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Subject: Re: Just what makes a "server" computer unique?

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 14:57:45 06/03/02

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On June 03, 2002 at 15:30:25, J. C. Boco wrote:

>On  www.hotdealsclub.com  I learned that there is a server for sale for $2000.
>No, I'm not interested in buying it, but it has resurfaced a question I have had
>for some time now.
>
>Just what makes a computer built for a server different from a regular computer?
> Is there a reason why server-computers seem to cost less then regular ones (my
>observation based mostly on cursory comparisons between processor speeds and
>RAM)?  Why do computer manufacturers go out of their way to maintain a server
>line of computers?


Generally:

1.  Better I/O.  Typically SCSI disks rather than EIDE.

2.  More PCI slots for expansion.

3.  Often capable of using a second CPU although many don't ship with
both processors installed.

4.  More memory to provide additional buffer/caching space to further
eliminate file I/O bottlenecks.

5.  "less fancy" on-board graphics, since a server is not going to be used
as a graphical workstation.

6.  Possibly "more fancy" network devices, including having two 100mbit
interfaces.  Or if the hardware is new, gigabit ethernet ports.




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