Preventing Server Maintenance from Turning to Server Repairs

The amount of data generated everyday continues to grow as an estimated 328.77 million terabytes of data are created each day in 2023; approximately 120 zettabytes in the entire year. This number is expected to increase by 150% in 2025 to reach 181 zettabytes and continue to grow every year. For many enterprises, data continues to be an important resource not only to improve their business performance, but also for future digital transformation efforts such as to train their own AI models.

This has also driven the growth of various data storage related products and services; including servers, data centers, cloud services, etc. For example, according to Grand View Research the server market was valued at USD 94.09 billion in 2023. This value is expected to grow to USD 175.29 billion in 2030; a CAGR of 9.3% in the research period. Among the driving factors are continued advances in emerging technologies, such as AI, IoT, big data, cloud computing, and 5G. This growth in the server market will also be reflected in other hardware, services, and solutions supporting the servers, including server rails/ slides.

According to technavio, the server rail market size in 2023 was approximately USD 75.8 million and will reach USD 99.87 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 5.67% between 2023 and 2028. While generally an inconspicuous component, server rails are necessary to ensure the servers can be easily installed, modified, maintained, or if necessary, replaced; especially as a significant portion of servers are customized to fit the needs of the users. Server rails need to account for the significant amount of heat generated while the server is in operation as well as its weight which can be as high as over 100 kg. In addition, server rails might also need additional surface treatment to prevent rusting, as well as preventing short circuits or static electricity discharge.

Manufacturers such as Ablecom, Binn Yuan, Martas, or Nan Juen (Repon) offer slides and rails made of different materials and finishes for servers with different specifications including their weight, width, height, depth, formfactor, etc. These metrics will be important for users as the slides will have to be in the correct size and load capacity to prevent damages.

In addition, the type of slides will have to be considered as well, not only for economic reasons, but also for repair and maintenance purposes. For example; users with limited space or limited time to service might benefit more from a telescopic rail slide while users who will need a large number of rails might prefer the fixed rail slide that offers a more cost-effective solution. In addition, there are also universal rail slides that can support a variety of server racks, including ones not in standard size.

Rail materials and finishes are also important to select for both functionality and aesthetics purposes. For example, ED coating (electrophoretic deposition coating) has good corrosion protection and chemical resistance which makes additional lubrication application possible and safe. Materials such as high tensile strength steel or aluminum are also commonly chosen to ensure both strength and durability, especially since servers can weigh as high as 100 kg.

Exhibitors featured in this edition of the COMPUTEX Special report include:

Ablecom >>> https://show.computex.biz/ExhibitorDetail.aspx?scom_id=1607
BIN YUANN >>> https://show.computex.biz/ExhibitorDetail.aspx?scom_id=3699
Martas >>> https://show.computex.biz/ExhibitorDetail.aspx?scom_id=5734
NAN JUEN >>> https://show.computex.biz/ExhibitorDetail.aspx?scom_id=3453

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