Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
One issue to consider for any server installation is hardware features. The following list
describes a few of these features:
The terms CPU and processor are often used interchangeably. A physical
processor is a chip that's installed in a socket on a motherboard. However,
today's physical processors might have multiple processor cores, and each
core can perform the same work as a single-core physical processor.
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CPU architecture
—Major CPU manufacturers typically have a workstation line and
a server line of processors. The server line includes Intel Xeon and AMD Opteron.
Depending on the expected server workload, you must also consider how many physical
processors and how many CPU cores each processor should have. Server virtualization,
which has special CPU requirements, is another factor. To sum up, here are some of the
CPU architecture options:
• Workstation or server line of processors: Typically, the workstation line supports only
one or at most two physical CPUs; the server line supports four or more.
• Total number of physical processors: You can buy a system with one processor now and
add more later if the motherboard supports multiple physical processors. Be aware, how-
ever, that you must use identical processors in multiprocessor systems, and finding an
identical match three or four years later can be difficult. Also, keep in mind the
Windows Server 2008 edition you plan to install because the maximum number of
processors varies.
• Number of cores in each processor: With multicore CPUs becoming the norm today,
buying a system that supports them makes sense. Multicore CPUs usually don't achieve
the same performance as multiple physical processors, but they have become an inexpen-
sive way to boost performance.
Recall from Chapter 1 that Microsoft considers a physical processor, regard-
less of the number of cores, as a single processor when determining how
many processors a particular edition supports. Also, it used to be necessary
to install a new Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) that supports multipro-
cessing when a processor was added. Windows detects contemporary
processors as multiple processors, so the correct HAL is already installed.
• 32-bit versus 64-bit processors: Rumor has it that Windows Server 2008 is the last major
server OS from Microsoft that will have 32-bit versions, so choosing a 64-bit processor is
probably wise. In addition, Hyper-V requires using a 64-bit processor, and the only real
drawback is less driver support than for 32-bit systems. On a server, driver support is less
of an issue because you're unlikely to be running a wide variety of unusual devices.
• Virtualization extensions: With a 64-bit processor, chances are good that it supports virtu-
alization extensions, but you must be certain if you want to run Hyper-V. On Intel proces-
sors, look for the Intel Virtualization Technology (Intel-VT) label, and on AMD processors,
look for AMD-V. These extensions are a prerequisite to installing the Hyper-V role.
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Disk subsystem
—Before the arrival of serial ATA (SATA) drives, the only real choice of
hard drives for servers was SCSI. Both specifications are making performance improve-
ments constantly, and now, to complicate matters, serial attached SCSI (SAS) is available.
Current knowledge indicates that for entry-level or departmental servers, SATA is a good
choice because it's inexpensive and offers excellent performance. For enterprise servers or
servers accessed 24/7, SAS and the newest SCSI systems have a performance and reliability
advantage. SCSI disks are generally designed for continuous use; SATA drives tend to be
designed more for consumer use rather than around-the-clock use. Doing research on cur-
rent technology and your network's needs before deciding is best.
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Hot-add/hot-replace features
—Say you've noticed that memory use has increased to dan-
gerously high levels after installing a new database application on your server. You need to
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