Hardware of a Server

Hardware of a Server

1. Processor

   • Considered as the brain of the computer
     • Since all of the instructions it performs are mathematical calculations and logical comparisons.
       • The clock speed is usually expressed in gigahertz (GHz)
         • A gigahertz is 1 billion cycles per second.
   • Today the new processors are 64-bit, which work faster than the older 32-bit processors.
     • A 64-bit processor has a default word size of 64-bits, and a 64-bit external data bus.
   • Today's 64-bit processors include virtualization technology (VT)
     • Which lets a processor act as if it were several processors working in parallel
       • So that several OS may run at the same time as the machine.

2. Memory

   • RAM (Random Access Memory), is the computer's short term or temporary memory
     • It stores instructions and data that the processor accesses directly.
       • If you have more ram, you can load more instructions and data from the disks.
         • When you turn off your computer, the contents of the RAM disappear.
           • This is the reason you use disks rather than RAM for long-term storage.

3. Network connections

   • Without a network connection, the server is not able to communicate with other servers or the clients.
     • Most server include one or more Network Interface Cards or NICs.
       • Because servers are designed to support many network connections, you must have the available bandwidth from the server.
         • The minimum speed for servers is 1 Gbit/second or faster.

4. Motherboard