When you own a business, you are required to run various applications and databases on a computer that’s dedicated to that business only. These applications cannot run on a regular personal computer because they are too resource-intensive, and they cannot run on virtual private servers because they are too resource-intensive.
In other words, the personal computer you own is a pretty limited resource and can only run certain applications and services. The virtual private servers you own are even more limited resources and are only capable of running certain applications and services. You should not run any services that are not required for your business.
However, your friend owns a business, too. And she has access to a spare computer that she’s not using anymore. Couldn’t you use that computer instead?
It sounds like a great idea, but you need to consider a few things before making the switch. Here’s what you need to know before buying a friend’s server.
What Should You Look For When Buying A Server?
First and foremost, you should look for features that will increase the performance of your application while minimizing the need for additional resources. And then, you should look for features that help manage the applications and services you run on that server.
For example, you should look for a server with a Xeon E5 processor and 12 memory sockets. This ensures that you’ll be able to run most of your applications without any additional resources.
You should also check the network speed and bandwidth. This will let you know how much traffic your server is capable of handling.
Once you are aware of what you need from a server, you can start looking for that particular type of computer. Here are some aspects you should keep in mind when selecting a host computer:
Know the Environment
Before you choose the hardware you want for your server, you should know the environment it will be in. This will help you determine the hardware requirements and whether or not your chosen hardware will work.
For example, if you choose a server that will be hosting a web application, you should know what kind of network the server will be on.
This includes the speed of the network and the amount of congestion on the network.
Know The Vendor
Before you buy a server, you should also know the vendor that manufactured your server. This will help you determine the vendor’s reputation and reliability. You should also look for ratings and reviews of the vendors online to help you make a better decision.
Most vendors have websites that list their complete product lineup and provide reviews and ratings from other customers. You can also use social media to find vendors and get more information about the vendors.
Do Your Research
After you have selected your vendor, and you know the environment the server will be in, you should do your research. This will help you determine the server requirements, the server’s capacity, and the price of the server.
For example, you should determine the number of virtual CPUs, the number of physical CPUs, the number of memory sockets, the number of disks, and the type of network interface card (NIC) your chosen vendor provides.
You should also determine the server’s capacity and the load that it can handle. You can do this by conducting load tests, monitoring your server’s performance, or consulting with your vendor.
Check The Terms Of Service
Most vendors provide a terms of service agreement that you must read and agree to before using their services. This will let you know whether the services are suitable for your business’s needs.
This agreement should let you know how many servers you can use, what services you can use, and what will happen if you’re violating the agreement. You should also read the terms of service carefully, because some servers can be very resource-intensive.
Install A Network Monitor
Network monitors will let you know whether your server is performing as expected. These tools will let you know the network speed, bandwidth, and the amount of traffic that’s being sent to your server. You should install a network monitor on your server to determine its real-world performance.
You can get network monitors that are both free and paid.
Free network monitors will let you know only the network speed. You can purchase more features to let you know the bandwidth, traffic, and last mile performance as well.
Wrapping Up: Is It Worth It?
You should purchase a friend’s server only if you have a strong reason why it’s a good idea. You should research more about the server and vendor you are buying from before making the final decision. If you don’t have any reason for buying a friend’s server, you should not be doing it.
In addition, you should not buy a friend’s server unless your friend agrees to it. It’s better to ask your friend when buying a server from his friend than doing it on your own.
