1. Chapter 3 Chapter 3: Server Hardware

2. Chapter 3 Learning Objectives n Describe the base system requirements for Windows NT 4.0 Server n Explain how to select hardware that is compatible with Windows NT 4.0 Server n Determine the appropriate CPU size, bus architecture, and amount of memory required for an NT server continued

3. Chapter 3 Learning Objectives n Select a NIC for the server n Select the appropriate disk storage, disk storage fault tolerance, and tape system for NT Server n Select a CD-ROM drive or DC-ROM array n Set up and test a server

4. Chapter 3 System Requirements to Install Windows NT Server continued

5. Chapter 3 System Requirements to Install Windows NT Server

6. Chapter 3 Windows NT 4.0 Server Compatibility n Hardware Compatibility List (HCL): A list of computer hardware tested by Microsoft and determined to be compatible with Windows NT 4.0 n Canonical source u http://www.microsoft.com/hcl

7. Chapter 3 Hardware Included on the HCL n Single-processor computers n Multiprocessor computers n RISC computers n Processor upgrades n PCMCIA hardware n SCSI adapters and drives n Video adapters n Network adapters n Audio adapters n Modems n Printers n Tape devices n Uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs)

8. Chapter 3 CPU Sizing n Most Intel-based servers are Pentium® III and Pentium II computers with a CPU clock speed of 450 MHz or faster F Coming soon - Itanium® processor F Can also run Pentium Pro, 200MHz and up F Single-CPU or 2-way, 4-way multiprocessor n Fast clock speeds and latest peripherals u Helps multithreading and multitasking u Better server response time

9. Chapter 3 Multiprocessor Computers n Capabilities are fully exploited by Windows NT Server n Many are made to be used specifically as servers F High-reliability hardware (“hot swap”, redundant devices) F Built-in management features (temperature, diagnostics by modem, etc.)

10. Chapter 3 Bus Architectures n Internal bus: carries instructions about computer operations to the CPU F between RAM memory and CPU n External bus: carries data to be processed F between CPU and peripherals F many servers include more than one n Type of bus influences server speed F “balanced” system bus  doesn’t choke CPU

11. Chapter 3 Bus Types n Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) n Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) n Microchannel Architecture (MCA) F currently, almost dead n Peripheral Computer Interface (PCI) n Infiniband® architecture (IBA)

12. Chapter 3 Bus Architectures

13. Chapter 3 Serial and Parallel buses n Parallel (PCI, EISA, ISA) F multiple data bits sent at same time F “transaction” oriented - one transaction at a time (unpredictable performance, lockups) F short wires  only works inside the box n Serial (Infiniband) F data are serialized (one at a time) F “packet” oriented F can run over long distances F very, very fast (2.5Gbps)

14. Chapter 3 Selecting a Network Interface Card (NIC) n Purchase a 32-bit PCI NIC F Many Gbps NICs use 64-bit PCI n Purchase from a brand-name vendor in the Microsoft HCL n Consider one that offers combination of options for speed and cabling n Obtain the most recent driver from the NIC manufacturer F Generally, check manufacturer’s website

15. Chapter 3 Example Installation of a Server NIC

16. Chapter 3 Memory Requirements n Critical component of a server n Installation of extra RAM can boost server performance n Server memory often installed in single inline memory modules (SIMMs) A 72-pin SIMM

17. Chapter 3 Installing a SIMM

18. Chapter 3 Disk Storage n Disk capacity n Disk contention n Fault tolerance

19. Chapter 3 Disk Capacity n Calculate space for: u Operating system files u Software files u Data and database files u User files u General public files u Utility files u Server management files

20. Chapter 3 Disk Contention n Number of simultaneous requests to read or write data onto a disk n Can be reduced through design of server disk storage n Primary design issues u Speed of individual disks (disk access time) u Speed of the disk controllers u Speed of the data pathway (data transfer rate) u Number of disk pathways u Disk caching

21. Chapter 3 Disk Controller Connecting a Disk Drive Disk drive Disk controller Server e.g., PCI e.g., SCSI

22. Chapter 3 SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) Adapter n A 32- or 64-bit computer adapter that transports data between attached devices n Used to provide high-speed data transfer to reduce bottlenecks n Best choice for modern server

23. Chapter 3 SCSI Interface Data Transfer Rates

24. Chapter 3 Using an Ultra SCSI Adapter to Connect Several Devices Server SCSI cable Controller and disk drive unit Ultra SCSI adapter plugged into main server board Controller and tape unit with SCSI cable terminated on the controller card Controller is usually part of drive assembly (i.e., attached to drive)

25. Chapter 3 Using Two SCSI Adapters to Create Separate Data Paths Controller and disk drive unit Ultra SCSI adapter Server SCSI cable Ultra SCSI adapter

26. Chapter 3 Disk Storage Fault Tolerance n Plan for disk redundancy in servers and host computers u Install backup disks u Install RAID drives

27. Chapter 3 Disk Mirroring n A fault tolerance method that prevents data loss by duplicating data from a main disk to a backup disk n Referred to by some operating systems as disk shadowing n Can be done in hardware... F Leaves data inaccessible if adapter fails n … or software F NT performs all writes on each drive

28. Chapter 3 Disk Mirroring (hardware) adapter Server Secondary drive Primary drive

29. Chapter 3 Disk Duplexing n A fault tolerance method that prevents data loss by duplicating data from a main disk to a backup disk n Backup disk is placed on a different adapter than is used by the main disk

30. Chapter 3 Disk Duplexing Primary drive Redundant adapter for mirrored drive Adapter for primary drive Redundant drive mirroring primary drive Server

31. Chapter 3 RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) n A set of standards to extend the life of hard disk drives and to prevent data loss from a hard disk failure n Eight levels of RAID F don’t need to memorize, but do need to know advantages/disadvantages n Set up using the Disk Administrator which offers several disk management options

32. Chapter 3 Selecting Disk Storage Fault Tolerance n Importance of data stored on server n How soon a server must be working after a disk problem n Amount of data stored on the server n Budget constraints

33. Chapter 3 Selecting a Tape System n Another form of redundancy to protect data n Consider a SCSI-based tape drive, making it the only device connected to the SCSI adapter u higher performance with separate adapter, since less competition with other I/O

34. Chapter 3 Connecting a Tape Drive to a Separate SCSI Adapter Server Controller RAID unit Controller Ultra SCSI adapter Tape drive unit SCSI cable Ultra SCSI adapter

35. Chapter 3 Choosing a CD-ROM Drive n Necessary to load the NT Server operating system and other software that is only available on CD-ROM n A CD-ROM “jukebox” or server can be connected to the Windows NT server by using a SCSI adapter

36. Chapter 3 Setting Up and Testing the Server n Boot the computer to make sure it works n Install components such as NICs, SCSI adapters, RAM, and tape drives (if not preinstalled) n Test each device n Boot the computer and let it run for several days as a “burn in” period

37. Chapter 3 Chapter Summary n Match hardware selection with the role the server will play on the network. n Check the Microsoft Hardware Compatibility List to make sure all components will work with Windows NT Server. continued

38. Chapter 3 Chapter Summary n Computers use different types of bus architectures, such as ISA, EISA, MCA, and PCI. u For many installations, a combination of EISA and PCI expansion buses works best F New servers mostly PCI F Infiniband on the horizon (future) u Selection of the NIC depends on network and computer requirements continued

39. Chapter 3 Chapter Summary n Selection of disk storage depends on capacity, speed, and data transfer rate; also consider fault-tolerance options. n Most servers have at least one CD- ROM drive. n Install and test all components.