Automating server tasks just got a lot easier for Mac and Linux users, thanks to Microsoft's decision to open source its PowerShell automation platform and scripting language for Windows and Windows Server.
PowerShell is a task-based, command-line scripting language built on the .NET Framework, which helps IT professionals control and automate the administration of servers. .NET itself completed a gradual open-source transition earlier this year, following Microsoft's acquisition of Xamarin.
A single P100 delivers the performance of dozens of traditional CPU nodes.
Nvidia's Tesla P100 GPU, capable of replacing dozens of traditional CPU nodes to speed up the processing of complex algorithms, will now be offered in a PCIe form factor, the company announced today.
PCIe makes it easier for the P100 to be installed in the server banks that can benefit most from its ability to accelerate computing tasks, especially the machine-learning algorithms that power artificial intelligence applications. When Nvidia originally announced the P100 in April, CEO Jen-Hsun Huang described his company as "all-in" when it comes to artificial intelligence and virtual reality.
The P100 is based on the Pascal GPU architecture. With support for PCIe Gen 3, which offers a bandwidth of 32GB per second, each P100 processor provides the throughput of more than 32 CPU-based nodes.
Its 18.7 teraflops of half-precision performance, however, means that the PCIe version will take a slight performance hit compared to the original P100, which offers 21 teraflops. That difference won't be much of an issue for massive server banks, but it could be noticeable for smaller installations, such as autonomous car testing.
Non-server farm customers for whom that performance drop presents an issue will likely consider Nvidia's in-house supercomputer offering, the P100-powered DGX-1. Using eight Tesla P100 cores, it delivers 170 teraflops of half-precision peak performance, the equivalent of 250 CPU-based servers.
The first PCIe-based P100s will be available in servers from Dell, HP, IBM, and other companies beginning in fall 2016. One of its first applications will be in Europe's fastest supercomputer, the Piz Daint system at the Swiss National Supercomputing Center in Lugano.
The client/server relationship goes back decades and even as the cloud permeates our culture, it's very unlikely to stop anytime soon. A server holds files and programs closer than the Internet, but not quite as close as your local hard drive, so it's all sharable and yet imminently accessible. That's why in our recent survey covering network-attached storage (NAS) devices and servers, we took time to ask PCMag readers specifically how they feel about the servers they use at the office, from SOHOs up to big enterprises. The results are below.
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There's no hard drive or operating system, but even with those additional costs, this is still a top-notch value.
For a limited time, Dell is selling the bare-bones PowerEdge T110 II dual-core server for just $259. Without any need for a coupon or rebate, you'll instantly save $507 off the list price by ordering directly from Dell.
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On the inside, this model sports a dual-core 3.3GHz Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, a gigabit network adaptor, and a DVD drive. However, no hard drive or operating system come along with your purchase, so you'll need to invest in those as well. You can snag 2TB drives for about $70 a pop, and an OEM copy of Windows 10 Pro (64-bit) is already less than $90 on Amazon. But even with those additional costs factored in, this is still a top-notch value.
Better yet, one year of Pro support is included at no extra cost. Whether you plan on using this as a server for your small business or simply as network-attached storage at home, you can rest easy knowing that you're covered if a problem crops up. No matter what time of day, you'll have access to enterprise-grade support to get you back up and running as soon as possible.
Not interested in opening up the case to install drives by hand? Fear not! You can easily customize your machine during checkout to include drives, an operating system, and additional memory. The cost will be significantly higher, but that's the price you have to pay for convenience.
For more great deals, check out TechBargains.com.
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This is a little bit of a DIY project, but most of the work here is already done.
The quad-core Lenovo ThinkServer TS440 is currently on sale for just $299.99 when you buy from TigerDirect. And while this configuration normally sells for $829.99, today's deal will instantly save you $530—a whopping 63 percent off the sticker price. Even better, the shipping is free.
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On the inside, this model features a quad-core 3.2GHz Intel Xeon processor, integrated Intel HD Graphics P4600, 4GB of RAM, and a DVD burner. Keep in mind, this is a barebones server, though. It doesn't ship with an operating system or a hard drive. This is a little bit of a DIY project, but most of the work here is already done. So if you're comfortable installing drives yourself, this is a superb bargain.
Why bother investing in server hardware anyway? Besides the powerful Xeon-class CPU, it also has loads of room for expansion. It offers two 5.25-inch drive bays, four hot-swappable 3.5-inch drive bays, four RAM slots (room for 32GB), three PCIe slots, a PCI slot, and eight USB ports. If affordable versatility is what you're looking for out of a tower, the ThinkServer TS440 is what you need.
Additionally, it's 80 Plus Gold certified and Energy Star qualified, so you can rest assured that it won't be needlessly running up your power bill. And if you run into hardware problems, it's covered by a one-year manufacturer warranty. If you've ever wanted a server of your very own, this truly is the perfect opportunity.
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