Server Types

Server Type

Definition

Use Case

Rack Server

An encased server is used to stack and install several servers in a large closet.

Midsize to large businesses with on-premises server closets where space is limited and computing power is necessary for high-end applications.

Blade Server

An encased server is used to insert small servers into a blade bay where several can be stacked horizontally in a rack.

Midsize to large businesses with on-premises server closets where space is limited, but several servers are necessary to handle high-end applications.

Tower Server

A stand-alone computer that looks like a standard desktop but has additional server resources installed in the machine.

Small businesses or home networks that need a server to store files or manage network resources, but only one server is needed and scalability isn’t a concern.