Blade servers are a recent phenomenon in data centers. They are the next iteration in the migration from minicomputers of the 1980s to the commodity rack-mount microcomputer servers of today. While blade server technology has begun to make inroads in the operations of small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs), it is the smaller businesses that have taken the lead in adoption.

The operating system (OS) market is not a zero-sum game. Over 90% of enterprises with fewer than 500 employees use Microsoft Windows while 18% to 27% run Linux, UNIX, or an IBM operating system. Expect little change in OS adoption shares amongst enterprises with 100-500 employees. Look for rising adoption of a Microsoft Only configuration in enterprises with fewer than 100 employees.

With virtualization becoming a reality in x86-based data centers of all sizes, the ability to manage both the virtualized and physical servers becomes more critical. As the small enterprise tests the waters for different hypervisors, they must also ensure that the management tools provide a single-pane-of-glass view into all servers, real and virtual. Management platforms will be the real...

Blade servers have been components of many enterprise data centers for several years. Infrastructure simplification and the reduction in physical space for the same processing power make blade servers clear leaders for data center consolidation and expansion. Small enterprises can create a complete, simplified computing infrastructure using blade technologies.

Small enterprises running Windows applications and needing high availability should consider migration to Windows Server 2008. Improved clustering capabilities in the Enterprise and Data Center editions provide a cost effective failover solution for mission-critical applications.

HP's eight-socket ProLiant DL785 G5 server offers small enterprises a high performance, expandable platform for multiple applications or a critical database operation. Enterprises that need more power in a single chassis should investigate this new mid-range server.

Small enterprises running a fleet of Windows XP desktop PCs and laptops can reduce power consumption costs and carbon dioxide emissions by half by switching to Windows Vista. IT decision makers should understand how the two operating systems affect power consumption and consider the savings when conducting a total cost of ownership analysis for a Windows Vista implementation.

IT staff at many small enterprises continue to manage servers one-on-one. Even if the enterprise has only a few or a few dozen servers, server management tools provide automated capabilities to reduce the time needed for day-to-day provisioning, patching, and operational support. Understanding the functions offered by server management tools allows the IT staff to select the right tool for the...

While peer-to-peer workgroups are common in small enterprises and branch offices without access to a corporate WAN, adding a dedicated network server with specialized server OS and software can deliver significant benefits. IT leaders should evolve the workgroup to a server-client network.

Virtual servers require high availability and dynamic provisioning, usually provided by a storage area network (SAN). However, for smaller enterprises, SAN implementations can be costly. However, the same technology that virtualizes servers can also be used to create a virtual SAN array. A virtual SAN has significant savings potential for smaller enterprises and branch office VM deployment.

Apple continues to update the hardware and software for its Xserve rack-mount server. For Apple Mac-centric businesses that want a robust and recognized basic workgroup server, the Xserve is worth consideration.

Dense x86-based computing architectures are often marketed to larger enterprises that utilize hundreds or thousands of servers. These same technologies can greatly benefit small enterprises that need a few dozen servers but lack physical space to expand the data center. Understanding the issues and benefits of dense computing systems will help to decide if they might be right for the small...

While small enterprises have installed blade servers at a faster rate than mid-sized enterprises, there are certain restrictions that may limit their use. Understanding where blade systems lag other server form-factors ensures that the best server selection is made for small enterprise requirements.

Microsoft released its Windows Vista operating system at the tail end of 2006. Many organizations opted to wait until Microsoft released Service Pack 1 before adopting it. On the eve of SP1 general release, Info-Tech queried early adopters about the motivating factors for Windows Vista adoption. Understand the influential factors to peer organizations before defining the Vista strategy.

Every SME has an obligation to protect customer data, financial information, and intellectual property from theft, deletion, or modification from hackers, saboteurs, and insiders. One important method for demonstrating that the company did everything in its power to prevent or mitigate attacks is through the use of event logs.

Before acquiring a dedicated network server for that peer-to-peer workgroup, formulate a plan that defines both purchase trade-offs and hardware requirements. Purchase questions include issues such as buying vs. leasing and new vs. used. Hardware requirements include processor number, speed, cores, storage (RAM and HD) and backup.

Many small enterprises are still reluctant to buy into the Vista wow factor. Almost a year after its initial release, security enhancements are the main reason for adoption, and most view this upgrade as an incremental improvement rather than a must have. Small enterprises embarking on a Vista migration should learn best practices, planning tips, and strategic guidance from peers who have already...

IBM is courting smaller enterprises with its iSeries Solution Edition. The low end offering, System i5 520, begins at about $22,000. While this price seems competitive with x64 processor-based servers, most small enterprises should still avoid the iSeries.

