It is not a secret that the function of a hard disk drive in a server is different from the function of disks used in desktop PC, laptops or other computers and is predominantly determined by server's task that in its turn is being integrated in some network. Accordingly, hard disks in servers should bear high loads and serve more users than standard PCs. A request to transfer data to a user or to a device can be made at any point of time and should be processed within minimum delays as it is possible. It means that a hard drive in server should be functional and active at any point of time and at the same time an ordinary desktop PC may be put in a standby mode when real time access is not required. And it is not only one hard disk drive: servers never consist of one drive (be it HDD or SSD), it consists of at least two drives, part of RAID array to ensure higher performance and reliability.
Typical fields of application of servers and its requirements
Three main factors that influence the selection of hard disk drives are as follows:
- application installed in the system,
- stored on it data,
- significance of applications and data for company
From the technical point of view, the first and foremost role should be played by drive’s performance that has three main elements:
- Speed. The dicisive, in this sense, is a parameter of quantity of IOPS (input/output operations per second), that a hard drive can process, as well as the number of source data (useful information without headers) that are transferred within a certain period of time.
- Delays, i.e. time between data request and a moment when data reaches users.
- Reliability – continuity of life of data carrier may be the decisive factor if data should be stored during a long period of time.
For continuation see part II.