Chapter-by-Chapter Breakdown

This book is organized into chapters that cover the components of a server and its environment. While a PC might be located almost anywhere, servers are often located in a specialized environment, such as a rack mount or server room. This book covers both the components inside a server and the devices and environment outside the server chassis.

Chapter 1, "The History of Servers," helps you understand the roots of today's server technology. From the first "supercomputers" and the development of ARPAnet (the ancestor of the Internet) and Novell NetWare (the first true network operating system) to modern servers and operating systems, this chapter helps you understand where servers came from and how they're used today.

Chapter 2, "Server Microprocessors," includes detailed coverage of all the Intel and AMD processors that have been used in servers. It discusses processors designed for desktops and adapted to server use, such as the Intel Pentium II, Pentium III, Pentium 4, and Pentium D, with particular emphasis on the features that make these processors suitable for use in servers. It also discusses processors designed for use in serverssuch as the Intel Pentium II Xeon, Pentium III Xeon, Xeon, Xeon MP; Itanium family; Athlon MP; Opteron; and RISC processorsshowing how these processors are optimized for larger and more powerful servers and for four-way and larger configurations. This chapter also covers the roles of L1, L2, and L3 cache, along with how multiprocessor servers handle data flow. Detailed reference charts and tables of processors and processor sockets help you choose the best processor for the server task and speed needed.

Chapter 3, "Server Chipsets," provides a comprehensive discussion of server chipsets. This chapter discusses the features, processor compatibilities, applications of major server chipsets from Intel, ServerWorks, AMD, Hewlett-Packard, and other major chipset vendors. Diagrams and tables help you understand how chipsets control server architecture.

Chapter 4, "Server Motherboards and BIOS," covers server motherboard form factors, components, power supplies, system buses, embedded resources, and BIOS settings in detail. While some servers use motherboard form factors similar to those found in PCs, many use form factors designed to provide more motherboard area for the additional components found in a server, such as those developed by the Server System Infrastructure (SSI) initiative. This chapter shows you how these form factors differ and helps you understand which form factor is appropriate for a particular task. This chapter also discusses how to configure the special BIOS settings found in many servers and ends with a discussion of troubleshooting motherboard and BIOS issues.

Chapter 5, "Memory," provides a detailed discussion of server memory, including the latest in main memory specifications and error-correction technologies. Next to the processor and motherboard, the system memory is one of the most important parts of a server. It's also one of the most difficult things to understand because it is somewhat intangible, and how it works is not always obvious. This chapter helps you understand how SDRAM, DDR, and DDR-2 memory differ; why some servers use registered memory; the role of parity-checked memory in servers old and new; how different memory technologies use different methods to report speed; and how to determine the memory type of a particular memory module. You should read this chapter before you populate a new server motherboard or upgrade the memory in an existing server.

Chapter 6, "The ATA/IDE Interface," provides a detailed discussion of ATA/IDE, including types and specifications. It covers the Ultra ATA modes that allow 133MBps operation and how servers are moving to SATA for hard disk storage and are relegating ATA/IDE to optical drive support. This chapter discusses RAID arrays, as well as how to overcome the drive size limits found in some operating systems.

Chapter 7, "The SCSI Bus," discusses SCSI, the drive standard used in most servers for primary and backup storage. Both parallel SCSI (SPI and UltraSCSI) and the new Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) standard that is based on SATA are covered in detail. This chapter also covers the low-voltage differential signaling used by some of the higher-speed devices on the market, as well as the latest information on cables, terminators, SCSI configurations, and SCSI troubleshooting.

Chapter 8, "I/O System Hardware," covers USB, video displays and ports, keyboards, and optical drive technologies used in servers. It discusses troubleshooting methods, including driver, firmware, and hardware upgrades, as well as typical configurations.

Chapter 9, "Backup Operations," discusses the leading multivendor tape backup standards used in servers: Travan, DDS4, DAT 72, DLT, SDLT, and Ultrium. Detailed capacities, specifications, typical configurations, and installation instructions are provided for each type. It also discusses autoloaders and tape libraries, as well as alternative backup technologies, such as disk-to-disk (D2D), Iomega REV, and DVD. A review of backup methods and strategies, dealing with open files and backup software products and integrated utilities, completes the chapter.

