SSD for servers and workstations
Anyone who deals with large amounts of data on a daily basis knows that fast and reliable processing and storage is essential. SSDs are increasingly replacing the classic HDDs, mechanical hard disks, in both regular computers and server systems. There is also a wide range of SSDs to choose from, so the decision to buy a new one is not always easy. That's why we would like to briefly present the advantages and differences.
Advantages of SSDs
The SSD (Solid State Drive) uses flash technology to process data digitally. Compared to mechanical hard disks, this is much faster. These high speeds when reading and writing data are what make SSDs so attractive for servers.
In addition, SSDs are energy-efficient and consume less power than HDDs. This makes a significant difference, especially in larger systems such as data centers, which has a financial impact and is of course also an advantage in terms of sustainability. SSDs are also more robust and reliable than HDDs, as mechanical hard disks are more susceptible to damage.
With careful handling, both mechanical and flash memory have a long life. Theoretically, SSDs only have a limited number of write cycles and HDDs can be used an unlimited number of times, but with modern flash drives this is no longer a noticeable difference. Server SSDs in particular are developed for continuous operation and offer more write cycles from the outset. Even the larger storage capacities, which until recently were an argument in favor of HDDs, are hardly an obstacle anymore, as SSDs are now also available in sizes of several terabytes. In terms of price, SSDs are still above the level of HDDs, but the costs are gradually falling.
In summary, SSDs are becoming increasingly attractive as a storage medium due to their speed and effectiveness, especially for very large data sets. Used SSDs are a good and affordable alternative for anyone who doesn't want to overspend on new drives.
SAS / SATA or NVMe
NVMe (abbreviation for NVM Express) is becoming increasingly popular as a transfer protocol, as the technology enables particularly fast access to data. NVMe drives are available in M.2, U.2, U.3 designs or as a PCIe plug-in card in HHHL format. The PCIe interface, which offers a high bandwidth, is used for this. The latencies are also significantly lower with NVMe than with SAS or SATA connections. NVMe is therefore the optimal solution for high-performance computing applications.
However, this also comes at a price. The acquisition costs of NVMe SSDs are (still) significantly higher than for SAS and SATA SSDs. Prices for NVMe SSDs are already falling and in the long term they will certainly become the standard for server systems. At the moment, however, SATA and SAS SSDs are also a good option if top speeds are not your highest priority.
Server SSD manufacturers
Technically speaking, there are hardly any differences between SSDs for PCs and for servers. The differentiation is mainly based on storage capacity, as server systems and workstations naturally have to store and access much larger amounts of data. This is why the manufacturers of SSD hard disks also include brands that are well-known in the PC sector, above all Intel. The manufacturer has now sold its SSD division to Solidigm, but used SSDs continue to run under Intel. You can also find SSDs from Samsung in our range. Manufacturers who specialize in server technology whose flash hard drives we offer include Micron, Seagate and Western Digital.
OEM versions of solid state drives are often a cheaper alternative, which are identical in build to the variants of the well-known brands. They offer exactly the same functions, but are labeled differently.
Used SSDs from HaehnleinIT Inc.
Storage media are the be-all and end-all of a server, and therefore in many cases also one of the biggest cost items. However, used SSDs are also available at affordable prices, with the same performance as new hard disks. Our used products are always tested for functionality so that you can be sure that you are purchasing reliable equipment.
In addition to the lower costs, refurbishing components also contributes to sustainability, as the SSDs are reused instead of being thrown away. In addition, the need for new components is reduced, which saves resources and benefits the environment.
Other components
In addition to SSDs, you can find many other components for your server here in our online store. We have a large selection of RAID controllers, host bus adapters, network cards and more available. Accessories such as cables and adapters are also available. We are also happy to develop individual server solutions for you, which you can purchase from us as a complete package. Contact us and we'll answer all your questions and design a system that meets your needs.
