The Pros and Cons of Buying a Refurbished Blade Server

     Refurbished servers help companies maintain their dynamic IT networks without paying a high price for new hardware. Used servers come in three models: tower, rack-mounted, and blade. This article discusses the pros and cons of using the blade models.

Pro: Excellent Scalability

     Blade models are the most scalable of all of the servers. When the network must expand, an additional blade is slipped in the chassis while the network is up and running. This makes it easy to upgrade the network's memory as the new applications are added.

Con: Expensive Configuration

     Initially, configuring blades that serve complex application environments requires significant time and labor. The user may need training from the manufacturer to configure and administrate the models; some manufacturers provide free training. When training is not free, its cost can significantly add to the overall fee of configuration.

Pro: Easy to Deploy

     Often, a company will find refurbished blade servers as the easiest types of servers to deploy. Instead of deploying tower models at different workstations, or securing rack-mount models in an enclosure, a company can deploy blade models by slipping them into a chassis one after the other. This makes the deployment process quick and inexpensive.

Con: Potential for Overheating

     When multiple used servers are housed in a single chassis, they are more likely to overheat than towel or rack-mount models. Purchasing hardware that automatically shuts down when it reaches a critical temperature (i.e. 131°F) is the easiest way to prevent overheating. Keeping the temperature of the environment that houses the chassis below 72°F also helps prevent it from overheating.

Pro: Energy Efficient

     Housing several servers in a single chassis establishes a single power supply for all of the models. This reduces each blade's power needs. Blade models are also more energy efficient than other pieces of hardware because they lack conventional devices that require power, such as a keyboard and a graphics card. If a company is committed to reducing its annual utility bill, using blade models instead of tower models will help.

Con: Economy of Scale

  

Will Purchasing Refurbished Servers Have an Impact on the Environment?

     Tech companies that want to stay ahead of their IT competition will innovate at an alarming rate, so fast it seems the second a customer buys the latest and greatest new computer, another machine is released that is even better. This might be one reason that recent environmental research shows that on average, Americans discard computers after 2-4 years of using them. The most troubling thing about this statistic is the effect that this high turnover has on the environment. Fortunately there is a way for companies that are environmentally friendly to inexpensively acquire quality machines while minimizing environmental harm. All that these buyers have to do is purchase refurbished servers.

      Each time a company opts to purchase refurbished servers produced by manufacturers, it keeps that server out of a nearby landfill. Refurbished servers are in essence recycled servers, as vendors take servers that someone else might throw away and restore them to optimal working condition. This process entails testing specific components to determine if they need to be replaced, replacing them, and then making note of the work that was performed so that the buyer has a record of the device's service history. Many vendors will even remove usable components from servers that are beyond repair, and combine these usable parts into a device that is in full working order. Refurbished servers therefore keep parts and entire systems from being discarded in landfills.

     Keeping servers out of landfills is about more than just saving space. Servers and other computer equipment contain harmful materials like mercury, cadmium, and lead, which have been linked to damage to the brain, the kidneys, and the central nervous system. If these materials are not disposed of properly, then they not only wind up in landfills but they can also be consumed by animals, get washed away into drinking water, and be ingested by individuals who work in landfills. Purchasing refurbished servers not only keeps the physical machines out of landfills, but also keeps dangerous compounds from reaching landfills or the environment.

     Vendors of refurbished servers should make it a priority to find environmentally responsible ways of completing other elements of the buying process. Many sellers will have a buyback program in place so that buyers can get cash back for the machines that they are replacing. This keeps the company's old machines out of landfills, by allowing the vendor to turn them into refurbished servers. If the vendor does not feel that it has enough to work with, it will still offer to take care of proper device disposal as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This process ensures that hazardous compounds like the ones mentioned earlier are removed before the device is taken to a landfill.

    Refurbished servers are the best option for companies that are looking for a way to upgrade their information technology (IT) setup without contributing to buildup in local landfills. Companies can also feel better about a purchase by checking beforehand to see if the vendor offers environmentally responsible disposal options and a buyback program. For an inexpensive, eco-friendly IT upgrade, consider investing in refurbished servers.

Neodymium Magnets: Ideal Components For A Variety Of Applications

     Neodymium magnets are the most commonly used types of rare earth magnets (the strongest among all permanent magnets, producing stronger magnetic fields than other types such as alnico and ferrite magnets). They are used for a number of common applications such as electronics, motoring, magnetic resonance imaging, therapy, and others. The ability of these magnets to remain stable even when exposed to stray electromagnetic fields produced by other permanent magnets make them ideal components for important mechanisms, and with the addition of precise calibration, they become ideal for use in more demanding applications.

