Choosing the right Dell server cost for your company can be challenging. You need to consider different brands and models, as well as factors like CPU, storage, connectivity, and Dell server cost additional features. This wide range of options makes deciding where to start a tough process. However, don’t worry—you’re in the right place if you’re setting up a server for your small business.
How to Select the Most Appropriate Server for Your Small Business?
Finding an affordable server today isn’t difficult. However, finding one that balances cost and quality can be more challenging. Although the market evolves constantly and opinions vary, it’s crucial to consider the following aspects when choosing the right dell server for your business:
- Virus Management
One of the most serious threats to your network is infection from malware, viruses, and spam. Therefore, installing anti-virus software on all systems is essential to protect against these risks.
- Increased Reliability
Servers are designed for continuous operation, even in cases of hardware failure. Many servers come equipped with a backup power supply. This setup ensures that the server continues to function even if one power source fails, preventing data loss and minimizing disruptions.
- Database Backup
Backing up data to the cloud provides an extra layer of security for business-critical information. If an unexpected issue arises, you can quickly restore a saved copy to minimize downtime.
- Secure Email Hosting
While startups can initially use email services like Gmail or Yahoo, it’s advisable to switch to a domain-specific email client as soon as possible. This upgrade enhances security and improves your company’s professional image, as well as supporting better server message blocks for communication.
- Document Storage
Proper document storage is essential for data security and business continuity. It not only facilitates data recovery but also enables employees to access documents from anywhere, supporting flexible work arrangements.
- App Hosting
Hosting software on a remote server reduces the need for additional hardware. Instead of purchasing and maintaining new equipment, businesses can rent virtual space in the cloud, optimizing resources and lowering costs.
Now let’s see which server will be best for your small business:
1. Dell PowerEdge T30
Specifications:
• CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics P530
• RAM: 64GB
• Storage: Up to six SATA
Reasons to Buy:
• Quick quad-core Xeon processor
• Room for six internal disks
Reasons to Avoid:
• Single Gigabit network port
• No hot-swapping of disks
The Dell PowerEdge T30 is available as a barebone or fully configured server. The T30, which is aimed at the entry-level/SoHo market, manages to pack a lot of expansion possibilities into a small, mini-tower-like chassis. Moreover, it even comes with a lot of server functionality by default, making it a great alternative to an office workstation.
2. Dell PowerEdge T640
Specifications for Dell PowerEdge T640:
- CPU: 1 x Intel Xeon Bronze 3204
- RAM: 8GB ECC
- Drive Bays: 8 x large form factor
Reasons to Buy:
- Dual 10 GB Ethernet ports
- Hardware RAID support
Reasons to Avoid:
- Expensive
The Dell PowerEdge T640 justifies its price by offering advanced features such as dual Intel Xeon sockets, support for up to 216 TB of storage, dual 10 GB Ethernet ports, and numerous PCIe 3.0 x16 slots. Notably, the PCIe slots and two 10 GB Ethernet connections enhance its versatility. These extra PCIe slots are particularly useful for tasks like GPU-accelerated machine learning. Moreover, the T640 can support up to four 300-watt or eight 150-watt GPUs, which is ideal for intensive computing tasks.
The dual 10 GB Ethernet ensures high-speed data transfer to and from the server, supporting fast and efficient workflows.
3. Dell PowerEdge T20 (barebones)
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Pentium G3220
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
- RAM: 4GB
Reasons to Buy:
- Very reasonably priced
- Compact mini-tower with easy internal access
Reasons to Avoid:
- G3220 is more suited to desktop than server tasks
- No drives or OS included
Compact and affordable, the Dell PowerEdge T20 demonstrates that servers can be both effective and budget-friendly. Equipped with a Haswell-based Pentium processor capable of clocking up to 3GHz, this server supports up to 32GB DDR3 ECC RAM. It includes four SATA ports, four I/O slots, and ten USB ports for expansion, along with two DisplayPort connectors, a VGA connector, two PS2 ports, and one serial port. Additionally, it features a 290W PSU and an Intel-based RAID controller, alongside a dell server cost Gigabit Ethernet connection.
4. Lenovo ThinkServer TS150
Specifications:
- CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1200 v6
- RAM: Up to 64GB
- Storage: Up to 40 TB HDD
Reasons to Buy:
- Affordable entry-level Think Server model
- Quiet operation
Reasons to Avoid:
- Limited drawbacks
As a 4U enterprise-class server, the Lenovo Think Server TS150 offers cost-effectiveness without sacrificing essential features. Competing directly with the Dell T20, it supports RAID configurations of 0, 1, 10, and 5 and can accommodate up to four 3.5-inch hard drives, achieving a maximum storage capacity of 40 TB. Furthermore, the TS150 is remarkably quiet, with acoustics rated 26 dB lower than a standard library. Its connectivity includes eight USB ports, four PCI/PCI-e slots, three video connectors, serial, Gigabit Ethernet, and three audio connectors, ensuring flexibility for diverse applications.
Considerations for On-Premises vs. Cloud-Based Servers
Investing in a server for your business is a long-term decision with significant implications for future success. Many businesses today opt for third-party cloud servers as a cost-effective alternative. However, on-premises servers remain essential for those with specific business and compliance requirements, providing a secure and tailored approach to data management.