Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way enterprises manage and scale their workloads. Organizations across industries are automating processes and uncovering new insights from enormous datasets. However, to take advantage of this advancing technology, you need infrastructure that can keep pace with the increasing demands of modern AI workloads.
That's where the artificial intelligence server or AI server enters the picture. Unlike traditional servers, AI servers are purpose-built to accelerate artificial intelligence applications, delivering the performance and scalability needed to train large models and run inference tasks in real-time.
Lenovo offers industry-leading AI infrastructure that’s ready for the full spectrum of enterprise environments. Whether your focus is on the data center, at the edge, or in the cloud, Lenovo AI solutions—including ThinkEdge and ThinkSystem servers—help you deploy workloads with confidence, securely, and at scale.
Keep reading to learn what an AI server is, the key capabilities to look for in an AI server, and how Lenovo infrastructure can support your aggressive AI strategy.
What Is an AI Server?
An AI server is a computing system designed specifically to support artificial intelligence workloads.
Traditional servers are for general-purpose tasks, such as hosting web applications or processing ecommerce transactions. But unlike AI servers, they’re not specifically designed to keep up with the growing demands of today's compute-intensive AI projects and workloads.
The difference lies in the hardware. AI servers are equipped with additional, high-performance components such as GPUs to accelerate parallel processing and handle large-scale data computations. They typically feature advanced cooling capabilities, too, along with high memory bandwidth and specialized software frameworks. Together, it makes AI servers ideal for two critical AI functions: training, where models learn from massive datasets, and inference, where those models apply what they've learned to deliver new answers, predictions and insights.
AI servers prepare enterprises to unlock the fuller potential of artificial intelligence in business-critical applications. Today’s rack servers will always have a valuable place in IT settings, but AI servers are expected to lead the way in near-term AI innovation.
Key Capabilities of AI Servers
Today's AI servers act as the cornerstone of enterprise AI strategies. They support diverse workloads such as large-scale model training, real-time inference tasks, and more.
5 critical capabilities and features of an AI server:
- High-performance GPUs / CPUs: AI server processing is optimized for parallel computation. This speeds up the work of training complex models, so you can more quickly benefit from their new insights.
- Scalability for growing workloads: AI servers can scale vertically by adding more powerful hardware or horizontally across multiple clusters. This gives you the long-term flexibility that you may need in the future.
- Enterprise-grade reliability:Advanced thermal efficiency (heat-reducing and cooling features) and redundant components help mission-critical AI servers to keep running like you need them to.
- Data security and protection:AI servers equipped with advanced encryption and secure access controls help protect sensitive information both during training and when performing inference tasks.
- Seamless integration:Lenovo AI servers integrate seamlessly with many popular enterprise tech stacks, supporting major AI software frameworks and managed services like Lenovo TruScale.
If you think about it, AI servers do more than accelerate workloads. They deliver tangible business benefits by helping you deploy and use AI applications more efficiently, reliably, and securely.
AI Servers vs. Traditional Rack Servers
Traditional rack servers and AI servers (which still sit in “racks”—just bigger, specialized ones) are designed for different things. Rack servers are mostly for general-purpose computing, like hosting applications and running databases. They’re broadly functional but aren’t optimized for the advanced requirements of AI workloads. In contrast, AI servers are engineered for the performance demands of today's super-demanding AI training and inference tasks. They help companies deploy AI apps and services better and faster and with greater reliability.
4 key differences between AI servers and traditional rack servers:
- Hardware acceleration:AI servers include specialized components like GPUs for massive, high-throughput parallel processing.
- Workload optimization:Rack servers handle a wide variety of IT tasks and workloads. AI servers are built to excel at model training, deep learning, and real-time analytics.
- Broad scalability:AI servers can scale both horizontally across multiple clusters and vertically by adding more GPUs, for example. Regular rack servers can also expand, but typically with less GPU density and bandwidth.
- Data handling:AI servers are built for massive data movement so they to handle huge datasets efficiently. Traditional rack servers are capable, too, but at scale may not deliver AI-level data throughput and processing.
But remember, it’s not always a case of “either one or the other.” Most companies will still have both kinds of devices in their overall IT infrastructure: rack servers for general-purpose apps and services; AI-specialized servers for accelerated model training, inference tasks and real-time queries.