     Depending on your specific need, you can find neodymium magnets in a variety of shapes and sizes; they come in blocks, rings, or discs. One of the best uses of these permanent magnets is to facilitate education. Young children can discover how magnets can attract and repel through science experiments or with the help of magnetised building blocks and other toys. Older students can also benefit from the use of magnets in learning about molecules, geometric shapes, and various scientific, mathematical, or even engineering principles.

     Neodymium magnets can be helpful in different stages of construction projects. They can serve as stud finders or mechanisms for finding hidden nails in walls or locating nails under linoleum, hardwood, or tile floors. Welding or drilling applications can use the magnets to hold two or more metal pieces in place.

     Motors found in electric bicycles, scooters, and cars that use neo magnets will also have more power. Much smaller vehicles-the model kind-also have these magnets present in their composition. Wings of model airplanes can be attached with the magnets, slot cars have them so that they would stick better to the track and demonstrate faster lap times, and model railroad cars make use of the permanent magnets as couplers to prevent the cars for coming loose.

     Magnets also prove to be especially helpful in other simple applications like attaching banners to cars and floats during parades, repairing dents from brass musical instruments, strengthening cabinet latches, rejuvenating old magnets, and building generators.

EPOS Retail Systems and Retail Accounting

     Integrating an EPOS retail system with enterprise software like e-commerce solution, loyalty management software and general accounting tools can positively affect business productivity. An EPOS system that can be integrated with separate accounting modules can utilize the same data used by the accounting software. There is consistency in EPOS data and external databases, thus saving time and improving business efficiency. On the other hand, interfaced POS solutions, although not really integrated with third-party software in a strict sense, can communicate with external programs via standard protocols. An EPOS retail system that interfaces with accounting software usually does not transfer data in real-time, unlike the first type, but it still helps reduce errors in inventory and accounting.

     When choosing a retail EPOS provider, the level of system integration assistance available to customers should be carefully considered. Each business has its own IT infrastructures that may not suit certain retail EPOS systems. Buying a retail EPOS system is not as simple as buying a computer. Since an EPOS system is designed to function as a group, interoperability across EPOS software, hardware, peripherals, back-end equipment and software resources is very crucial.

     EPOS retail system developers offer varying levels of integration. An EPOS technology with built-in accounting modules may provide optional features to enable users to choose only the modules they need. These options may include accounts payable, inventory and general ledgers. When using a fully integrated EPOS system, databases for various accounting modules are updated in real-time.

     An EPOS retail system is not easy to set up if you need to deal with competing third-party applications. If that's the case, interface-based EPOS technology is preferred. This type of EPOS system is more flexible as it can communicate with external systems as long as those systems are using the same interface standard. This is particularly helpful for companies with different hardware facilities in its branches.

     If you are fine with manual transfer of POS data into your accounting software, then interface-based EPOS system will be a better choice. This is generally more affordable than complex EPOS technologies designed to be integrated with enterprise systems. However, manual transfer of POS data into a separate accounting application can be time-consuming for big stores with high-volume transactions. It is also more prone to errors. Large store owners go for an EPOS retail solution that can interface with certain features of third-party accounting software. But beware that these solutions may work only with popular accounting applications. Moreover, you may still need to do manual updates for some data modules not supported by the interface. For highly automated EPOS and accounting system, a fully integrated solution is the best choice. This is more expensive, so only very large businesses are using it.

Understanding EMI Shielding

    The effect of the growth experienced in the electronic industry and the adverse use of electronic equipment in computations, communications, biomedical automation, space and many other reasons has resulted in electromagnetic interference. Commonly referred to by its initials EMI, this problem is bound to be severe in the near future, unless a method of control is arrived at.

      The suppression of EMI should be a prime objective for anyone who is involved in this trade, and hence EMI shielding. This can be termed as the reduction of the electromagnetic field, in any given space by using barriers to block the field. These barriers are made of magnetic materials. There are various ways to apply shielding. Shielding is in this case applied to enclosures, isolating all electrical devices, and to cables to keep the wires safely from the surrounding where they run.

      In a world that is becoming more and more dependent on electricity, and all its devices, there is need for protection of all the electrical equipment used in all places, both at home and work. Today EMI shielding can be found in countless devices in the office, home, factories as well as laboratories

     Despite the ever presence of EMI, many, engineers physicists, and other people involved in technology are puzzled by the basic elements involved and all the shielding materials that serve to protect electronic equipment.

