So, your business has grown large enough that you need your first server. Congratulations! Acquiring a server is a big decision, many expanding businesses struggle with deciding what server to get. While buying a first server is more involved than buying a PC, a smartphone, or a tablet, it’s less intimidating if you keep some basic information in mind during the process.
Here are some important things to consider when choosing a small business server.
Have you considered the Cloud?
Your first choice when it comes to servers is whether or not you actually need one physically in your office. For businesses tight on space, introducing a business server may not be the best idea. Leasing a server on the cloud sometimes makes more sense-especially for small businesses that don’t have a robust IT infrastructure. However, there are limits to what you can do with a cloud-based server. If you decide that you definitely need the server on premises, then you should choose whether to assemble a server in-house or to purchase a pre-built.
Find a snug fit.
There are different types of servers for an assortment of needs, so evaluate the needs of your business accordingly. What do you want your server to do?
Server Type: Network Attached Storage (NAS) or Application Server
The first choice you’ll have to make is between a NAS server and a more conventional application server. NAS servers, such as the LaCie 2big NAS, are specialized devices that provide shared access to files and folders, as well as other network resources such as printers. Application servers, such as HP’s MicroServer Gen8 share folders and printers too, but they use a full-fledged server operating system that can run myriad types of software and typically provides a broader repertoire of features.
A big advantage to NAS servers is that they’re relatively inexpensive. Another is that they’re usually simple enough that non-technical people can handle setup and management chores, such as configuring user/group accounts, shared folders, access permissions, etc. However, since NAS servers run proprietary operating systems (typically a compact and customized version of Linux), they won’t necessarily run the software your business needs.
