Blade

Updated: 10/02/2017 by Computer Hope

A blade may refer to any of the following:

1. With a network router, switch, server, or another network device, a blade (also known as an expansion module) is hardware installed into a chassis. It provides additional functionality, much like an expansion card in a computer, but often at a much bigger scale. For example, a router or switch with blade support allows complete customization, if more fiber lines are needed, additional fiber blades can be added.

2. With servers, a blade, blade server, or a high density server is one rack mount unit that holds different servers. Blade servers can save space and make maintaining a network of hundreds of servers a lot easier. The picture shows the Dell PowerEdge 1855 and what a blade server may look like outside of a rack.

Diskless workstation, GBIC, Network terms, Server, Thin client