     Here are answers to frequently asked questions pertaining to EMI and problems related to it.

     A magnetic field - this comes from the source of magnetic flux. This source might be a motor an    electric-power line a transformer or a bar magnet even Earth. Magnetic fields are responsible for the functioning of motors and transformers.

     Electromagnetic radiation- Electromagnetic radiation is made up of electric and a magnetic field consists of two fields, electric and magnetic. The electric field is responsible for the production of forces, which are on the charge carriers in a conductor. When an electric charge is applied to the surface of a conductor, in brings in a current, which causes charge displacement within the conductor, cancelling the field applied inside, which causes the current to stop.

     Materials used for EMI shielding

     The common materials that facilitate EMI shielding include metal screen, sheet metal, and metal foam. Different positioning techniques are applied when one is shielding. During shielding, using these materials, one should be careful to make sure that any holes found on the mesh or shield are smaller, compares to the wavelength of radiation. This radiation is what is intended to be kept out, and if this is not adhered to, the enclosure or surface shielded will fail to approximate the conducting surface that is unbroken.

What Is There to Know About Location Awareness

     Commonly used via mobile applications and via wireless transmitting devices, location awareness appliances use gadgets whose sole purpose is locating and transmitting information to the user about one's physical location. When these appliances are connected to GPS systems and various phone infrastructures, the result is a system that can be used as a way to locate specific people of interest or specific areas that are being targeted. Various applications can be derived from such inventions. The end user can easily locate restaurants in a specific area code; notices can be made once a person reaches a certain destination and general location of a friend who is in the same social network as you are can also be acquired.

Who has an interest in this technology?

     Location awareness is a fast-growing trend in the science-world in various universities, each of which is coming up with various ways of applications to assist them in their everyday lives. Many campuses are using the device to find people or friends within a specified bandwidth. Further advances in the use of this technology have some faculties collecting digital audio and visual data of certain locations, depending on the settings of the devices. This has become an eye-opener to some of the security item/tool that can be taken up by firms and companies. Security firms are considering the device, as well as organizations that need shuttle-tracking procedures.

How does this work?

     If one sets up plug-ins on his/her browser that has location tools in them, he can get the service running easily. Alternatively, the tools can be installed on iPhones or other devices that are web-enabled to acquire signals. By use of GPS, wireless access and cell towers the location of a particular person can be pointed out. Depending on how receptive the device is, it can tap into the database of these connection points, which are updated on regular intervals. Reliable devices sieve amongst two or more methods to capture the most accurate update.

     Therefore, when the user needs someone's or something's location, all he has to do is activate the location awareness service, which in turn tries to feed from the connection points, providing information. Alternatively, the information can be tapped from a social network that is enabled after which the end user can source this information.

Searching For the Best Ergonomic Mouse

     If you are interested in making your work station more ergonomically friendly you will not only want to purchase an ergonomic chair and desk but you will also want to find a top quality ergonomic mouse to help to complete your office. A good ergonomic mouse will help you to maintain good circulation but also will help you to reduce the pressure that is put on your wrists and will help you be able to vary your posture so that you will not have to sit the same way all day. Three of the best ergonomic mouse types to choose from are the Logitech MX Laser Cordless Mouse, Evoluent VerticaMouse 3 Rev. 2 and the Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000.

     The Logitech MX Laser Cordless Mouse is unlike any other mouse you can purchase because it comes in both right and left handed models. This makes the Logitech MX Laser Cordless Mouse one of the best ergonomic mouse types that you can buy. This mouse has a Darkfield sensor that allows the user to use the mouse on any surface, even glass. Many people you try this mouse say that they also like how easy it is to use and the fact that they can charge it via USB charging.

     Another one of the best ergonomic mouse types you can purchase is the Evoluent VerticalMouse 3 Rev.2. This mouse is one of the top rated mice available for purchase. This mouse has quite a strange look about it and it is used with a cord. It is known to keep your arm straighter than any other mouse available. Some of the features found in the Evoluent VerticalMouse 3 Rev.2. are that it has a DPI toggle button with an LED indicator. There are many benefits to using this mouse over other mice, but it is a hard one to get use to.

     The Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 is one of the best ergonomic mouse types you can buy however it is the one that looks the least like a mouse. It is known for being one of the most comfortable mice available but the overall ratings for this mouse are not as good all around as many of its competitors. If you are looking for the best ergonomic mouse you can find then, this may not be the one for you.

     The three mice listed in this article are only a few of the top rated ergonomic mice that are available to you but these are the top three so it will give you a starting place when you are ready to begin your search for a new mouse.