Server or regular system unit?

Question

Server equipment

Hello! A small organization with about 15-20 computers needs a server for video surveillance, information storage and centralized Internet access. The budget for all this is not very big. I searched for information on the net, but did not understand what is the essential difference between a server and a regular PC. Does it make sense to buy a server or will it be enough just to buy a system unit?
If, nevertheless, there are some advantages of the server, please give examples, which ones are worth buying, etc. For example, I watched HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen8 and still did not understand why it is worth taking it, and not a regular PC, and setting it up as a server.

Answer 1

In your case, you don’t need it, take a regular system unit, just don’t cheap out on a power supply and a case for stable operation.
The advantage of server platforms is mainly more stable operation due to separate testing of pre-selected compatible components by the seller (meaning the brand)
Other advantages - usually server platforms immediately support various useful things for servers, such as more than one built-in network card, support for raid arrays, operational support, the availability of adequate spare parts for a long time.
You will not have a load, so just buy a normal reliable regular computer and you will be happy.

Answer 2

HP ProLiant MicroServer Gen8

And what does it have from the server?
Or take a normal server, if necessary. Or an ordinary, but reliable system manager. But it should be noted that on desktop hardware you can only stick 32 gigabytes of memory.

Answer 3

there are no servers - take desktops, there is a trio of desktops - take a server.
If there is no point in the server - why is it needed.
System + raid and forward video surveillance is not a task for servers ...

Answer 4

so. since you want your eggs to lie where they lie and be intact at the same time ... you need to clearly understand that:
you will need a virtualization system (usually up to 32 gigabytes of memory is recommended for this business, which means the mother must support)
you will need a percent with a lot cores
you will need something that eats less energy
seats (hot-swappable) for screws
and a bottle of vaseline,
all this can be assembled on a regular computer. but you won't get there: a redundant ecc
power supply rack case with properly designed airflow for your specific model.
remote access to the BIOS level and power on/off with the ability to mount disk images (there is such a thing on many corporate boards. But a little not that) the
choice is yours;)

Answer 5

and if you break it down into tasks:
server for video surveillance = video recorder (piece
of iron), centralized Internet access = router (piece of iron),
information storage = file server. And here it’s already calculated from tasks and volumes (you just don’t specify the OS and licensed software in the budget is also a significant amount).
PS It's also a good idea to provide a machine for backups (you can use a regular system unit with disks with free NAS Openfiler or Openmediavault)