It's only a matter of time before Vista begins its inevitable push into enterprise client PC infrastructure. Although Info-Tech sees the vast majority of enterprises taking at least 12 to 18 months to get their Vista migration plans into gear, it is never too early for small enterprises to lay out the plan.

Small enterprise IT leaders deploying applications often face a choice between server operating systems (OSes). Evaluate the role-suitability of OS candidates by examining the technical, licensing, and interoperability features. Shortlist the OS options that meet those needs.

Small enterprise IT leaders in all but the tiniest of enterprises are likely to deploy multiple operating systems to support business applications. Choose between available candidates by considering the business suitability of each in terms of costs, the quality and availability of support, and the product's rate of change.

Active Directory (AD) was designed as an improvement over NT domains to provide more consistent and efficient management of an enterprise's infrastructure and resources. That goal cannot be achieved without proper planning. Implement forests, domains, and organizational units appropriately for a robust and functional AD deployment.

High availability (HA) for key applications is a requirement for businesses of all sizes. Small enterprises have fewer resources to allocate in creating an HA data center and so must be more adept at selecting the right components. Understand business needs and technologies to create a viable and cost effective strategy for HA.

Blade servers are finding their way into enterprises of all sizes, with the smallest and the largest businesses leading the migration. Products from these four evaluated blade server vendors offer capabilities to support most small businesses. While any would be a good choice, their pricing sets them apart. Unless there are some unique features or functions not offered by a vendor, the deciding...

Small shops considering adding a dedicated workgroup server to their existing peer-to-peer network have one priority: set and forget. Unlike larger enterprise server software, workgroup server software is expected to deliver many services efficiently from one physical box. Several vendors have addressed these issues and are seizing the opportunity to provide “set and forget” workgroup server...

The Dell PowerEdge 1955 blade server solution offers excellent entry level pricing and good scalability. The Dell PowerEdge 1955 is a solid choice for any small enterprise that is searching for a server consolidation or high-availability blade server solution.

Egenera’s BladeFrame ES placed in the Competitor Zone of the Info-Tech Decision Diamond. The BladeFrame ES only ships in a high availability configuration, and as a result the Egenera BladeFrame ES is not a good solution for most small enterprises. It should be considered only where high availability and mission-critical processing are immediate requirements.

HP provides a well balanced blade server solution for the small enterprise. With reasonable pricing and excellent scalability, the HP BladeSystem c-Class product ranks in the Leader Zone and should be on the short list for any small enterprise looking for a blade server solution.

IBM provides a well balanced blade server solution. The same chassis and processor blades can be used for both the entry level server consolidation solution and, with optional components, migration to a high performance or mission-critical processing environment. While slightly more expensive than competitors, the IBM BladeCenter should be on the short list for any small enterprise moving to...

Collax provides server software to the small enterprise market focused on simple set up and administration. Collax Business Server is a competent workgroup server solution, but faces challenges in the form of strong competition, a high price point compared to competitors, and a distribution channel still in its infancy.

Microsoft’s Windows Small Business Server (SBS) is still the market leader in the small enterprise workgroup server software space. With robust, stable, and predictable products, SBS 2003 R2 remains the safe choice for small enterprises. However, R2 faces competition from vendors offering attractive packages aimed at small shops.

Net Integration Technologies' Nitix software won awards when bundled with a server appliance several years ago. Available now as a standalone solution, Nitix sets a new standard for small-enterprise-friendly features at a low price. Shortlist Nitix when evaluating workgroup server software options.

Inexpensive and robust, ClarkConnect 4.0 offers everything a small enterprise needs in a workgroup server. Evaluate ClarkConnect when shopping for a low hassle, low cost workgroup server software solution.

With Xandros Server, Xandros Corporation’s product roadmap offers an end-to-end IT solution consisting of desktop, server, and middleware. With a Windows-like GUI and deeply integrated software, Xandros delivers a compelling workgroup server software solution.

The small enterprise has become the latest battleground for blade server vendors IBM and HP. Both now offer smaller, complete blade chassis that can be plugged into 110V outlets and placed in an office or wiring closet. With the slightly lower entry price and the ability to include processing, storage, and networking within a single enclosure, these devices are a good fit for even more small...

Branch offices and small businesses must evaluate whether it makes more financial sense to purchase an extended service plan on x86 server hardware, or to pay per incident for hardware service. There’s a point at which the enterprise should pay for expedited service. Calculate what that point is.

