list the Server form factors.
Tower form factor
Blade Form Factor
Rack from factor
Tell me about Blade Servers.
A thin server form factor designed to optimize density.
They are installed in a single chassis or blade enclosure.
Each blade has its own CPU, memory, and storage connections, but they all share redundant power supplies, cooling and other components.
They are hot swappable.
Particularly useful for web servers, virtualization servers, and clustering.
Several blades in an enclosure consume less power, generate less heat, and use less space than do standalone rack-mounted or tower servers.
Tell me about tower servers.
A server mounted in standard PC-like tower case, they are arranged on shelves or tables.
Consume space vertically.
Useful in small offices or other settings where traditional NOC (Network operations center) aren’t available.
Tell me about Rack form factors.
The standard form factor.
Has a standardized height of 1U (1.75in) and a width of 19in.
Consumes space horizontally.
The rack may also support other network devices, such as routers and switches, that are the same standardized size.
Secured to the floor.
What do rail kits do?
They are attached to the servers chassis and they the rack.
They permit the server to slide forward out of the rack for service or removal.
Can be universal or proprietary.
What are best practices for cooling rack mounted devices?
Do not fill a rack to capacity
Monitor temerature
The back of servers always face each other
Use fans to circulate air through the rack.
What are examples of environmental sensors that may be installed in racks to better manage the server?
Temperature: It is critical to monitor temperature to ensure the server’s current availability and extend its lifespan.
Humidity: Suboptimal humidity may shorten the server’s lifespan.
Water: Can physically damage servers.
Door closure: Sensors on rack doors ensure air is flowing as designed and the server’s physical security.
Airflow: These sensors allow technicians to not have to regularly check for failed cooling fans.
What is safety with servers
Servrs can be very heavy.
Ensure you follow proper lifitng techniques and team lifting.
Ensure server racks are secured to the floor.
Floors must also be rated to support the weight of servers, the rack and any other IT equipment.
What do PDUs do?
Power Distribution Unit.
PDUs allocate power from the UPS to the rack-mounted devices.
They may include power monitoring, circuit breakers, and consumption measurements. It is a best practice to provide balancing and redundancy.
What is a KVM?
Keyboard Video Mouse
Most servers are headless (meaning they have no GUI)
KVM allows input and control to the server.
May be mounted in the rack and connected to a standard keyboard, display, and mouse or can be a dedicated console that integrates the KVM into a 1U tray.
Use KVM connections when a more direct connection is required.
What are some ways to implement power redundancy?
Electricity brought in by two different service providers (power companies)
Electricity available via generators during an outage
Multiple electrical circuits in the building that are isolated from the rest of the building’s power
UPSs
Multiple PDUs
Multiple power supplies installed inside the server
Tell me about IEC C13 / C14 connectors
Many server and network components use these connectors.
Commonly used with PDUs as well.
c13 is the female and C14 is male
Tell me about NEMA 5-15P/R connectors.
The common electrical plugs and outlets found in many homes and businesses.
P=plug and R= the receptacle.
NEMA sets standards in the US for electrical components.
Why is effective cable management essential?
Troubleshooting is easier when you can accurately identify and chase each cable.
Increased air flow permits better cooling around the servers.
The server room is safer when cables are not a tripping hazard.
It minimizes potential cable damage.
It reduces crosstalk and electrical interference.
What are things you can use to help with cable managemnt?
Horizontal cable managers organize cables across rack width
Vertical cable managers run along rack sides
Cable ties secure bundles without pinching
Color coding helps identify different cable types
Proper labeling ensures easy identification
Leave service loops for future adjustments.
What is Network redundancy and how can it be implemented?
Referes to eliminating single points of failure in the network infrastructure.
Can be mplemented via mesh topology
What is Server Redundancy?
Refers to multiple complete servers that can manage a service, such as the server nodes in a cluster.
What is 10GbE, and what is its major applications?
multiplies the nominal speed of Gigabit Ethernet by a factor of 10.
Not deployed in many access networks and is expensive.
Major applications are:
-Increasing bandwidth for server interconnections and network backbones, especially in data centers and for SANs.
-Replacing existing switched public data networks based on proprietary technologies with simpler Ethernet switches (Metro Ethernet).
Tell me about Gigabit Ethernet.
The bit rate is 10 times faster than Fast Ethernet.
Gigabit Ethernet standard over fiber is documented in IEEE 802.3z
For fiber the wavelength optics LX=long-distance transmission and SX= short wavelength optics.
What are Transceivers and SFP modules?
SFP = Small form factor pluggable
SFP: Supports up to 1 Gbps
SFP+: Supports 10 Gbps connections
QSFP (Quad SFP): Four channels in one module, 40 Gbps
QSFP+: up to 4 x 10 Gbps
QSFP28: Supports 4 x 25 Gbps for 100 Gbps total
What are benefits of SFP module transceivers?
Supports both copper and fiber connections
Different wavelengths for various distances
Hot swappable (dont need server shutdown)
Flexibility to switch between media types.
Easy to upgrade without replacing switches.
What is out of band management?
Accessing the administrative interface of a network appliance using a separate network from the usual data network. This could use a separate VLAN or a different kind of link, such as a dial-up modem.
Uses a second, dedicated physical connection to the server known as a console port.
This connection provides administrative functionality through specialized software that allows for control of the device independently of the OS.
A sysadmin can, therefore, manage a server even if the OS is offline or uninstalled.
What is a crash cart?
The cart contains a secured laptop that is used solely for out-of-band connectivity to servers and network devices.
The cart may have a keyboard, full-sized monitor, and mouse that can be directly connected to the server.
What is the purpose of Vendor HCL?
HCL = Hardware Compatibility List
A way for sysadmins to discover hardware that may or may not function correctly with a given OS.
Beneficial to check the HCL if you’re dealing with a custom-built or nonstandard hardware configuration.
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Server Admin Concepts8
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Virtualization and cloud computing22
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Physical and Network Security Concepts22
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Managing Physical Assets45
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Managing Server Hardware38
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Configuring Storage Management36
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Installing and Configuring an Operating system52
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Troubleshooting OS, Application, and Network Configurations43
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Managing Post- Installation Administrative tasks58
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Managing Data Security16
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Managing Service and Data Availiblity47
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Decommissioning Servers6
