E pluribus unum: Blade servers in IT service

Many pages make a book: The word 'blade' in 'blade server' does not refer to 'blade' or 'cutting edge'. In such a computer, circuit boards are combined like 'blades' in a housing under a 'cover'. The idea is to operate several computers on a single power supply, on a single shared storage medium and with a single ventilation system. This saves space, energy and simplifies the system architecture.

Our IT service uses such 'blade servers' wherever it makes sense to do so. These circuit boards - 'blades' - with the microprocessors and the main memory are pushed side by side into a server. Today, the standard rack accommodates more than 80 such blades, i.e. far more than 5,000 processors. The main advantages are the compact design, high power density, scalability, simple cabling and quick and easy maintenance.

However, the energy design and ventilation of this 'high-density computing power' requires a good deal of technical expertise, which is why small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular are increasingly outsourcing such tasks to a competent IT service provider.