1. Preparing For Server Installation Instructor: Joseph Nattey
The University of Akron College of Applied Science & Technology Dept. of Business & Information Technology 2440: 141 Web Site Administration
Preparing For Server Installation
Instructor: Joseph Nattey

2. Identifying Server Categories (fshspd/aphsp)
Determining the primary use of the server helps to determine the types of components needed
Determining the necessary types of components can be difficult in a Web server environment because
Consideration must be given to the need for a
Web server,
database management servers,
servers, and
requirements of programming languages
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3. Identifying Server Categories
There are two major categories of servers (File and Application).
The file server emphasizes sending and receiving files.
has the primary purpose of providing a location for shared disk access, i.e. shared storage of computer files that can be accessed by the workstations that are attached to the same computer network.
The term server highlights the role of the machine in the client–server scheme, where the clients are the workstations using the storage.
A file server is not intended to perform computational tasks, and does not run programs on behalf of its clients.
It is designed primarily to enable the storage and retrieval of data while the computation is carried out by the workstations.
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4. Identifying Server Categories
File servers are commonly found in schools and offices, where users use a LAN to connect their client computers
Because the focus is on files, a fast disk subsystem is the most important.
A file server may be dedicated or non-dedicated.
A dedicated server is designed specifically for use as a file server, with workstations attached for reading and writing files and databases
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5. Identifying Server Categories
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6. Identifying Server Categories
The application server focuses on the complexity of handling an application.
application server is a program that handles all application operations business applications or databases. between users and an organization's backend
An application server is typically used for complex transaction-based applications.
To support high-end needs, an application server has to have built-in redundancy, monitor for high-availability, high-performance distributed application services and support for complex database access.
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7. Identifying Server Categories
Popular types of application servers, software applications in their own right, fall into three categories:
Java-based, including Oracle WebLogic and IBM WebSphere
Microsoft Windows Server-based
others, often built using open source technologies
Many application servers accept network requests from Web browsers and manage connections to large databases.
Typically found in business environments, application servers often run on the same network hardware as Web servers
Sometimes the server that is needed combines the need for a fast disk subsystem and a fast processor.
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8. Identifying Server Categories
Server Installation Preparation

9. Identifying Server Categories- Application Servers
Server applications can process requests from many users at a time
A DBMS is a typical example
Requires extensive processing power to process requests from users
Exchange Server is a groupware server and does more than send messages
Its complexity puts more burden on the processor
Servers may also combine the need for fast processors and fast disk subsystems
Make sure you determine how the server will be used.

10. Evaluating Server Components (fdsp)
There is the need to balance components within the server computer, just as balancing parts of a Web server system
Ideally, all the components in a server should work together to optimize performance
The processor can easily be a bottleneck
Bottleneck – a component of the server that generally slows the system, keeping parts of the system from working optimally
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11. Evaluating Server Components…
Some server components that may be considered include:
Processors
Hard Drive Interface
Hard Drive
Network Interface Card
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12. Evaluating Processors
While choosing a server processor, the first thing you need to do is to identify your ultimate goal.
What is the kind of work you’ll need your server to do on a daily basis?
If you’re hoping to set up your own small business server, even a desktop processor will be enough.
Desktop processors such as Core i7 (6th Generation) can easily power-up a small server.
However, if it is a company that deals in web hosting servers, e-commerce management, ERP implementation, or other similar tasks, a dedicated server processor will be needed.
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13. Evaluating Processors
The processor is the main focus on most servers
It makes everything else work efficiently
A bottleneck originating from the processor often leads to expensive upgrades to a new server
Some servers allow addition of processors though
Identify potential bottlenecks and mitigate issue.
The better the processor, the more tasks your server can handle at any one time.
It depends on your needs
number of active users,
amount of data etc.
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14. Intel Processors Most Microsoft Windows computers use Intel processors
Microprocessors made by Intel Corporation form the foundation of most PCs.
All Intel microprocessors are backward compatible, which means that they can run programs written for a less powerful processor.
Until the late 80s, Intel was essentially the only producer of PC microprocessors.
Increasingly, however, Intel is facing competition from other manufacturers who produce "Intel-compatible " chips.
These chips support the Intel instruction set and are often less expensive than Intel chips.
