I've googled this topic already and did find a lot of info but would more clarification. Would anyone be able to tell me the difference between a blade server and rack mount server and when to use one over the other? Thanks

THis is for Homework, right? People already working in the field knows when one is used over the other. i_XpUser

Does it matter? Hmmm, should I say Yes or No? Is giving one answer going to get me a different answer? Oh well... here it goes. I work for a very small company without an IT guy. Because I've got more experience with computers then the rest and I'm their administrator (not computers) I was ask to research this. So, yes I guess this is homework.

Did you Google? http://searchdatacenter.techtarget.... Life is more painless for those who are brainless.

Yes, Jennifer I've use google already and I've already been in that link. I'm trying to distinguish the difference between the two.

If you read the definitions for both, then the differences are obvious. Life is more painless for those who are brainless.

A blade server is usually thin (1 3/4" or 1u) and are quite often dedicated to one particular task or program. A rack mounted server can look like a regular cpu that sits on your desk and often can have additional cards and drives added to it, among other things. (Blade servers can also, but it's more difficult.) The biggest difference is probably size. Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I regain consciousness