What is Server?
- Definition
- A server is a computer designed to process requests and deliver data to other computers. Servers contain multiple storage drives and require comprehensive data destruction before disposal.
A server is a powerful computer designed to provide services, resources, or data to other computers (clients) over a network. Servers come in various form factors — rack-mounted (1U, 2U, 4U), blade servers, tower servers, and purpose-built appliances — and typically contain multiple CPUs, large amounts of RAM, and several storage drives.
Servers present unique challenges for IT asset disposition. A single server may contain multiple HDDs or SSDs in RAID configurations, each of which must be individually sanitized or destroyed. Servers also contain data in BIOS/UEFI firmware, RAID controller memory, and sometimes onboard flash storage for boot drives or logs.
Enterprise servers often retain significant resale value, especially recent-generation models from Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Supermicro. A proper ITAD process for servers includes comprehensive data sanitization of all storage media, removal of any labels or asset tags, and functional testing for remarketing. Value recovery from servers can substantially offset the costs of a technology refresh.
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