Small Business Server
What is a Small Business Server?
A small business server is a server solution for centralized file storage with computing capacity to handle your workloads, automate management tasks, and establish a foundation for a hybrid cloud environment.
What types of servers do small businesses need?
Small businesses need servers that can drive powerful business outcomes through power, choice, and ease of use. Expandability on an as-needed basis, affordability, and storage capacity are some of the deciding factors for those that are looking to supplement their data environment with a server for their small business.
Expandability capabilities are absolutely critical for small businesses, as they must be able to scale their services depending on high and low seasons of demand. A server must have the capacity to provide support for intensive workloads, while simultaneously providing built-in redundancy—ensuring that the server continues normal function in case of a point of failure.
Often, small businesses need to source cost-effective servers that provide the ability to expand storage or push data to redundant storage for larger files, without the price tag of exclusively cloud-based storage capacity. Even with the increasing affordability of cloud services, small businesses still need a dedicated server that runs 24/7 to provide the support, security, and dependability needed to sustain their workloads and applications.
Storage capacity is another critical component for small business servers. Making an initial investment in a server is a big decision that requires forethought and strategy to ensure the proper support will be provided when the business experiences sudden spikes in demand. Storage capacity directly impacts data storage, data analysis, and security efficiency.
How do you choose a small business server?
Assessing your current IT needs as a small business and then considering potential needs within your data environment in the future should guide your decision-making when choosing a server. Here are a few specifications that are worth considering before choosing a server for your small business:
Storage
When choosing the best small business server, storage is a top priority. The type and volume of data that you are collecting will determine the amount and type of storage required to sustain your workloads. Storage capacity also directly impacts your ability to duplicate and backup for the moments when you need system and data recovery.
Accessibility
As more small and medium-sized businesses operate online, affordable servers that can maintain site uptime and monitor and report on performance are crucial to success. Affordability promotes the accessibility of this necessary hardware, enabling your small businesses to stay competitive within your given industry. With accessibility comes the ability to collect, analyze, and store data that then helps the business make more informed decisions on products, target audience, and business sustainability.
Connectivity
The ability for your machines and applications to stay up and running is essential to your small business. Certain servers include enhanced provisioning for extra network bandwidth, supporting your workloads in critical moments. If you have several computers and need remote access to your network, exceptional server connectivity should no longer be a consideration—it is essential.
Manageability
Management can be simplified for your small business with the option of embedded or automated management software. Any level of automation within your data environment will alleviate pressure from your human workforce, effectively freeing them up from mundane oversight and allowing them to spend their time on more significant tasks. This is especially important during spikes in demand, as most small businesses do not have the means to hire dedicated IT management teams.
How do you set up a small business server?
Your needs as a small business will directly determine the specifications of your server. When the time comes to set up your server, there is a process that must be followed to ensure the success and sustainability of your system.
The first step is analysis of your network and preparation to expand your current data environment to include a server. Depending on your chosen hardware and OS, you will likely be required to upgrade your computer’s OS to become compatible with the OS that the server will run on. Preparation for this transfer also includes acquiring any additional hardware that is required for connection purposes. Hardware could include items such as external hard drives, ethernet or other connection cables, etc.
The next step is server installation. Once your OSs are aligned and compatible, you can establish a secure connection to your network. With your server now connected to your network, you can begin customization and configuration to support your data environment needs.
During the process of configuration, it is critical to create a backup of your data to an external hard drive. This prevents any lapse or data loss during the setup of your server. Configuration should also include enabling remote access for your workforce, allowing for data to be shared within your new server environment. Be sure to establish authentication requirements for your employees as they access the server, as this ensures secure remote access.
Once all of your computers have access to the server, don’t forget to create administrative accounts for each machine. This enables remote accessibility and communication between all computers and your server. As a final step, you can upload any software or applications to your server that your business utilizes for key management. This can include software through which you run your finances or scheduling. The server should have all software uploaded to allow for smooth and uninterrupted communication between your machines, apps, and server hardware—promoting a seamless infrastructure for your data.
HPE and small business servers
HPE provides top-tier technology and world-class expertise through extensive server solutions, with a range of offerings to cover your individual needs. With HPE small business servers and solutions, you can empower your remote workers, establish hyperconverged infrastructure that provides world-class security, and experience seamless file backup and virtualization of your applications that allow for business growth and expansion. These solutions are built with small businesses in mind, offering the power, choice, and ease of use that you deserve.
Solutions built on HPE ProLiant servers, HPE Aruba Networking, and data storage products with expansive configuration capabilities lay the foundation for your small business data environments. Planning for future growth and expansion is critical and can be intimidating. With HPE hybrid cloud solutions, you can choose products that will provide value and performance where you need it most.
HPE StoreEasy Storage provides an easy-to-manage centralized NAS storage space for businesses with small sites and remote offices. The search is over for a leading NAS product family to securely store your documents, audio and video, and images. With our storage solutions, the constant stream of data coming into your organization can be handled with ease, effectively freeing up resources and providing greater server efficiency. It is also designed with affordability in mind, allowing you to save your small business thousands of dollars annually over alternative cloud-based services. Providing access to files, consolidating backups, and leveraging data becomes possible with our low-cost, high-value, resilient HPE StoreEasy Storage solution.