Bare Metal Server
Definition
A physical server in the cloud dedicated entirely to a single customer, with no virtualization layer or shared resources.
Use Cases
- Dropbox: High-performance storage infrastructure for large-scale file synchronization and storage services — Migrated major parts of its backend from public cloud to custom-built dedicated server infrastructure (often referred to as "Magic Pocket") to better control hardware, performance, and cost at scale. (Improved cost efficiency and performance predictability at large scale by tailoring hardware and software to workload needs.)
- Netflix: Content delivery and edge caching to stream video reliably at global scale — Uses dedicated server hardware via its Open Connect CDN program, placing Netflix-owned caching appliances in ISP and internet exchange locations to serve content closer to viewers. (Reduced transit costs and improved streaming quality and reliability by serving content from caches near end users.)
- Basecamp (37signals): Hosting core SaaS applications with strong control over performance and operations — Runs its production workloads on dedicated servers (rather than a purely multi-tenant public cloud approach) to maintain direct control over hardware resources and operational characteristics. (Greater predictability and control over performance and infrastructure decisions, aligned with their operational preferences.)
Provider Equivalents
- AWS: Amazon EC2 Dedicated Hosts
- Azure: Azure Dedicated Host
- GCP: Sole-tenant nodes
- OCI: Bare Metal Instances
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between a Dedicated Server and a VPS (virtual private server)?
- A dedicated server is an entire physical machine reserved for one customer. A VPS is a virtual machine that shares the same physical server with other customers, with isolation provided by a hypervisor. Dedicated servers typically offer stronger isolation and more consistent performance, while VPSs are usually cheaper and faster to provision.
- When should I use a Dedicated Server?
- Use a dedicated server when you need strict single-tenant isolation (compliance or security requirements), predictable performance (avoid noisy-neighbor effects), specialized hardware control (specific CPU models, local NVMe layouts, or licensing constraints), or when you run steady, high-utilization workloads where renting the whole machine is cost-effective.
- How much does a Dedicated Server cost?
- Cost depends on server size (CPU/RAM/storage), region, commitment term, and whether you reserve an entire host (host-based pricing) or rent a full bare metal server. In public cloud, dedicated options usually cost more than shared-tenancy VMs because you pay for exclusive access to physical capacity. Additional costs can include software licenses (some are per-socket/per-core), premium support, data transfer, and managed services.
Category: compute
Difficulty: advanced
Related Terms
See Also