Well, at the simplest level, a Server is a computer
that does work for many people at the same time. This is different
from a Workstation (sometimes called a Personal
Computer) which does work for only one person at a time.
So, whereas a Workstation usually sits on someone's
desk and does that person's work, a Server usually lives in
a "computer room" and is accessed by people from all over
the business - sometimes from all over the world.
But, having said that, there are MANY different
kinds of servers, such as:
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File-and-Print Servers |
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Mail Servers |
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Web Servers |
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Database Servers |
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Application Servers |
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and many others... |
Sometimes a single Server will do several of the
above things simultaneously. In larger organizations, there
may be several Servers doing the same thing. It all depends
on your needs.
For example, in a small organization, a single
server may provide File-and-Print Services, E-Mail, and Database
services. By contrast, in a large business, there may be a
dozen servers doing nothing but serving Web pages. Budgets,
security, and user requirements determine the correct solution
for each environment.
A properly installed Server is usually located
in a secure place, with environmental controls (Air Conditioning,
humidity, etc.). It should also have some form of Battery
Backup and regular backups of data onto magnetic tape, or
other backup devices such as CD-ROM. In a small-to-medium
sized offices, a member of the office staff is usually assigned
responsibility for changing backup tapes and other server
maintenance activities. In large organizations, there is usually
an IT department responsible for these activities.
A File-and-Print Server does two primary
jobs. First, and foremost, it acts as a "big hard disk" where
all users save their working files, such as Word Processing
documents and Spreadsheets. This allows users to share data
and collaborate and to feel comfortable that their work is
being backed up every night. And contrary to popular opinion,
saving your work on a Server is actually more secure than
saving it on your local hard drive.
A File-and-Print Server also acts as a command
centre for the printers in an organization. It manages all
of these printers and allows them to be shared by many users.
Mail Servers
Also called "E-Mail Servers". A Mail Server
is used to send and receive Electronic Mail. Usually it also
acts as the repository for all of your users' mailboxes. Mail
Servers can run a variety of popular E-Mail applications programs,
such as Microsoft Exchange or Lotus Notes. There are also
numerous powerful E-Mail applications based upon Open Source.
Connectability can help you determine which is the right solution
for your environment.
When you use your Web Browser (Microsoft
Internet Explorer, Netscape Communicator, Opera, etc.) to
open a Web Page (eg. www.yahoo.com), that browser connects
to a Web Server which contains those Web Pages. Web Servers
run a special software program such as Microsoft Internet
Information Server or Apache which provides web content. Sometimes,
Web Servers also provide Database information. For example,
if you are looking up stock prices, or shopping online, that
information is contained in a Database. That Database may
be located on the Web Server or on a separate Database Server.
Database Servers act as repositories of
(usually) large quantities of business data. For example,
sales histories, inventories, customer orders, accounts receivable
balances and so forth are all types of data that could reside
in Database files, on a Database Server. Usually, there are
two kinds of Database Servers - Internal and External. An
Internal Database Server would usually be used by a company
for the running of its business operations. Typically, it
would be accessed by users located at the companies offices.
An External Database Server is usually for
providing business information to remote users, typically
connected over the Internet. For example, if you want to look
up your stock profile at your online brokerage, or check the
price of CD's at an online retailer, all of this information
is maintained in publicly accessible External Databases.
There are many popular database software
programs. On Microsoft Windows 2003 Server, the most commonly
used is Microsoft SQL Server, although other databases are
sometimes used, such as Oracle or MySQL.
In the UNIX and Linux world, the most popular
commercial database is Oracle, while the best-known Open Source
databases are MySQL and PostgreSQL.
Part of Connectability's job is to help
you identify the right database solution for your business.
An Application Server is a Server which
is dedicated to the task of running a particular software
application. Often, this is kind of application is some form
of business software such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning),
CRM (Customer Relationship Management) or accounting software.
Often, an Application Server is also a Database Server, since
many of these business software packages require a Database
engine in order to function.
Application Servers run most often on some
sort of UNIX or Linux Operating System. However, there is
a growing presence of Microsoft Windows 2003 Server in the
Application Server market.
What other kinds of servers are there? Any
time there is a need for several individual users to share
a common task, there is an opportunity to consolidate that
work onto a server. Here are some examples of other kinds
of servers:
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Modem Servers (sharing a common pool
of modems) |
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FAX Servers (to allow FAXing from your
desk) |
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Firewall Servers (to protect your network
from outside Intruders) |
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Collaboration Servers (allows shared
calendars, workflow, etc.) |
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...many other possibilities |
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