microserver
Compact computing node
A microserver is a compact, low-power server designed for lightweight computing tasks.
Unlike traditional servers built for maximum processing power, microservers prioritize energy efficiency and density, handling simple workloads like web hosting or file storage.
Data centers often deploy them in large numbers for distributed computing: The company replaced its aging hardware with microservers to cut power costs.
Placed in standardized units
- virtualizedSimulated by software
- microservicesDecomposed application architecture
- edge computingProcessing data near source
- home labPersonal experimentation space
NAS · web hosting · proxy · caching · dev environment · dedicated · always-on · batch processing
Fixed in standardized enclosure
- bladeFlat cutting edge
- low-profileDeliberately avoiding attention
- modularMade of separable units
- stackableCan be piled up
fanless · solid-state · embedded · barebone · node · appliance · headless · diskless
Wired networking standard
- switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
- routerPacket-forwarding network device
- latencyDelay in system response
- bandwidthData transmission capacity
TCP/IP · firewall · VPN · subnet · gateway · NIC · bonding · VLAN
Shared hosting facility
- coolingLosing thermal energy
- redundancyNeedless duplication
- uptimeContinuous operational period
- hostingReceiving guests socially
hyperscale · cluster · hot-swappable · power distribution · cabinet · tile · KVM · provisioning
Adding machines to distribute load
- distributedDivided and given out
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
- auto-scalingAutomatic capacity adjustment
failover · replication · sharding · stateless · cloud-native
Using minimal energy
- passive coolingTemperature control without power
- power densityEnergy output per volume
- cost-effectiveGiving good return cheaply
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
containerized
Placed in standardized units
- virtualizedSimulated by software
- microservicesDecomposed application architecture
- edge computingProcessing data near source
home lab · NAS · web hosting · proxy · caching · dev environment · dedicated · always-on · batch processing
rack-mounted
Fixed in standardized enclosure
- bladeFlat cutting edge
- low-profileDeliberately avoiding attention
- modularMade of separable units
stackable · fanless · solid-state · embedded · barebone · node · appliance · headless · diskless · Raspberry Pi
ethernet
Wired networking standard
- switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
- routerPacket-forwarding network device
- latencyDelay in system response
bandwidth · TCP/IP · firewall · VPN · subnet · gateway · NIC · bonding · VLAN · mesh
colocation
Shared hosting facility
- coolingLosing thermal energy
- redundancyNeedless duplication
- uptimeContinuous operational period
hosting · hyperscale · cluster · hot-swappable · power distribution · cabinet · tile · KVM · provisioning · decommissioning
horizontal scaling
Adding machines to distribute load
- distributedDivided and given out
- elasticityTendency to resume original form
- orchestrationScoring for instrumental ensemble
auto-scaling · failover · replication · sharding · stateless · cloud-native
low-power
Using minimal energy
- passive coolingTemperature control without power
- power densityEnergy output per volume
- cost-effectiveGiving good return cheaply