Welp MagazineAs IT technology continues to march on, a lot of the hardware we use today will soon become useless. That means, soon or later, you will have to consider upgrading to better systems, leaving you with a lot of items to dispose of.
Used rack servers are one of the items that can easily pile up over the years as you constantly switch to better ones. You need to have a proper plan for how you are going to dispose of or sell rack servers from your Dell PowerEdge, HP, or other type of computer.
In this article, we will look at why disposing of used Dell PowerEdge and HP servers is a common problem, and how you can do it the right way.
What Are Rack Servers?
A rack server allows you to store lots of different servers in a convenient, space-saving, and orderly manner by mounting them in a secure enclosure.
Let’s say, for example, you have different Dell PowerEdge and HP servers all running as part of your system. Instead of having them lying around all over the place, leaving you with a tangle of cables and Dell EMC, Cisco USC, and HP hard drive components to deal with, you can set up a rack or tower server.
The following are some of the advantages of having a rack server:
- Better space conservation and asset management for your small business
- Easier maintenance and diagnosis of your Dell PowerEdge and HP servers
- Optimum cooling
- Increased scalability
Why Dispose of Your Old Dell Servers?
Whether you have a Dell PowerEdge, HP ProLiant DL, or any of the latest BL Blade servers and Cisco servers on the market, you will need to dispose of them one day.
This is because even new Blade servers (BL), or Dell and HP servers, are designed to last about three to five years with regular usage. If you happen to have bought refurbished or used equipment, including Dell servers, these products will last even less than that.
After a while, you will notice that your networking equipment or refurbished servers will begin to lag, have longer downtimes, and becomes prone to data loss. At this point, it will be too late to return your equipment to the manufacturer, so your best option is to dispose of, recycle, or sell your server and get a new one.
Why You Can’t Simply Toss Them Out
You might be wondering what all the fuss is about regarding used computer servers. After all, you can simply throw away your old, refurbished Dell servers and buy some new ones, right? Wrong!
There is a proper way to dispose of Dell PowerEdge and HP servers that you need to consider, and here is why it is important:
- Data Breaches
Imagine if you throw away your Dell hard drive or servers and there is some confidential information still stored on them. If it were to get into the wrong hands, it could be disastrous for you, your business, or even your clients.
A lot of data breaches that have resulted in the leaking of confidential information in the past can be traced back to the improper destruction of Dell and HP servers. If you have reserved credit card information, addresses of clients, or other confidential business information on your hard drive server, you cannot allow anyone who finds these to get access to that data.
- Legal Problems
Besides simply putting your business or customers at risk, you also expose yourself to legal action if you allow confidential data to fall into the wrong hands. Imagine if the dedicated server hosting company that handles your data allows hackers to get hold of it and cause untold damage to your business. Would you not consider taking legal action?
- Environmental Implications
Dell and other types of rack servers all contain hazardous materials, making it illegal to simply throw these into a landfill. You have to consider the environmental impact your actions will have, which is why you need a better plan to get rid of your old or refurbished rack servers.
What Is the Best Option When Disposing of Used Dell Rack Servers?
Many companies buy used servers for a good price, and this is the best option if you have some rack servers to get rid of. Rather than worry about data theft, legal ramifications, and pollution, why not simply find a company that sells refurbished servers and hire its data destruction services?
However, you need to choose the right company for this so that you get a good price, ensure data protection, and make sure no harmful materials from your Dell server return to the environment.
When you find a reliable company that operates ethically, you can sell rack servers to it and order the destruction of all your data before the company puts up your refurbished servers for sale.
Some Tips to Remember
When you order a company that sells refurbished Dell servers to dispose of your rack servers, there are a few things to remember, such as:
- Make sure you always have your Dell servers on racks to make the removal process easier.
- If you have any power lines going into your Dell system or battery backup units attached to your servers, make sure you unplug these first. Most companies that buy used rack servers do not unplug or disconnect servers from the network because the client is supposed to have done this.
- Consider the height of the rack servers you need to remove and make sure they can fit through the doorways and not damage your overhead sprinklers or light fixtures.
Got Some Dell or HP Servers You No Longer Need? Dispose of Them the Right Way!
Most people do not realize how important it is to have a proper plan in place to dispose of or sell rack servers once they have outlived their usefulness. However, if you care about data protection and the environment, this is something you will think carefully about.
Find a reliable company that sells refurbished servers and ask them to help you get rid of your used rack servers. You will not only get a good price for them, but you will also be doing your bit for the environment.
