Value of extended support/warranties for servers

[maniac]

Hello everyone,

 

With computer hardware becoming ever more reliable I now find myself questioning the need to extend the warranties on server hardware when they expire. I know hardware can become more unreliable as it gets older, but in 3 years I've had only 1 drive failure in my entire server infrastructure. Compare this to ten years ago when drive failures in servers even newer ones were relatively common and the hardware just seemed much more fragile. Does extending the warranty represent value for money any more, or are we better off just paying for replacement parts as the need arises.

 

Discuss.

 

Mike.

[Snuffkins]

We're only talking about server warranties, but the reliability of all equipment seems to have improved as well.

 

Personally I'd always keep our equipment under warranty until it's retired. You're paying for the support of the product as well as hardware replacements and while the support may not always be a good experience the majority of the time it's worth the paying for.

 

If we're talking about network hardware as well then the warranty on the equipment is important for other reasons, like software updates etc.

 

I actually think doing both is ideal. I think warranty and support combined with cold spares etc. and you won't go far wrong.

 

Of course depending on the financial situation it may not be possible and depending on the type of equipment it might be a consideration, how important it is and what services it's providing.

[Steve21]

Personally i'd say you aren't paying for the "part" as such, but the support and time to get it to you.

 

Trying to source XYZ part for a 5 year old server and get it to your work in a short time frame, vs one call and it's all sorted and on site ready for you within 4-24 hours etc.

 

Now ok if you have lets say 4 virtual hosts, you might not care if ones down for a week while you find a part, get finance to order it, it delivers etc, but if it's an important system you need up and running soon the warranty is certainly worth it.

 

Steve

[Gaz]

Yes definately keep it under warranty until it needs to be retired. Just to echo what the others have said its the hassle and downtime of sourcing old parts that your warranty company will keep stocks of.

[m25man]

Unfortunately HP now insist on a valid support contract to access firmware updates and certain support content for servers and when that out of warranty bios update suddenly turns your server into a toaster who do you call?

It won't be ghostbusters!!

 

HP knew what they were doing when they began shutting down access to key files and support pages.

 

It's only a matter of time until you will have to purchase extended warranties or replace kit.

[john]

Unfortunately HP now insist on a valid support contract to access firmware updates and certain support content for servers and when that out of warranty bios update suddenly turns your server into a toaster who do you call?

It won't be ghostbusters!!

 

HP knew what they were doing when they began shutting down access to key files and support pages.

 

It's only a matter of time until you will have to purchase extended warranties or replace kit.

 

The way around that, currently, is just ensure you have 1 item under support and then you get access to ever single thing in the catalogue I'm sure one day they will change this like others but that works great at present

[rich_tech]

I think in the 4 incidents we have had with the SAN here (2 minor and 2 major - one because of a disk/firmware problem and one flash card blowing because of an extended power outage) the support has shown how vital it is in getting stuff remedied quickly, HP's website may be poor, but their support has been pretty top notch so far with NBD visits where necessary and support actually keeping in touch with you about problems when its had to be kept open to arrange out of hours updating of equipment.