Server Barebones

Server barebones are partially assembled platforms or unassembled kits of server parts, allowing customization of a unit. A barebones platform usually includes an enclosure, motherboard, power supply and sleds for disks. They are all designed to run and accommodate upgrades continuously for years in busy business environments. Components you need to purchase separately include the processor, memory and storage drives, depending on your framework-specific needs.

Multiple Form Factors Provide Options

Tower server barebones resemble regular desktop computers, and are suitable for organizations that need plenty of processing power. Rackmount servers are designed to be installed in a server rack or cabinet with multiple bays, suitable for businesses that have several units but limited space. A blade server houses several modular, thin electronic boards in a box-like or chassis structure. Multiple units can have a single fiber cable running to the server chassis, reducing your total cable requirements. The most common rackmount barebones come in 1U to 4U sizes, where U is a height of 1.75in. for ease of installation and management.

Server Barebones Are Configurable for High-Performance Workloads

Knowing the CPU socket type for the motherboard is essential when building your server. The compatibility information is usually available with the server barebone product name and specifications in the owner’s manual. AMD® and Intel® server processors have a high bandwidth capacity and large cache to process hefty amounts of data. A multi-processor-capable server barebone with CPU fail-over allows transferring control to another processor in case one fails. A northbridge chipset in the motherboard links the CPU to RAM and graphics controllers to ensure optimal performance when running resource-intensive virtualization tasks. Server barebones provide for the installation of multiple RAM modules, depending on your setup’s needs and intended usage. For instance, if the company database is about 100GB, it is advisable to have between 16 and 64GB of RAM installed to ensure seamless access to stored information.

Robust Support for Native Storage Devices

Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) interfaces on a tower or rack server motherboard provide maximum compatibility with a range of server-specific hard disk drives (HDDs). Serial ATA (SATA) interfaces support hot plugging, so you can add or remove drives even as the server is running. Some devices support NVMe™ solid-state drives (SSDs), which are fast and run cool, making them suitable for storing the most accessed data on your network while reserving HDDs for files with lower priority. Enterprise-read barebone servers often require multiple high-capacity drives to prevent data loss and improve read and write speeds. Administrators have the option of adding 2.5in. or 3.5in. HDDs and SSDs to front hot-swap bays for more storage.

Server Barebones Make Room for Future Expansions

A barebones chassis with extra expansion slots allows for future expansion or use in applications that require an extensive amount of PCIe® cards. Multiple slots make it easy to enhance performance by adding advanced graphics, sound, video, Ethernet and other server components to your build. Integrated HDMI® ports allow transmitting high-bandwidth streams of video and data to monitors. A USB-over-network server allows sharing your USB-connected printer with remote computers.