3 years ago I bought a "huge" poweredge2900 server. I thought it would:
- replace 3 half-assed machines that were running as server
- provide storage and backup for all the Lan.
It did more than this, because I added virtualization to the mix. What I have, roughly, is a big NAS + an appliance server that runs virtual client machines or servers. I almost stopped buying computers or upgrade parts: everything is concentrated on the server (even the support contract.) I don't regret the initial overkill on the server at all.
Based on this experience, I think buying a larger server and concentrating services on it is of interest to small businesses. Especially when I see the price tag of high end NASes.
There is, I think, a lot to say about networking, protocols, availability, management, choosing the right VM (or OS) for the job, layering services, etc.
How about some articles on virtualization on a mid-range server, from an SMB standpoint ?
- replace 3 half-assed machines that were running as server
- provide storage and backup for all the Lan.
It did more than this, because I added virtualization to the mix. What I have, roughly, is a big NAS + an appliance server that runs virtual client machines or servers. I almost stopped buying computers or upgrade parts: everything is concentrated on the server (even the support contract.) I don't regret the initial overkill on the server at all.
Based on this experience, I think buying a larger server and concentrating services on it is of interest to small businesses. Especially when I see the price tag of high end NASes.
There is, I think, a lot to say about networking, protocols, availability, management, choosing the right VM (or OS) for the job, layering services, etc.
How about some articles on virtualization on a mid-range server, from an SMB standpoint ?