Chapter 10, "Network Operations," provides a comprehensive look at network hardware, protocols, and operations. It discusses the selection, installation, advanced configuration, and hardware compatibility factors for network adapters from 10Mbps through 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and fiber based. It also covers TCP/IP protocol and troubleshooting tools for Windows, Sun, Linux, and UNIX. The chapter also includes coverage of older protocols still used in some networks, such as IPX/SPX, AppleTalk, and NetBEUI/NetBIOS.

Chapter 11, "Disk Subsystems," discusses ATA/IDE, Ultra160 and Ultra320 SCSI, and Fibre Channel disk subsystems, adapters, cables, and backplanes. Because many servers include RAID arrays, this chapter discusses the most common types of RAID arrays, from RAID 0 to RAID 10, how to upgrade an existing array, and how to troubleshoot RAID problems.

Chapter 12, "Storage Area Networks," discusses storage area network (SAN) components, configurations, use, and troubleshooting. Because SAN devices combine hard disk and network technologies, they can be challenging to work with for first-time users. This chapter helps you put SAN technology to work on your network.

Chapter 13, "Fault Tolerance," discusses the wide range of methods used to keep servers and networks running, even in the face of device or system failures. It discusses mesh configurations; RAID array rebuilding; network segmentation; redundant power supplies, fans, and memory; software maintenance; server management software; and antivirus software.

Chapter 14, "Power Protection," discusses how to protect servers from power failure with redundant power supplies, battery backup (UPS) units, and surge protection. This chapter helps you find the right UPS technology, VA rating, features, and runtime for your server. It also discusses typical UPS configurations, how to install a new UPS, and how to choose a standard or redundant power supply.

Chapter 15, "Chassis," discusses the different types of chassis (pedestal, rack mounted, wall mounted, ATX, and BTX) used for servers. Other topics include how to choose the right specifications for a particular task, how to approach chassis manage airflow and cooling issues, how to switch convertible chassis from pedestal to rack mounted, and how to remove a typical Intel server chassis.

Chapter 16, "Server Racks and Blades," discusses server rack and cabinet types. It also covers how to select a server rack by size and features, how to mount a server, and how to install a KVM switch.

Chapter 17, "Server Rooms," discusses the features needed in a server closet and data center. It also discusses planning, cable management, cooling, noise, floor elevation, safety, and security issues.

Chapter 18, "Server Platforms: Network Operating Systems," discusses major features, benefits, and licensing issues for the leading server operating systems, including Windows 2000 Server, Windows Server 2003, Novell NetWare 6.5, Sun Solaris, and Red Hat Linux. This chapter provides leading errors and solutions for each server operating system, along with guidance in selecting the best server operating system for a particular situation.

Chapter 19, "Sun Microsystems Servers," discusses the unique features of Sun's RISC-based architecture and analyzes the SPARC 32-bit and UltraSPARC architectures. It discusses each server category supported by Sun, from entry-level servers to blade servers. It also covers the Solaris operating system and its management tools, as well as methods used for integrating Sun servers into an x86 (Intel-compatible) network.

Chapter 20, "Building, Upgrading, and Deploying Servers," discusses the process of implementing a server. It also covers budgets for hardware, software, peripherals, upgrades, and network access, as well as the network's purpose, location, and size and how to install and maintain the network. A sample project plan helps you understand the process.

Chapter 21, "Server Testing and Maintenance," discusses the process of performance analysis, using both integrated and third-party tools, how to diagnose problems, and how to perform routine maintenance, such as drive testing, defragmentation, antivirus protection, and chassis/fan cleaning. It also covers how to detect problems through error logs, implement hardware redundancy, and do disaster recovery planning.

The book also contains three appendixes that provide useful background and references:

• Appendix A, "Glossary," lists server, computer, and network terms and their definitions.

• Appendix B, "List of Acronyms and Abbreviations," lists the meanings of acronyms and abbreviations you are likely to encounter as you work with servers.

• Appendix C, "Vendor List," provides an up-to-date list of server and PC vendors of systems, components, peripherals, software, and accessories.