For many server applications, good scalability and serviceability become extremely important. This guide specifies some requirements related to components, such as RAM and processor capabilities, to address robustness issues. Additional requirements or recommendations provide for expansion capabilities in the server system. Ease of use and ease of maintenance. Various requirements seek to address issues related to ease of use and ease of maintenance - two factors that strongly affect the TCO for servers.
Some requirements ensure security of user data or access to system components.
When working to meet these requirements and when choosing to support additional hardware design recommendations, the designer must continually weigh cost versus performance. In defining these guidelines, extra attention has been given to this concern. Intel and Microsoft are dedicated to strategic industry relationships that deepen and strengthen support for evolving the platform. Both companies work with industry groups to define standards for new technologies. Designing operating system support for new bus and device classes to ensure that new technologies can quickly reach a broad market.