At most IS sites, physical space is limited. Yet the need for ever more powerful servers with fault-tolerance capabilities is always increasing. High-density servers solve both problems neatly. They also require very little maintenance and draw less power than standard servers.

In our tests, Cubix Corp.'s Density System 1000 came out on top thanks to its combination of excellent management and high performance using the available Xeon overdrive processor. We found this system's management features straightforward and easy to use. ChatCom and Network Engines also provided admirable management, but their software lacked the refinement of Cubix's software. The fit and finish of the Cubix server was also better than that of the competition.

Network Engines deserves applause for producing the smallest server in our test. However, the P6000's lack of a multiplexing interface and slightly more complex management capabilities kept it from securing the top spot. ChatCom's ChatPower Plus was second to none in server maintenance and bang for the buck, but we couldn't award it top honors because of its size and structural design faults. However, all three are worthy contenders and each one exhibits significant strengths.