January/February 2001

BY JAMES BLADEL

After months of development, you're finally ready. You've built a killer app, one that was born to live on the Web. Soon, thousands will wonder how they ever lived without it and Web magazines will tout its worth. Now, as your calendar reminds you that "Launch Day" is approaching, a simple question occupies your mind: What hardware platform will best support your application?

It might seem like a minor issue, except the success of your Web-native application (not to mention your business model) is riding on how this question is answered. You could spend hours listening to sales pitches, searching on the Net, or deferring to the technology "evangelists" in your organization who constantly espouse the virtues of one brand over another. The wiser move would be to support your decision by analyzing the business case for each platform. By examining what each server offers in terms of form factor, reliability, features, and vendor relationship, you will find that the hardware selection process does not have to be difficult.

SERVER FORM FACTOR
The selection of processor architecture is one consideration that was probably addressed in the initial phases of software development. While all systems have their respective merits, none can match the Intel-compatible (x86) architecture for its abundance of available software tools. Servers in the x86 family have the widest variety of choices for compatible hardware, operating systems, Web servers, database engines, and development tools. Take advantage of the head start offered by these utilities, and select a system driven by an x86-compatible processor.

Systems driven by CPUs in the x86 family have another distinct advantage: They are usually much less expensive than the alternatives. Theoretically, it would be possible to acquire a multi-million-dollar supercomputer to host your application, but in practice such a move would not make good business sense. A cluster of smaller, less costly x86 servers can achieve the same level of performance and reliability as any massive, costly mainframe or mini-computer.

Whether you intend to deploy your servers at a leased location or host your application from your own office, the physical size of the hardware platform should be a factor in your decision. High-density computers that occupy less space in the equipment rack translate into smaller lease payments in a hosting facility, a smaller data center in your building, and more room left over to scale your application as it grows. In both cases, space translates into overhead, so selecting the smallest server that fits the needs of your application contributes directly to your profits.

RELIABILITY FEATURES
For many, the term "server" conjures up images of a large computer, sporting multiple disk drives, power supplies, and fans. In reality, however, this may not be the best course for achieving reliability in a computer system. Having redundant components, even those more likely to fail, leaves a large number of vulnerabilities in your system -- any one of which could bring your application down. A "clustered" approach can eliminate single points of failure and maximize uptime in the hosted application. Successful adoption of this model, perfected by the telecommunications industry, is the optimal method for achieving "five-nines" (e.g., 99.999 percent) or "carrier-class" reliability.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link and similarly a cluster of computers must be comprised of high-quality units. Building a cluster of generic, low-grade servers is a recipe for disaster. Does the server provide adequate interior cooling or will the components run too hot? Is the power supply capable of supporting your hardware or will it strain under load and have a shorter life span? Systems that are not designed with these considerations in mind can fail under heavy transaction activity and degrade the performance of the overall cluster.

If your servers are to be deployed in a leased location or if you are concerned about safety in your data center, then pay special attention to the certifications and markings on candidate systems. Understand the requirements a safety certification (UL, cUL) and an emissions mark (FCC, CISPER). Co-location facilities that adopt telecommunications standards may also require that all installed equipment adhere to the rigorous NEBS specification, meaning the unit conforms to strict safety and emissions guidelines developed by Bellcore (now Telcordia Technologies) for telecom central office use.

In addition to electromagnetic emissions, mounting a large number of computers in a small physical area can lead to a tangle of network, power, and other cables. More than half of all network outages can be traced to a cable-related failure. Ensure that the server installation includes a clean, reliable cable management system.

Once your systems are deployed, consider how they will be managed. Unless you plan on hiring a babysitter, ensure that the servers you select include remote management and alarm systems. Top quality servers will monitor critical environmental variables, such as the internal temperature of the chassis, fan rotation speed, and the output of the power supply. The management system should also provide a secure method for accessing the monitored data, either via dialup or IP connection. A notification system like this will alert your staff to a potential problem -- before it causes a critical failure. Requiring these reliability features in your servers will guarantee your customers fast and dependable access to your software services.

HARDWARE VENDOR OR HARDWARE PARTNER?
Anyone making a decision on a server platform should consider the business relationship formed between you and the hardware provider. The provider's ability to deliver products and services tailored to your unique requirements will determine the success of your business. Seek out server providers that ask questions and take the time to learn your business and offer configuration advice and the benefit of their experience.

It is important that you understand the business model of your server platform provider. Are they a hardware reseller or do they design and manufacture servers? A reseller typically has no control over the product they are offering and cannot make changes to the standard configurations in their lineup. In some cases, they are also relying upon the original manufacturer for support and service issues. A server manufacturer, on the other hand, has designed and built your computer system and can customize it to your liking. With the manufacturer's first-hand knowledge of your configuration, they are better equipped to provide a server engineered specifically for your application and to support the hardware that supports your business.

Even better is the manufacturer that also offers integration and installation services. This presents a unique opportunity to develop a true partnership with the manufacturer of your server. This type of partner will ensure that each server system is configured identically, helping to control your configuration. Over time, this will reduce or eliminate the need to rewrite those pieces of your application that are hardware-dependent and keep your developers focused on adding new features and enhancements. Hardware developers offering this service will even construct customized quality assurance (QA) and test procedures with your software team to ensure that all servers are built and configured to your specifications.

Similarly, you can use the technical resources of your hardware partner to assist in the installation of your servers and augment your own technical staff. Look for a hardware partner that will travel to the installation site and work alongside your deployment team to set up, configure, and test the finished product. Working closely with your hardware partner through each phase of development, production, testing, and support will streamline deployment and speed the delivery of Internet software and services to your customers.

CONCLUSION
The process of selecting a server to host your Web application can determine whether or not your venture succeeds. Armed with this checklist, you are now able to objectively evaluate any server in terms of its form factor, reliability features, and the relationship developed with the vendor. Analyze each candidate server in terms of these factors and this important decision will be no trouble at all.

James Bladel is technical services director at Crystal Group, Inc., a leading provider of space-efficient server systems and integration services. 

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