What the server will do
- File sharing with permissions per department.
- Tally, ERP or accounting data in one safe place, accessed by many users.
- User logins (domain controller) so staff sign in with one account.
- Backups of PCs and the server itself.
- Optionally several of these as virtual machines on one server (Hyper-V, Proxmox or VMware).
Tower or rack server
| Tower server | Rack server | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it goes | Office corner or cabin | Network rack or server room |
| Noise | Quieter | Louder |
| Best for | One server, no rack | Rack already in place, room to grow |
| Examples | Dell T430/T440/T630, HPE ML350 | Dell R630/R730/R740, HPE DL360/DL380 |
Sizing CPU, RAM and drives
| Office size | Processor | RAM | Drives |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 to 20 users, files + Tally | One Xeon, 8+ cores | 32 GB | 2 SSDs mirrored (RAID 1) + 2 HDDs for files |
| 20 to 50 users, files + ERP + logins | One or two Xeons, 10 to 16 cores | 64 GB | 4 or more drives in RAID 10 or RAID 5/6 |
| Several virtual machines | Two Xeons | 96 to 128 GB | SSDs in RAID 10 |
The server RAM guide explains how to size memory for each job.
RAID, UPS and backups
- RAID keeps the server running if one drive fails. It is not a backup.
- Dual power supplies on two power sources keep the server on if one fails.
- An online UPS rides through power cuts and shuts the server down safely.
- Backups: follow 3-2-1: three copies, on two kinds of media, one off-site or offline, so ransomware cannot reach it.
Tell us how many users and which software you run, and we will suggest a server. See refurbished servers or read the buying guide.
Common questions
Do I need a server for Tally?
With more than a few users, a server keeps Tally data in one safe, backed-up place and is faster than sharing from a desktop PC.
Can a small office use a refurbished server?
Yes. A tested refurbished Dell or HPE server with a warranty gives business-grade reliability for much less than new.
Tower or rack for a small office?
A tower if there is no rack and the server sits in the office; a rack server if you already have a network rack or plan to add more equipment.