Choosing the Right GPU Server for AI Workloads
GPUs and GPU servers are at the heart of AI performance. These powerful chips enable massive parallel processing, which greatly accelerates the way AI trains its large language models and uses inference to make new decisions and predictions. However, there are different GPU server options that you should be aware of before making a choice.
5 things to consider when comparing GPU servers for AI:
- Model size and complexity:Large generative AI models tend to require high-end GPUs with large memory capacity. If your needs are more modest, it may be acceptable to use less powerful alternatives.
- Throughput vs. latency:If your goal is training models, the typical advice is to optimize throughput. If your goal is inference, then speed and low latency are key. [Given this, many IT shops need multiple types of GPU servers.]
- Software compatibility:Make sure your GPU choice supports the AI frameworks your team uses (common examples include TensorFlow, PyTorch, etc.).
- Scalability:For flexibility, look for the capability to expand GPU capacity as your workloads intensify or multiply. Given the rapid way AI is evolving, scalability is considered especially critical.
- Support:Always discuss support options. Lenovo is ready to help before and after your purchase of our innovative ThinkSystem and ThinkEdge servers.
The key is matching the GPU resources you buy to your company's specific AI needs—with a plan to grow when and as needed in the future.
Hardware Requirements for AI Inference vs. AI Training
In general, you can group AI workloads into two categories: inference or training. And naturally, your enterprise goals—and the AI tasks you run—will determine your AI server requirements.
Training large language models, for example, involves teaching the AI to recognize patterns by processing large datasets. It requires high levels of computing power and huge memory capacity, among other features.
Inference-related AI tasks involve using the trained models to answer queries or complete specific actions. For inference workloads, it's considered more important that AI servers be optimized for low latency and scalability.
Fortunately, Lenovo offers AI servers to handle all kinds of AI workloads. And while in-stock availability varies, you’ll typically find GPUs from all the major GPU makers across our wide selection of ThinkSystem and ThinkEdge servers.
Edge vs. Cloud Deployment for AI Infrastructure
Enterprises can run AI workloads in the cloud, at the edge, or use a hybrid approach.
Cloud platforms offer broad computational capacity. But they can introduce latency to your workflows and increase data transfer costs. Edge deployment, in contrast, puts the compute activities closer to your data or input source. This minimizes latency, conserves bandwidth, and helps safeguard sensitive information.
Both cloud and edge solutions are highly effective, and either choice—or both—may suit your business's specific needs. That's why many companies opt for a hybrid AI infrastructure solution. Hybrid AI infrastructure combines edge computing with cloud resources, allowing you to process sensitive information locally while also tapping into the cloud's added computing capacity when needed.
Powering AI Transformation with Managed Infrastructure
AI infrastructure can carry high costs due to its advanced compute and storage requirements. But many companies don’t want to invest that much just to get started—they'd like to gain the benefits of advanced AI infrastructure while carefully managing up-front spending. For these customers, Lenovo offers TruScale Infrastructure-as-a-Service.
Managed infrastructure allows enterprises to deploy artificial intelligence capabilities in a subscription-based service model. You get access to the computing power you need today and can then expand when your business—and budget—allow.
Plus, as your AI workloads grow, Lenovo's leading solutions help you scale server capacity while maintaining system health. This makes deployment easier and simplifies infrastructure management for the IT team.
Aligning IT Infrastructure with Scalable AI Goals
Artificial intelligence is constantly evolving, and infrastructure must evolve with it.
That's why Lenovo AI servers can scale with modular GPU configurations and flexible deployment options. They also offer interoperability with partner ecosystems from leading manufacturers like Intel and AMD.
For example, instead of replacing your entire AI infrastructure every few years, you can expand over time. This keeps your investment cost-effective and relevant as technology improves, enhancing your ability to support future workloads.
Conclusion
Finding the right AI servers for your business will prepare it to thrive both today and as the technology changes in the future. And whether you run centralized data centers, deploy compute capacity at the edge, or adopt a hybrid, managed approach, Lenovo can help.
With Lenovo's AI-optimized servers and trusted partnerships, you get the flexibility to scale safely and the performance to accelerate innovation. Browse our industry-leading AI solutions today to get started.