Understand the features baseline. For example, both types of servers should include fan and power supplies that are hot-pluggable and redundant, as well as management software for controlling power and cooling. Small providers may give you the cheapest price for equipment and service, but they rarely have the resource pool they need to grow their network with your business. And they do so by acquisition: As a result, their customers get a combination of boxes—one for switching, one for voice[…]
