Indeed, a server is playing a vital role in the world of business nowadays, especially when your business has grown large enough and you need your first server. This article covers the 5 best servers for small or large business and will help you to decide which class of server will best fit your business.

Initially, you need to understand:

• What is server
• How server works

What is Server

Just consider a server is like a high-end desktop PC and is designed for different tasks. A desktop computer is designed for one person who needs to run applications such as word, a spreadsheet, and email client or a Web browser. Conversely, a server is designed to run and support many users and tasks, such as email, messaging, and print servers, shared calendar programs; databases; and enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management software.

How Server Works

The server has made all tasks very convenient and easy for employees. Actually, a server is a central repository or storage place for all of your documents, images, contacts, and other important files. It can host a company intranet, for sharing information with your employees quickly and economically.

You can set up a virtual private network, where you and your employees can access the data on the server remotely from anywhere you have internet access. More importantly, a server can automatically back up your desktop and laptop systems, so you’ll never lose critical data if one machine fails or is lost or stolen.

Servers are designed to be reliable, secure, and fault-tolerant, with redundant storage options. If you expect your business to expand, choose a server that’s scalable and can grow with you. If you operate a small to medium-size business, the question isn’t “Do I need a server?” but “Which type of server do I need?” Below we will help you to choose the best one out of 5 best servers for small or large business.

5 Best Servers for Small or Large Business

1. Windows Server

Windows server is one of the best servers which can help you power your business. Whether you have just decided to choose a server for your business or working to harness your business. The Windows Server 2016 brings the latest cloud-inspired technologies to the everyday business. Moreover, Windows server contains good features that can help you to make existing resources so that your business can spend more time focused on bringing new solutions, services and experiences to your clients.

Windows server is designed to fit your business and despite having a good security and cloud storage, it contains the following features.

• Windows Nano Server

Nano Server is a pared down headless version of Windows Server. This Server will have a 93% smaller VHD size, 92% fewer critical bulletins and 80% fewer required reboots. In addition, Nano Server is a Windows Server installation options and it’s completely headless.

• Containers and Hyper-V Containers

Windows Server containers and Hyper-V containers are the latest buzzes in IT technology as they threaten to supplant virtualization as a core IT technology.

• Docker Support

Docker is an open-source engine that’s used for building, running and managing containers.

• Rolling upgrades for Hyper-V and Storage clusters

Rolling upgrades feature allows you to add a new Windows Server 2016 node to a Hyper-V cluster with nodes that are running Windows Server 2012 R2.

• Hot add & remove of virtual memory network adapters

Another great new feature in Windows Server 2016 Hyper-V is the ability to add and remove the virtual memory and virtual network adapters while the virtual machine is running.

In addition to these, it contains the following features:

• Nested Virtualization
• PowerShell Direct
• Linux Secure Boot
• New Host Guardian Service and Shielded VMs
• Storage Spaces Direct

2. Dell PowerEdge T20 [barebones]

The Dell PowerEdge T20 has benefited from a wealth of knowledge derived from 20 years of experience Dell has building servers. This server is cheap and in the recent past, it has been priced at less than £100.

It has a Haswell-based Pentium processor that can clock up to 3GHz and supports up to 32GB DDR3 ECC RAM (note that this model comes with 4GB). Expansion capabilities include four SATA ports (32TB if you use 8TB hard drives), four I/O slots and 10 USB ports. Astoundingly for a PC of this price, you also get two DisplayPort connectors, a VGA one, two PS2 and one serial port. Other than a Gigabit Ethernet port, the other points of interest are a 290W PSU and an Intel-based RAID controller.

CPU: Intel Pentium G3220 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 4GB | Storage: No drives included | Connectivity: Up to 12 x USB ports (4 x USB 3.0), 2 x DisplayPort, VGA, serial, 2 x PS2, Gigabit Ethernet | Dimensions (W x D x H): 17.5 x 43.5 x 36cm

3. Synology DiskStation DS412+

This server has an excellent drive bay design that enables intermediate and advanced users to execute the server’s functionalities with ease. This server will fit the companies who have shared user requirements of around six people and average storage need no more than 16TB.

The Synology DS412+ has support for laptop hard drives  (2.5 inches) and desktop hard drives (3.5 inches), allowing it to store up to 16TB — with a maximum of 4TB hard drives in the four bays.

The server’s Hybrid RAID setup allows it to mix and match different hard drives, without using ones with lower capacities for the existing RAID. If a business requires less storage at the moment, it’s possible to start with only two or three hard drives, and then add the remainder.

Moreover this server is diskless and having the following features:

• CPU Frequency: Dual Core 2.13 GHz
• Memory: 1GB DDR3
• 4 Drive Bays, Drive Type: 3.5″ SATA(III) / SATA(II) HDD, 2.5″ SATA(III) / SATA(II) HDD, 2.5″ SATA(III) / SATA(II) SSD
• Max Internal Capacity: 16TB (4x 4TB HDD)
• External HDD Interface: 2x USB 3.0 Ports, 1x USB 2.0 Port, 1x eSATA Port. LAN: 2x Gigabit.

4. Lenovo ThinkServer TS140

A stealthy server offering quite potent performance

• Intel HD Graphics, 16GB DDR3 (can up to 32GB), Intel Core i3-4150 3.5 GHz Dual-Core processor
• 1 x Audio Line In, 1 x Audio Line Out, 1 x VGA, 1 x DisplayPort, Number of External 5.25″ Bays: 1, Total Expansion Slots: 4, PCI Slots: 1, PCI Express x 1 Slots: 1, PCI Express x 16 Slots: 2, 2 x USB 2.0, 6 x USB 3.0, 1 x Network (RJ-45)
• Management: ISM, RAID Controller: RAID 100 Disk Bays: 3 x 3.5″ DC Storage: Open Optical: HH DVD+/-RW Add-on NIC: None Add-on Ports: None System
• chipset: 280W 85% Fixed Power Characteristics, Intel C226 Platform Controller Hub (PCH)
• 6.89″ Thin, Color: Black, No Operating System,

The Lenovo ThinkServer is the most affordable of the range and is a 4U enterprise-class server that competes with the Dell T20. It comes with support for RAID 0,1,10 and 5 (via an onboard controller) with two 1TB 7200RPM hard disk drives. Like the competition, this one can accommodate up to four 3.5-inch HDDs in total, which means that it can go up to 32TB of storage when loaded with 8TB models. The Intel Xeon E3-1226 V3 processor should be powerful enough for small and medium enterprises.

5. HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen8

An effective server in basic tasks and functionalities.

• Price: $677.50 & FREE Shipping
• 2.3 GHz Intel Xeon E3-1220L
• 4 GB DDR3
• 2000 GB 7200 rpm Hard Drive
• Two USB 3.0 ports
• Two Gigabit network ports
• One embedded RAID controller

This server is very effective in many tasks such as file sharing, printer sharing, emails, web interface and database hosting. It comes without any operating system, though it offers compatibility with any inter-OS, such as Windows 10 and Linux it cannot run Apple OS x.

It comes with an integrated HP lights-out controller for remote management and diagnostics and comes with a choice of inter dual-core processor. Moreover, it has easily accessible memory slots with the ability to pull the motherboard out from behind.

Conclusion:

Each of the five servers discussed offers useful features and capabilities to support a small or large business. You can choose your favourite out of these best servers for small or large business whichever best fit your business and of course, affordable pricing remains one of the most fundamental concerns for any company.

Please feel free to write your views and ask your questions using the comment box below.