In some cases, they also offer better performance.
The leading manufacturers of Intel-compatible chips is AMD.
The most common type of Intel processor is based on the X86 chip
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15. Intel Processors…
The Xeon is a brand of x86 microprocessors designed and manufactured by Intel Corporation
Intel markets the processors for enterprise servers and high-performance computing systems.
Intel Xeon is a high-performance version of Intel desktop processors intended for use in servers and high-end workstations.
In addition to gains in CPU performance, and graphics performance,
Intel Xeon processor E v3 product family-based platforms offer fast access to data, security, and proven reliability for a range of business needs.
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16. Comparing Intel Processors
Comparing processors depends on the following:
RAM – allows the processor to quickly process information without accessing the hard disk
Consider the trade-off between price and performance when choosing a RAM
L2 cache – cache is a little bit of high-performance RAM built directly into the processor.
It enables the CPU to access repeatedly used data directly from its own on-board memory, rather than repeatedly requesting it from the system RAM.
Bus Speed – measures the rate at which signals are sent between devices such as hard drive, network interface card, and memory
Bus – the path that the data travels between devices
As new processor versions arise, not only are they faster, but at a given speed, the newer processors can do significantly more work.
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17. AMD Processor
The most popular among processors compatible with the Intel family but manufactured by other companies, the AMD (Advanced Micro Devices) processor is the most popular.
Can be a viable low-cost alternative to the more expensive chips from Intel
AMD Opteron™ family of processors offer incredible performance and scalability to handle demanding workloads with the energy efficiency enterprises require.
AMD is the second-largest supplier and only significant rival to Intel in the market for x86-based microprocessors.
Since acquiring ATI in 2006, AMD and its competitor Nvidia have dominated the discrete graphics processor unit (GPU) market.
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18. UltraSPARC Processors
SPARC (Scalable Processor Architecture) is a 32- and 64-bit microprocessor architecture from Sun Microsystems.
SPARC has become a widely-used architecture for hardware used with UNIX-based operating systems, including Sun's own Solaris systems.
Sun has made SPARC an open architecture that is available for licensing to microprocessor manufacturers.
They are significantly more expensive than their Intel counterparts.
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19. Using Multiple Processors
Using more than one processor is one way to prevent the processor from becoming a bottleneck
Many applications, such as DBMSs, can take advantage of multiple processors.
Applications have to be designed to take advantage of multiple processors
The most common form of multiple-processor support used in servers is symmetric multiprocessing (SMP)
Symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) – allows a server to divide processes and assign them to available processors
The system can then handle more requests.
SMP (symmetric multiprocessing) is the processing of programs by multiple processors that share a common operating system and memory.
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20. Selecting a Hard Drive
Performance is the driving factor for most people's hard drive selection.
A slow hard drive directly impacts all of your computing tasks.
The following factors must be considered when evaluating hard drive performance:
Vendor
Find a reputable brand name which uses reputable hardware manufacturers. Most brand name manufacturers come with great warranties, online support resources and service agreements.
While you hope you won't need them, it's nice to know there are provisions for service and replacement parts if necessary.
Capacity
Data transfer rate – speed with which data can be transmitted from one device to another.
Buffer size – is an amount of RAM on the drive to store frequently accessed data from the drive.
Since RAM is faster at transferring data than the drive head operation, it increases the speed of the drive.
The more buffer on the drive, the more data that can be stored in the cache to decrease the amount of physical drive operation. 
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21. Selecting a Hard Drive
Average seek time – getting to a hard drive position
refers to the length of time it takes the drive to position the drive head on the platter for the appropriate function.
Rotational speed – how fast the disk drive spins.
The higher the rotational speed of the drive, the more data the drive can read and write from the drive in a fixed amount of time.
Heat and noise are the two byproducts of higher rotational speed.
Heat impacts the performance of the electronics within the computer, especially if there is poor ventilation. 
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22. Selecting a Network Interface Card (NIC)
A network interface card (NIC) is a computer circuit board or card that is installed in a computer so that it can be connected to a network.
Personal computers and workstations on a local area network (LAN) typically contain a network interface card specifically designed for the LAN transmission technology, such as Ethernet.
Network interface cards provide a dedicated, full-time connection to a network.
