microsoft windows home server 2011 unleashed 3rd edition

For starters, they don’t involve a significant capital outlay, and you won’t need an IT staff to manage the server. Why not put everything in the cloud? Services such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft’s Windows Azure, and Rackspace Cloud Hosting offer a number of benefits.

If you operate a small to medium-size business, the question isn’t “Do I need a server?” but “Which type of server do I need?” Before we get into that, however, let’s address the number-one alternative to operating and maintaining an on-site server: relying on the cloud. If you expect your business to expand, choose a server that’s scalable and can grow with you. Servers are designed to be reliable, secure, and fault-tolerant, with redundant storage options. On top of that, a server can automatically back up your desktop and laptop systems, so you’ll never lose critical data if one machine fails or is lost or stolen. Set up a virtual private network, and you and your employees can access the data on the server remotely from anywhere you have Internet access. It can host a company intranet, for sharing information with your employees quickly and economically. It’s engineered to run multiuser applications such as email, messaging, and print servers shared calendar programs databases and enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management software.Ī server also makes it easy for your employees to share data and collaborate, since it operates as a central repository for all of your documents, images, contacts, and other important files. A server runs a specialized operating system designed to support many users. A desktop computer is designed for one person who needs a user-friendly operating system to run desktop applications such as a word processor, a spreadsheet, an email client, and a Web browser. You’ll find this guide useful even if you ultimately decide to hire an IT consultant to analyze your requirements and make a purchase recommendation.Īlthough a small server might look no different from a high-end desktop PC, the machines are designed for very different tasks. I’ll also explore the chief alternative to running your own server–relying on the cloud–and provide a primer on one of today’s hottest server trends: virtualization. This guide will explain the basic principles of the technology, help you decide which class of server will best fit your needs, and give you some ballpark pricing, so you don’t overspend or acquire a product that’s insufficient for your needs. Congratulations! Acquiring a server is a big decision, so some trepidation is understandable. SAN FRANCISCO – So, your business has grown large enough that you need your first server.

Microsoft windows home server 2011 unleashed 3rd edition