Blade Servers vs. Rack Servers

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Blade servers and rack servers are the stock-in-trade of data centers, chosen for their versatility, security, and ability to configure and connect large amounts of computing power in small spaces. But while blade servers and rack servers accomplish the same goal of organizing your server base, they do it in very different ways. Which one of them you choose could have big impacts on your budget, your data architecture, your power supply, and the design of your cabling and cooling systems.

How do you know which one is right for your company? Let’s break down the things you need to know.

A rack server is one of the most useful items in IT hardware, allowing you to keep multiple servers in a safe, space-saving rack structure. Server boards are stored in mounting slots called bays and can often hold between one and eight server units. Unlike tower racks that are designed to be stored in their own cabinets, a server rack has a lower profile that sits on a shelf, keeping your servers off the floor.

See Blade Servers vs Rack Servers vs Tower Servers

Rack servers are practical for their versatility, which allows them to be stacked, extended, and perhaps most importantly, networked.

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Cons:

Heat and cabling tend to be the main ones. Rack servers typically run a little hotter than other options, and require more cabling too. This means you’ll be working harder to maintain your cabling and spending more on your cooling systems than if you’d chosen a different rack configuration.

See our picks for Top Rack Servers of 2021

A blade server is a type of architecture that has a single chassis but houses multiple server modules, known as “blades.” The chassis provides the power supply to the blades, but because of the way they are constructed and enclosed, blade servers can run well independently of each other, or in concert with each other.

Each blade is self-contained in its own enclosure, each having its own CPU, RAM and storage. Blade servers can house more components in a smaller space than other types of server architectures. Because each blade can slide easily in and out of the chassis, the blades themselves are easier to expand and easier to maintain than other types of options. Each blade server can run independently with its own management system, which usually includes a network or storage switch.

Pros:

Cons:

Making the decision on your server architecture is one of the most important decisions you can make. Which you choose will likely be dictated by your space and processing needs.

See our picks for Best Blade Servers of 2021