with another 250 users and so on. We have 4 CPUs, 4 storages, and everything functions smoothly .

2. Instead of hard drives, we use  SSDs, expensive but  very fast.

3. For every thousand users, we allocate a separate server and create a cluster.

I’ve simplified this significantlyit to make it clear that you need to use technical resources to the maximum. When the number of users becomes high, an unpleasant situation arises. Mixed loads occur.   The application itself consumes some resources even in the background.But if the user activates the application, the load increases.

If many people work on one device, resources are unevenly used, intertwining and hindering each other. If this problem is not critical for the processor and RAM, problems arise with storage devices. Especially with hard drives.  Here you can see how to approach the choice of storage devices. It may not apply to all areas, but the logic is quite clear.

Second, you need to distribute the load. In other words, tie one portion to one processor and another to a different one. Consumer devices lack this capability, as well as support for multi-processor systems.

The third problem is the lack of memory.  I don’t argue, you can connect an external data storage system to a PC. It will have some benefit, but if there is a huge  DB, will it be possible to insert a couple of  terabytes  of RAM into the PC and add another processor? I doubt it.

Fourth — universality. It is considered that personal computers are more versatile,  while servers are specialized. What  is true is true; the final assembly  is strictly tailored to specific directions. However, the range of areas that can be addressed with server equipment is much broader than that of a regular PC, which is  designedspecifically for a relatively small range of activities, most common among ordinary  mortals.With a server, you can create a solution even for the most non-trivial problem.

Complicated? I won’t argue, so let’s talk about simpler purposes.  Nevertheless, large  projects require an   individual approach, so let’s start with something straightforward. In most organizations, tasks are quite simple, although the implementation may turn out to be complex.

Terminal Access

One type of cost-saving solution is terminal solutions. It looks quite simple. There is one powerful device on which programs are executed.  Essentially, all users work on one device through a thin client. In other words, a device that does not have significant processing power and is only intended for input-output of data.

You probably remember switching users on a computer. In fact, a terminal session is somewhat similar. For each user,  their own  session is formed  in which they have  to perform the necessary actions.Data processing, executing operations, and other functions are performed by powerful hardware.  The person remotely enters data through a thin client and then receives the result on the screen. No more.

There’s also the thick client. This device can take on part of the functions, such as initial data processing and table creation. It depends on the software.

If you want to save money, this is your option.  To read more about the terminal server, click on the link. Just click on the heading.

Now, let’s move on to the practical part. So, there is software that is quite demanding. Allocating a separate high-performance computer to each user doesn’t make much sense.

Let’s start with the software. The key factor is support for terminal mode.  Licenses and everything else are another topic. If there is support, then check the software requirements. Keep in mind that a separate session does not consume as many resources as launching the application itself.

So, check the requirements.  Count the number of employees who will theoretically work with it. In practice, it is known that some will be idle. Allocate a certain amount of resources for each person’s session. Usually, it’s about 5-10% of the main software requirements,but it’s better to dig around on thematic forums. Accordingly, choosing a server will have to take into account all requirements.

Virtualization

Let’s assume there are ten people who need separate operating systems. Should you buy a separate OS and personal computer for each of them? Why bother? You can set up a server, create ten virtual machines on it, and provide them to the users. It’s somewhat reminiscent of terminal access, but there’s a significant difference: each virtual machine fully emulates a physical one.

I’ll tell you more about virtualization, but it’s considered increasingly valuable for businesses.

Network Maintenance

Configuring access rights, printing, and protecting the local network.  In organizations, such tasks are often delegated to specialized hardware.Choosing a server for this task is very simple: the more devices in the network, the more powerful the device needed to manage them.

Calculations and Graphics

Occasionally, and sometimes frequently, there is a need for calculations or working with graphic applications. In this case, it is recommended to choose a server with the capability to install graphics cards. Not all servers are suitable for this purpose.

File Servers and Video Surveillance

Requirements

So, we’ve defined the purpose, but each purpose has its own nuances and pitfalls, just like with Thai girls. Let’s start step by step. We’ve defined the goal, now the key moment is the choice. What should you pay attention to?

1. Processor: Not all applications can work with multi-threading, and some prefer many cores. When choosing, carefully examine the software requirements and look for information on relevant forums, where you may find existing nuances and issues. Sometimes, it’s possible to build multi-processor systems, which are excellent for tasks like virtualization or terminal access.
2. Random Access Memory (RAM):  Preference should be given to RAM that supports Error-Correcting Code (ECC) for automatic error correction, enabling the device to operate 24/7 without the need for restarts. Ordinary RAM can only detect errors but cannot correct them.  Also,  note that the processor must support the ECC function. I discussed the differences between server and consumer RAM in a separate article.
3. Storage: A crucial factor,  RAID configuration is necessary, and speed is important.  Briefly,  there are different  types of storage and interfaces. Information about SSDs is available here.As for hard drives, SATA and SAS  drives are currently the most common. SAS drives are more reliable and faster but have smaller storage capacity than SATA. However, they come at a higher cost.  SATA drives are slower but offer storage capacities up to 22 TB, making them affordable  and accessible. If  speed is important, prefer  SSDs; if  capacityis needed, go for HDDs.  Why not rely heavily on SAS? It’s simple. The price for such a drive might be slightly lower than for an SSD, but the speed is significantly lower. It only excels in terms of reliability. However, sometimes both speed and capacity are needed, requiring SSDs in such cases.
4. Fault Tolerance: The main consumable  components are storage devices and power supplies. Device shutdown is akin to death, and it is not recommended to allow this. Modern servers can have multiple power supplies with hot-swappable capability. If one is disconnected, another can ensure operability. It can be replaced without powering down the device.  The same applies to storage devices. Don’t hesitate to build secure RAID configurations, such as a robust RAID 10. Yes, it requires many disks, but fault tolerance and speed are top-notch.
5. Remote Management: Some systems,  such as those from Dell or HPE, have built-in remote access and monitoring systems at the controller level. Convenient tools allow you to turn on/off, monitor the device’s status, and configure the technical aspects.  Others only produce platforms, such as Intel or Supermicro. Here, you can simply install a suitable controller that allows you to do the same.
6. Graphics Card: In computations or when working with graphics, they are indispensable. There should be sufficient PCI-E slots,  and many platforms now support the installation of multiple graphics cards. Professional graphics cards can be combined into larger formations, which is not possible with consumer-grade ones.

In Conclusion

In general, the main points to consider have been listed.However, there are other details like network controllers. The more users connect to the server, the more powerful network card bandwidth is required, disk subsystem controllers for hardware RAID or for connecting an expansion system. In reality, each detail deserves a separate article.

But the direction has been set, and I hope it has made it at least a little clearer how to choose a server;otherwise, this text would have been written in vain. I have provided some links here that may help shed some light on this extensive topic.