The modem provides the connection interface to the Internet service provider.
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23. Disaster Planning
Disaster planning helps you avoid problems with hardware and software.
Reducing the effects of disasters is like buying insurance.
You want to have enough but you don’t want to waste money on buying too much.
Basically, it is a challenge to balance the costs and the benefits.
In a server, the objective is fault tolerance which is the ability of a system to keep running even when a component fails.
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24. Disaster Assessment and Recovery
To prevent disasters in a server environment, determine:
What can go wrong
What effects it will have on the organization
What it will take to fix
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25. Disaster Assessment and Recovery…
Preventing Hardware Disasters:
Determine what will happen if each component fails
How to replace failed hardware
How to restore software (if applicable)
Who will diagnose hardware problems
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26. Disaster Assessment and Recovery…
Preventing Software Disasters:
Software disasters are more complex than hardware disasters
Could be a combination of application software and the operating system
You may be directed to install software that may not work correctly
Document installation and problems in detail
Make sure that support is available
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27. Disaster Assessment and Recovery…
Solving Electrical Problems:
If components are not attached to an uninterrupted power supply (UPS), an overload circuit could cause a component to restart itself
An overloaded UPS can also cause its battery to become too drained
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28. System Redundancy
Redundancy is a system design in which a component is duplicated so if it fails there will be a backup. 
Servers and switches often have multiple power supplies so if one fails, the other(s) can take over
In case the devices do not have redundancy built in, try to have as much spare hardware on hand as appropriate for the number of devices, reliability, and cost
Also useful are warranties that allow for replacement within 24 hours
Provisioning of a datacentre to survive a range of failure scenarios has become critical for many businesses. 
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29. A RAID (redundant array of independent disks) system can prevent data loss when a single drive malfunctions
With RAID technology, data can be mirrored on one or more other disks in the same array, so that if one disk fails, the data is preserved.
The RAID levels are:
RAID 0 – 6, 10
RAID vendors
Dell
EMC
Fujitsu HP
IBM
Intel
LSI
Mediasonic
NetApp
NetGear
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30. Disk Redundancy through RAID
Data is duplicated across two drives (mirroring)
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31. Disk Redundancy through RAID
RAID 5 (most common)
Distributes data across a minimum of 3 drives
If any one of the drives fails, data can be recovered from the remaining drives
is the best choice in multi-user environments 
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32. Achieving High Availability with Multiple Servers
Clustering is a technology in which a set of loosely connected or tightly connected computers work together so that in many respects they can be viewed as a single system.
Clustering has three major purposes:
Computing power, you may have such a need, no single computer can handle the demand.
A cluster of inexpensive computers can offer more computing power than one large one.
Fault tolerance
A design that enables a system to continue operating properly in the event of the failure of some of its components. Fault-tolerance is particularly sought-after in high-availability or life-critical systems.
High availability
are groups of computers that support server applications that can be reliably utilized with a minimum of down-time.
They operate by harnessing redundant computers in groups or clusters that provide continued service when system components fail.
IBM uses computers in a cluster that serve different purposes
Microsoft’s approach is to distribute the computing load among distinct servers
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33. Setting Up Backup Systems
The term "backup," which has become synonymous with data protection, may be accomplished via several methods.
You should maintain a series of backups so you can restore data from a specific date
Types of backup methods
Full – all data is backed up
When subsequent backups are run, the entire list of files will be backed up again.
The advantage of this backup is restores are fast and easy as the complete list of files are stored each time.
The disadvantage is that each backup run is time consuming as the entire list of files is copied again. 
Also, full backups take up a lot more storage space 
Differential – backs up all files that are new or changed since last full backup
With differential backups, one full backup is done first and subsequent backup runs are the changes made since the last full backup.
The result is a much faster backup than a full backup for each backup run. 
Incremental – backs up all files that are new or changed since the last incremental backup
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34. Backup Considerations
Consider these three issues when performing backups.
Back up complete operating system
On Windows systems, you have to make sure that the Registry is backed up (registry is always open, make sure software can do registry backup)
Back up special application files
DBMSs and Exchange keep files open, which cannot be backed up without special backup software modules
Back up data files (such as text, spreadsheet)
Easy and straightforward unless user has files open
Server Installation Preparation