CNET business buying guide: what to look for in servers and storage

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CNET AT WORK: BUSINESS BUYING GUIDE

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How to buy servers and storage for your business

By Xiao Ming Wu and Allen Fear
Updated December 2, 2005

Even ones and zeroes need a home. File servers and network-attached storage (NAS) devices help you save and share data on your network; some even make good backup solutions. NAS units and file servers can add storage to your network, make it easy for you to share files with colleagues, and provide you with a means for archiving your data. Feature sets and prices of file servers and NAS units vary widely, so before you put one down on your shopping list, ask yourself a few specific questions about what you intend to do with one in your office or home.

A server can be complicated to set up and generally requires some technical know-how to manage. Network-attached storage devices are easier to set up but generally offer fewer features, and low-cost NAS units are also less robust and scalable than many servers. Alternatively, you can have a third party host the services you need.

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Google mini search appliance

An easy-to-use search appliance aimed at small to medium-size businesses, the Google Mini is a capable and flexible tool for building custom search engines.

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7.0 out of 10

Dell PowerEdge SC430

This server's solid components, economical price, and lack of manageability software make it most appropriate for budget-minded small businesses with just a few employees.

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6.8 out of 10

LaCie Ethernet Disk