For a production file server with a drive space requirement of 2 terabytes, which type of disk is the most cost-effective choice?

When considering the most cost-effective choice for a production file server with a requirement of 2 terabytes of storage, hard disk drives (HDDs) emerge as the optimal solution. HDDs are generally less expensive per gigabyte compared to solid-state drives (SSDs), making them suitable for scenarios where cost is a primary concern and performance is less critical.

In a production environment where large amounts of data need to be stored, HDDs offer ample capacity at a lower price point, which is essential for budget-conscious deployments. Their mechanical design still allows for satisfactory read and write speeds for most file server tasks, especially when access speed is not as critical as data storage cost.

Regarding the other types mentioned, while SSDs provide faster access and better performance, their higher cost per terabyte makes them less ideal for a scenario focused mainly on cost. Tape storage is primarily used for backup and archival purposes rather than as a primary file server, making it unsuitable for the requirement of an active production file server. Additionally, VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) is not a storage type but a network configuration technology, making it irrelevant to the context of disk storage options. Therefore, HDDs are indeed the most cost-effective option for the storage requirement outlined.