For a small enterprise that has neither the expertise nor budget for proprietary server technologies, mid-range x64-based servers provide the capabilities and pricing for most SME needs. The differentiation between different vendor products can be based on support, existing relationships, and management functions. The commoditization of the mid-range server has leveled the playing field for...

The small enterprise data center can be created with a few high-performance mid-range servers, based on multi-core x64-based processors. A few of these servers can offer the performance and functionality for virtually all small and mid-sized (SME) applications. With the implementation of industry standard technologies, the hardware differentiation between vendors is minimal. For the SME, this...

Automated patch management is becoming more of a necessity everyday. Fortunately, there are patch management solutions that won’t break applications or IT’s budget, and provide clear savings for the data center.

Falling e-mail archiving prices enable small enterprises to take a better posture towards a legal environment that looks ever closer at electronic evidence. Identify business drivers and build an implementation strategy, then use these to shortlist appropriate solutions.

By selecting the right systems for the comparison, the small enterprise can determine at what point blade servers will save the enterprise money. Employ this tool to select comparable systems and to perform an effective cost comparison.

The major server vendors have recognized the small enterprise as a significant market for blade servers. Smaller form factor blade chassis were introduced for this market, bringing down the costs for blade servers. Do a detailed head-to-head comparison, including both direct and indirect costs, to see if a blade solution makes sense for the small enterprise.

Cost conscious small enterprises that find market leading VMware’s licensing costs steep should consider rival Virtual Iron. The Xen-based virtualization provider has been focusing on a functional me-too feature set at lower price points than VMware. Virtual Iron deserves consideration along with VMware on a selection short list.

Branch offices and small businesses must evaluate whether it makes more financial sense to purchase an extended service plan on x86 server hardware, or to pay per incident for hardware service. Use this worksheet to determine the point at which the enterprise should pay for expedited service.

Small enterprises looking at Linux will find that Novell’s SUSE offering is suited for standard Linux roles as well as office-worker desktop deployments. Novell’s focus on customer support particularly suits the small and mid-sized enterprise (SME) space.

Small enterprises looking at Linux will find Red Hat suited for standard Linux roles as well as highly-technical deployments. However, Red Hat's focus on complex/demanding customers may lead to a lag in responsiveness for clients that don't fit this bill.

Xandros Linux is gaining attention with three key developments: volume consumer sales of the Asus Eee notebook featuring Xandros Desktop, the upcoming BridgeWays server management tools, and the acquisition of Scalix. Small to mid-sized enterprises would do well to investigate Xandros for server and desktop Linux deployments.

For most IT staff, the idea of dense computing environments brings to mind high performance computing in universities, government, and research environments. For small enterprises with moderate processing needs and minimal data center space, these products offer an alternative to the rows of rack-mounted servers that are now the norm.

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is rapidly becoming a very compelling option for remote access and business continuity/disaster recovery scenarios. In the past, such an implementation required a connectivity infrastructure along with VDI, but that is starting to change. VMware is leading the charge to integrate connection brokering and VDI with its VMware Desktop Manager (VDM) solution....

With one or two blade chassis, smaller enterprises can create a nearly complete data center providing processing, switching, security, and storage. By carefully evaluating the current and future business processing needs, a blade server architecture can be selected, which consolidates virtually all small enterprise computing requirements into one or two chassis.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) stated in May 2006 that small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) will not be exempt from key provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. SMEs must adopt and use automated controls that tighten security around financial reporting, conform to best practices, and can be monitored for performance. This research note will assist enterprises in turning control...

VMware continues to be the market leader for x86 server virtualization. However, the license costs for VMware virtualization can be a deterrent for small enterprises. Small budget implementers who want to stay with VMware should start with its free VMware Server product. They may not have to go any further.

High availability (HA) application requirements are found in enterprises of all sizes. For the small enterprise, the task of defining what HA means to the enterprise and beginning the implementation can be a difficult task. By carefully evaluating business needs, the IT staff can create a realistic plan for HA applications.

Branch offices and enterprises with fewer than 100 employees traditionally lack adequate backup processes, a likelihood that increases when dealing with complex applications such as Exchange 2003. Evaluate Exchange 2003 backup architecture options. Where possible, move to comprehensive block-level backup solutions to ensure data recoverability.

The first indication of a server performance issue may occur when application response goes from one or two seconds to 10 or 20 seconds. Proactively monitor servers to identify and rectify potential problems before they impact application performance.

As the computing requirements of a small enterprise grow, older servers are often replaced with newer hardware even when their useful life is not over. Use these mid-life servers for less compute-intensive operations, and reduce the need for new server purchases.