Why Use a Rugged Server?

A server is a computer system made up of both hardware and software that provides a connection from a computer, or a whole group of computers, to a network on the Internet. Almost all businesses need servers nowadays. While not every job may call for using a rugged server, other jobs may not be possible without them. When is it necessary to have a rugged server versus a normal one?

The short answer is this: If you are in a nice, comfortable, air conditioned office building then you probably won’t need one. If you are in the oil and gas industry, the military, or aerospace industries, and you have high-tech machines that need to be connected to a computer network in order to perform functions, then it's a good idea to use rugged servers.

A rugged server is tougher, more durable and more reliable than a regular server would be in these fields. Rugged servers are made out of more durable materials, and modified to withstand tough physical and environmental duress. They are resistant to moisture, heavy pressure, extreme temperatures, corrosion, dust, sand, and in many cases even fire. Not exactly your average piece of office equipment.

Other things can be ruggedized as well, such as computers, displays, and even wires and cables. They are all made out of thicker, heartier materials, and tested to ensure top-performance.

The importance of rugged technology cannot be understated. There are many demands for technological innovations in every field, some of which can be much messier than others. Oil and gas industries are dirty by nature, since they literally deal in dirt and digging. A normal server would not last long, and technology that will reliably go the distance is required. 

The same applies to the military, which needs rugged equipment in order to keep us safe. The applications are endless, and include everything from law enforcement, to construction, to the medical field. Basically, if you can think of a job that includes large mechanized equipment, or extremely advanced technology, and involves computers in any capacity that is not in a completely sterile environment, then chances are that job will need the help of rugged servers.

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Network Protocols and How They Work

Before you can grasp Network Protocols, and the importance of having a high-quality network time server, it’s a good idea to start with the basics. What is a protocol, and an Internet protocol, specifically? A protocol, as used in information technology parlance, is basically a set of rules in a telecommunication connection that has the ability to specify the terms of interactions between the two entities that are connecting. Protocols can exist at many levels of a telecommunications connection.

Have you heard of an IP address? That stands for Internet Protocol, which is a set of rules for connections and message reception at the Internet address level. Network Protocol, or more accurately Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a type of protocol at the computer network level that is used to synchronize computer clock times within a given network. This is crucial to business level functions in many ways, as even the smallest deviations in in time across networks can cause huge problems. Things like distributed procedures, file and software updates, and security mechanisms rely on precisely coordinated times throughout the network. A great example of this is air traffic control systems, if they are not all 100% in sync, there could be catastrophic consequences.

Another part of the process that is important is UTC, or Coordinated Universal Time. This is the clock that NTP (network time protocol) is intended to synchronize the network with. This can usually be maintained within tens of milliseconds of accuracy, especially with new algorithms that mitigate possible effects of network latency.

Where do network timeservers come into the picture? Well, network time servers are server computers that are responsible for reading the actual time from a reference clock source online or at a local source, and then distributing that time information to the clients across the network. The network timeserver must be reliable and quality tested.

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What Is A PCIE Interface?

First of all PCIe, when you break it down, stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express. Sometimes it is also seen as PCI Express, which means the same thing. Essentially it is an expansion card format capable of operating at extremely high speeds. It is what connects a computer to the peripherals attached to it.

PCIe interfaces are designed specifically for I/O, or input/output interfaces that go between the peripheral components within a given system. This is different from the two other interface types. Those are SATA, which is an acronym for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, and SAS, which is an acronym for Serial Attached SCSI. SATA is limited to just 32 requests, is less scalable, but optimized for light workloads. One example of where they are useful is on desktop Personal Computers, as well as many other embedded applications. The SAS is typically idealized for enterprise storage, has a higher range than the SATA when it comes to requests, around 256, and is much more scalable.

The PCIe differs in that it requires a driver in order to function, and it also is an expansion interface rather than an interface meant for storage. PCIe's are the fastest of the three interfaces, and are usually located closest to the CPU, which makes them even more ideal for the Input/Output  acceleration application. They also have use as a caching solution.

There are older models of I/Os, such as PCI, PCI-X, as well as AGP, and the list of improvements that brought forth the PCIe is extensive. These improvements include but are not limited to increasing the maximum system throughput, a physically smaller frame, improved performance scaling, a lower Input/Output total pin count number, higher performing detection of errors, and AER, or Advanced Error Reporting. The most recent PCIes also have the ability to support software for Input/Output visualization. As PCIe's become more and more popular, technology improvements will increase their capabilities even more.

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