Servers
Server is a word that has a variety of meanings. Strictly any computer that runs server software is a server, and usually Microsoft XP installs parts that make the machine a server. Here I am talking about devices designed to perform functions that client machines arent designed to do.
The key features of a server are
- Powerful processing capabilities, this may be provided by much faster CPUs or by more than one CPU
- Redundant hard drives Redundancy here means that harddisks are used to backup data. (RAID)
- Built in network hubs and cards
- Fault tolerance servers have features that enable them to still work when one or more component fails.
- Many servers have built in backup devices such as tape drives.
Types of Server
This section mirrors a part of a wikipedia page to explain some of the sorts of servers follow the links, this is not part of the syllabus.
Server (computing), a computer that provides services to other computers, or the software that runs on it
- File server, provides file services
- Application server, a server dedicated to running certain software applications ususally programs that are rarely used
- Communications server, carrier-grade computing platform for communications networks
- Database server, provides database services
- Fax server, provides fax services for clients
- Game server, a server that video game clients connect to in order to play online together
- Web server, a server that HTTP clients connect to in order to send commands and receive responses along with data contents.
© LEV
