Diverse data sets arriving in massive amounts at a high velocity require specialized servers to handle the demand. These servers are built with specific hardware and software to run the computation and storage of large quantities of structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data.

In this article, we will explore big data servers and explain the requirements necessary to handle immense volumes of information. In addition, you’ll understand the difference between bare metal and cloud infrastructure and be able to choose which is suitable to store, process, and manage your network’s data.

What is Considered Big Data?

Large volumes of information too complex to be managed and processed by traditional methods are categorized as big data. In addition, big data grows exponentially over short periods of time, requiring advanced hardware and software to process the information.

Big data has become highly valuable for organizations and businesses, but it’s challenging to manage because the data is typically unstructured and from various sources.

What are Big Data Servers?

Big data servers are dedicated servers with the processing power and ability to integrate with advanced database software. To handle large volumes of data, the servers must possess sophisticated physical infrastructure capable of storing, retrieving, and processing complex data sets.

Big data servers must also be compatible with storage systems like HDFS, HBase, and MongoDB to organize and manage unstructured data. Software is an essential part of analyzing big data. In many cases, organizations and companies will need to parse messy, unorganized data sets and require servers that can run NoSQL and NewSQL systems. Big data servers must handle data collected as key-value pairs, JSON, graphs, or tables not limited to typical SQL structure.

Parallel computing is another feature big data servers need to handle big data. This type of computation allows multiple calculations to run simultaneously. In addition, large problems can be divided into more manageable tasks and solved at the same time.

Data integrity is vital for organizations and businesses working with overwhelming amounts of information at a high velocity. Because big data consists of unstructured data, the servers must perform at a high level of accuracy, completeness, and consistency.

Big Data Servers Vs. Typical Dedicated Servers

Big data servers must be dedicated machines because they require high processing power. However, they differ from traditional dedicated servers in a variety of ways:

• Writing – Big data servers can’t have writing delays, whereas dedicated servers can get away with minimal interruptions.
• Storage – NoSQL or NewSQL systems capable of handling unstructured data.
• Cost – More expensive than dedicated servers because of advanced hardware.
• Development – Physical infrastructure and software are still in the development stages. Dedicated server technology is much further along.

Hardware Required for Big Data Servers

The physical infrastructure is crucial when managing big data. Big data servers need a network with the capacity to store and process large volumes of data. The servers require more storage, memory, and processing capabilities than regular dedicated servers because they need to carry out complex analysis processes.

Software Used to Manage Big Data

Big data servers must integrate with software that can handle big data. Query languages run the storage and processing systems while stream processing computation frameworks like Apache Storm and Kafka manage data feeds. In addition, big data servers also need to integrate with visualization and data mining platforms, so the information is digestible for humans.

Bare Metal Vs. Cloud Infrastructure

Dedicated servers are limited in their flexibility and have a high cost compared to virtual data centers. However, many clients need the advanced processing power only available with physically designated servers.

While cloud computing is becoming more accommodating to big data as the technology develops, the choice is dependent on the data.

Bare Metal

Bare metal servers continue to be the best option for big data. They have the processing power and security required to handle complex data sets, and performance is maximized because there isn’t virtualization. Many virtual data centers (VDC) can handle complex data sets, but the performance isn’t at the same standard as bare metal. Cloud-based servers offer more flexibility and less cost but aren’t reliable enough to handle most big data sets.

What is Bare Metal Cloud?

Bare metal cloud combines the high performance of a bare metal dedicated server with the flexibility of cloud computing. Clients still have a dedicated, physical server but have access to global on-demand availability and cost-effective pricing. In addition, bare metal cloud servers can be connected to multiple public clouds but managed with a singular platform.

Choosing a Big Data Server

Picking the right option for your data is extremely important. A server’s capacity will dramatically affect your ability to analyze and implement your company’s data. The evolution of big data servers is still in development and can be challenging to navigate without experience. If you need help choosing a big data server network that is right for your business, contact our knowledgeable data center professionals today or you can schedule a demo or spin up servers on demand.

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