A ‘Server’ (or Enterprise Server, ES) means a computing product that provides services and manages networked resources for client devices, such as desktop computers, notebook computers, desktop thin clients, internet protocol telephones, smartphones, tablets, tele-communication, automated systems or other servers, primarily accessed via network connections, and not through direct user input devices, such as a keyboard or mouse.
Since 2019, servers and online data storage products are regulated by Ecodesign Regulation 2019/424 except for small-scale servers that are regulated by Regulation 617/2013.
In estimating the impacts of the regulations, distinctions are made between servers depending on their configuration (tower, rack, blade), number of sockets (1, 2, 4), resilience (yes/no, extensive reliability, availability, serviceability, scalability), and access type (traditional or cloud).
Rack servers are stand-alone devices, comprising all necessary components to operate. The rack servers can be stacked in a standardised U-rack (hence their name), for ease of management and interconnection for combined computing power.
Please note that Regulation (EU) 2019/424 is under review.
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2023