A server hard drive rises above a typical desktop hard drive, in terms of features and functionalities. A server hard drive is equipped with advanced features needed to cater to the needs of a modern server, which surpass those found in a typical desktop hard drive. Many features and attributes found in a server hard drive are far superior and more cutting-edge than most hard drives for desktops and laptops; therefore, a thorough understanding of what a server hard drive is, what server hard drives do, and what some of the main qualities of a server hard drive are is necessary. 

In this article, we are going to help you answer these questions and equip you with the correct tools needed to buy the best server hard drive for your systems, like Western Digital’s WD2001FYYG-23SL3W1 and Seagate’s 9TE066-035. Fish out your notepad and let’s get right to it! 

What is the Definition of a Server Hard Drive? 

A server is just a computer system that is tasked with providing resources such as files, media, and any kind of information to client systems using a dedicated protocol. A local Area Network or a Wide Area Network is usually the internet network over which the resources are shared among the clients by a server system. According to the need it caters to, a server may be classified as a web server, a file server, an application server, a management server, etc. We can also say that a server is any computer that can share information with other computers. It operates in quite a simple fashion, a client requests a piece of certain information, and a server then responds to it. 

The server’s hard disk drive is the storage option best suited for moderate- to advanced-level servers. It is the best storage device that is capable of catering to multiple storage needs with high precision without compromising data integrity. 

The best server hard drive is capable of working without exhaustion and storing data and information around the clock. It only pauses for a limited time during servicing and maintenance; otherwise, it consistently reads and writes the crucial information without taking a break.

The best server hard drive always delivers high performance, reduced latency, and high reliability. The best server hard drive is always reliable and keeps your data secure from unwanted losses. The best server hard drive is capable of keeping up with the fast-paced storage needs of a powerful server, ensuring high performance. The best server hard drive is the one that keeps the response time as short as possible and saves the users’ time. These qualities can be found in 9TE066-035 and WD2001FYYG-23SL3W1.

Server Types 

Server Tower

Tower-based servers are designed to stand upright. They are crafted specially to fit inside an upright cabinet and work as a single server. Although these servers can be placed atop a desk, they require more space and need a strong base. Tower-type servers require a large number of monitors, keyboards, and other peripherals, which increases the number of cables and necessitates special consideration. You should opt for a tower server if your workplace has enough space and if you can easily afford to have one. 

Server Rack

It is another type of server that is carefully designed to fit a rack. A rack is capable of housing several servers, piled on top of one another. These servers come in the sizes of 1 to 4 U, where U is the measure of the cabinet. These servers are employed by organizations and businesses that usually have intense storage needs and require ultra-fast performance. Due to their ability to handle various loads, they are commonly found in data centers and small to medium enterprises. These can be the best servers for you if you need multiple servers or if you have some equipment that is rack-mounted as well. The best server type for you will be a rack-type server. 

Server Blade

Another server type, the blade, is popular for high-density applications because of its unparalleled compactness. Its modular structure is designed to use as little space and power as possible. It serves as a channel between the computers, services, systems, and applications in a computer network to distribute and manage data. It enables larger-scale expansion by enabling the integration of numerous servers into a single large chassis, or blade system. The convergent computing platform is the name given to them as a result.

How to Buy The Best Server Hard Drive

Before you go shopping for a new server hard drive, we are giving you a list of things you should be aware of. If you are looking for suggestions, WD2001FYYG-23SL3W1 and 9TE066-035 might be good options for you.

The Difference between SATA and SAS Server Hard Drive

SATA, or Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, is one of the most advanced interfaces available on the market and is commonly used in server hard drives. On the other hand, we have SAS, or Serial Attached SCSI, which is another common protocol found in hard drives to ensure the transfer of data. The SAS provides high bandwidth in comparison with SATA.  This equilibrium tipped in favor of SATA with the introduction of SATA-III, which features a bandwidth of 6 Gbps, which is comparable to the second installment of SAS. Nowadays, server hard drives are equipped with the latest generation of SAS, which delivers an uninterruptible bandwidth of 12 GB/s. 

If we draw any conclusions from this analysis, 2.5-inch SATA server hard drives work well for bulk storage but fall short in terms of performance compared to SAS drives, which provide substantially faster performance.

Server Hard Drive Form Factor

The most popular form factor, which has bigger capabilities to support your enormous storage needs, is 3.5 inches. For corporate database servers with fairly heavy storage needs, it is typically advisable to choose a 4 TB server hard drive from any top storage vendor, such as Western Digital WD2001FYYG-23SL3W1 or Seagate 9TE066-035. However, 3.5-inch HDDs are less energy-efficient than 2.5-inch HDDs. A 2.5-inch HDD’s disadvantage is its reduced storage capacity, which is unaffected by 3.5-inch hard drives, which provide larger capacity at more competitive pricing points.

Server Hard Drive Capacity 

Choosing the system with the highest capacity is not advised in the case of server systems. Refrain from depending solely on a single storage disc on your server, just as you should not concentrate all of your resources in a single area. To maintain dependability and redundancy, always combine numerous HDDs or at least two HDDs. For instance, rather than choosing a single 4 TB module, it is preferable to choose four 1 TB HDDs or two 2 TB HDDs if you need 4 TB of storage for your server.

Conclusion

To sum things up, we have given you a list of things that you need to know before you set out to hunt for the best server hard drive for your server. You should be well aware of what your server is and how it operates. Only then will you be able to clearly understand your server’s storage requirements. Once you know what you are buying, you should be aware of certain things, like the interface, which determines the read and write speeds of your server hard drive, followed by the form factor that fits the server as well as the capacity you should be looking for.