Used or legacy servers can be a great way to save money on capital expenditure. With some servers lasting up to 10 years, you can get your hands on a previously owned server that can still run perfectly for years. Many enterprises turn to refurbished infrastructure, especially servers, to meet their increasing requirements.
But you must ensure you’re getting the right server to get the most out of it. That means you must approach the purchasing process with diligence and care. Knowing how to check a refurbished server before and after purchase is important.
This article will guide you through finding and vetting a refurbished server, empowering you with information to make the right choice.
Why Consider Buying a Legacy Server?
Before we dive into the considerations when buying a legacy server, let’s talk about why you should consider buying one.
Immense Cost Advantage
The obvious benefit of going with a refurbished server is lower cost. Pre-owned servers can cost significantly less than brand-new ones. And if you’re in the market for multiple servers, the savings can be considerably large.
Depending on the condition and quality of the legacy server, you may get as many as five years of operations out of it. That essentially delays your need to purchase a new server for years. You can even find higher specifications and sought-after models from major brands.
An Environmental-Friendly Decision
Whether you’re genuinely concerned about the environment or simply want to achieve lower emissions goals, buying a used server is also an environment-conscious choice. You're reducing your carbon footprint by reusing an old server and extending its life.
Electronic waste harms the environment, and you can do your part by preventing the server from ending up in a landfill.
Perfect for Secondary Use
Refurbished servers may not be reliable enough for enterprises like large data centers to meet their primary operational needs. However, they can be great as standby servers to prevent downtime. Similarly, these servers can also be useful for testing purposes.
Refurbished servers are the answer if you have the space to house additional servers beyond your original required capacity.
What to Look for When Buying a Legacy Server
Here are 5 of the most important factors that should influence your purchase of a pre-owned, refurbished server:
1. Specifications and Configuration
You should first consider the specifications of the particular legacy server you’re interested in. Is it a rack or blade server? How many processors does it have? Does it have a solid-state drive? While you can upgrade memory and storage, the bare server on its own should be able to meet performance demands and be compatible with existing infrastructure.
2. Years in Use
How long has the server been in use? Of course, the older it is, the more wear and tear it has seen. But more importantly, knowing how long it’s been used will give you an idea of how long it can be used.
3. Warranty and Support
Warranties vary from one OEM to another. It’s generally for a year to up to three years with most manufacturers. The warranty may still be valid, depending on the server's age.
Similarly, the support from the OEM is just as important. If the server has reached the end of support from the OEM, you’ll need to arrange maintenance and support from a third party.
4. Certification
It’s always best to buy used IT equipment that’s certified refurbished. Whether buying directly from the manufacturer or a reseller, ensure the refurbished server has a certificate. This ensures the pre-owned server functions well and all the components are tested.
5. Seller Reputation and Return Policy
Where you’re buying the legacy server also matters. Buying from a trusted reseller guarantees you’ll have the support you need if you run into issues. Otherwise, check the return policy and ensure there’s enough window to test and run the server in your local environment.
How to Test a Refurbished Server
Even if you’re buying a certified refurbished server, it’s best to run some tests to ensure it’s a good fit for your enterprise. Here are the most important tests you should perform on the refurbished server.
- Power-On Self Test (POST): This test runs when the server is switched on, and it checks the essential hardware components, such as memory, CPU, storage, and peripherals.
- Hardware Diagnostics: The OEM of the server provides diagnostic tools to perform in-depth tests on various hardware components that make up the server. Running these diagnostic tests can identify issues with the individual components, particularly those critical for performance.
- Memory Benchmark Tests: Besides the native diagnostic tests, you should also test the RAM with some memory benchmark tests that show the speed of data access to and from the server.
- Network Connectivity Test: Run basic tests, such as pinging other devices to confirm the server successfully connects with the network. Check for consistent speed and communication with other devices in the network.
- Stress Testing: This is the most important test as it determines the capacity and reliability of the server. You can use stress testing tools or run max workloads on the server to test its performance and resilience. The workloads or automated stress tests should echo the peak workloads you expect the server to handle without crashing or overheating.
- Check for OS and Software Updates: Check if the server's operating system and support software are up to date and functioning.
- Security Testing: Perform security scans and vulnerability assessments using security tools to double-check the server's security features. You may need to change configurations to make it more secure.
How Long Can a Legacy Server Last?
Server lifespan may range from five to ten years. However, the lifespan also depends on the use and maintenance of the server. Used servers can’t last very long as they’ve already been in use. However, depending on how long they have been in use and their present condition, they can last for several years.
So if you’re trying to estimate the remaining lifespan of a pre-owned, refurbished server, consider the date of sale.
Suppose you’re buying a server that has been used for three years. Support from the OEM ends in three years for this particular model. You can expect to use the server for at least three years and even more with third-party maintenance.
If the server is not that old and refurbished, you can get several years out of it with proper maintenance.
Consider PivIT for Your Next Refurbished Server
PivIT specializes in procuring new and legacy infrastructure for data centers, service providers, and other IT enterprises. Every server attained through PivIT’s successful Buyback program is tested and certified before being sold to another party.
A refurbished legacy server from PivIT can help you meet your infrastructure needs without spending a fortune. Combine your purchase with reliable maintenance from OneCall to ensure the legacy server is dependable.