Servers have evolved from decentralized satellites located throughout an organization to more centralized administration hubs. The traditional method for consolidating servers was to stack them in bulky towers. In recent years, however, thinner servers have transformed those towers into slimmer racks. The setup saves space and provides easier access for administrators, but each server typically requires its own power access, network and switching. And the configuration can be a cabling nightmare. According to industry experts, the use of blade servers, which can eliminate many of those obstacles, is the next stage of server consolidation.
The lingo of blade computing is somewhat ambiguous. A blade server is usually considered the chassis or rack - which is designed to optimize the computing process - that in turn stores a number of server blades, which are hot-swappable devices. Each server blade is essentially an independent server that has one or more processors and its own memory and network controllers. Server blades have their own operating system and run their own applications. Individual server blades slide into the chassis - comprising a blade server - and then share a common infrastructure with other blades. Shared components could include a power supply, fans and cooling systems, Ethernet connections, and switching.
Simply, blade technology allows IT managers to pack more computing power into less space. For example, the Egenera BladeFrame System can hold 96 high-end Intel processors in a 24-inch by 30-inch by 84-inch chassis. IBM's BladeCenter T chassis allows firms to pack 80 processors in an 84-inch rack. Traditional server racks typically hold no more than 42 devices.
Tim Dougherty, IBM's director of blade strategy in Armonk, N.Y., says blades "enable you to simplify your data center." By combining things like servers, switching and Ethernet inside "the same enclosure, you not only get savings in power and space," but it makes it easier to manage the entire system, he asserts. "It's a much easier infrastructure to deploy than the rack-mount servers." And it's cheaper.
According to "Why Blade Servers?" by Mark Chapman of the IBM Server Group, blade servers have six major cost-savings advantages over traditional rack servers:
- Lower purchase price. Blades eliminate the need for duplicate components and can reduce cabling costs.
- Lower installation costs. Traditional rack servers require assembly, configuration and cabling, much of which is eliminated with blades.
- Less power consumption. By using low-end processors, blades can save money on power and cooling costs.
- Space reduction. The increased density of blade computing allows firms to use less space for more equipment.
- Lower failure costs. Traditional servers require dedicated fans, cables and accessories, increasing the risk of failure. Blades require fewer components, reducing the likelihood of a component failing.
- Scaled purchasing power. Firms can buy just the computing power they need now and add blades as their processing requirements increase in the future.
Despite these advantages, Dougherty notes, winning over Wall Street is no easy task. "Not everybody is convinced they see the value of blades. Some people are a little skeptical of taking things and embedding them in the blade center." But once they see the benefits, he says, "They see value."
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