Lenovo ThinkServer TS440 Tower Server

Description

Lenovo's ThinkServer TS440 offers superior performance for SMBs that need a front office or branch office server and don't have the space for a dedicated server room. This affordable and scalable tower is ideal for CRM deployments, use as a webserver or for virtual desktop workloads. It may look like a standard computer tower but inside you'll find enterprise-caliber components for 24/7 operation. The system is also 5U rack mountable.

Performance

Featuring only one E3-1200 v3 processor the TS440 is more of an entry level server but very capable of performing general business applications. Intel's C226 chipset supports ECC memory and hot-swap hard drives and comes with onboard RAID support which is a nice no-cost feature.

Memory

With four memory slots on two channels the TS440 supports up to 32GB of memory using 8GB error correcting code (ECC) UDIMM modules. The TS440 only supports UDIMM modules which perform very well on systems with only two memory slots, or less, per channel.

Storage

There's room for eight SAS, SATA or NL-SAS LFF or SFF hot-swap hard drives up front, accessible from a lockable front access panel. The TS440 supports a maximum storage capacity of up to 48 TB of memory using 3.5-inch SATA hard drives. However, if you require storage performance over storage capacity the front mounted 3.5-inch drive trays can also be adapted to house 2.5-inch SAS SSDs for 7.2GB of storage but significantly faster access speeds. Additional storage configurations are available.

Simple RAID configurations are supported with the onboard RAID 100 SATA controller. For more complex RAID configurations Lenovo recommends using the ThinkServer RAID 500 or 700 adapter to support a full range of RAID options.

Expansion

There are a total of four PCI slots; two PCIe 3.0 and two PCIe 2.0 to support additional external devices like accelerator cards, NICs or additional storage controllers. An integrate gigabit Ethernet port is a welcome addition and helps reserve valuable PCIe slots for other components. Keep in mind many of the E5-1600 v3 processors do not include a graphics processor so you will need to either purchase one that does or use one of those PCIe slots for video support. Processors comparison chart

Management

Management is simple and intuitive using Intel's Active Management Technology 9.0 which functions independent of the OS and is included at no additional cost. Once configured the AMT controller can help administrators manage, monitor and deploy applications using common monitoring tools like Microsoft Systems Center Operations manager 2012 which features.

• Remote update
• Health monitoring
• Power and media remote control
• And system inventory to name a few of the features.

In Conclusion

This is a solid entry-level server that's very quiet for front office deployment. Lenovo calls it "whisper quiet" which in non-technical terms means it's a little less than the background noise you would find in a library. This system is a popular addition for retail, campus office environments, managed service providers, and remote branch offices with limited IT support. The TS440 also features a very attractive price point for smaller size businesses that require loads of storage coupled with simple intuitive systems management at no additional cost.