What is a server?
What is meant by the server: A server is a concept in the computer world that can have different definitions. But in a comprehensive definition, servers are systems responsible for servicing and providing services to other systems. Systems that receive services from the servers are known as clients or clients. Stay tuned for more if you are interested in learning more about servers and their types.
A home computer to which other systems connect and receive services is also a server. The only difference with other home computers is the ability to connect to the network and provide services to other systems.
This is made possible by the programs and settings that is implementing on it. For example, when you enter different sites in your browser and use their services, you are actually playing the role of the client.
Service Providers
Also, the computer systems that provide these services to you over the network are called servers. Thus, the World Wide Web is based on the connection of millions of servers and clients, the number of which is increasing day by day. The servers usually means slang in terms of web hosting. In the field of web hosting, a server is usually a supercomputer that is much more powerful in terms of hardware than conventional systems.
Also, the computer will always connect to the World Wide Web and available. Such server provide the space needed to store websites and other web-based software information. Therefore, users will always be able to access the information on these sites and applications.
Types of servers in terms of communication
Once we know what a server is, we want to get acquainting with the types of servers in terms of communication type. If the server is responsible for providing services to only a limit number of systems, it is calling a network server. Accordingly, these servers are active only in an internal and private network. So the systems in this network are managed by this server and receive their needs and services.
These servers using for office suites and companies. Universities, for example, typically use the internal network to provide various services to their staff and students. Also, in in-game nets, a system usually acts as a server in the internal network.
On the other hand, if the servers of a network communicate with other systems through the World Wide Web, they calling Internet servers. Internet servers are, in fact, super-bright and powerful supercomputers, serving all day long. Internet servers is dividing into different categories in terms of function and type. The most important factor and feature of Internet servers is their security and stability.
The Nameserver feature distinguishes Internet servers. Nameserver is the specific name of each servers on the Internet. Nameservers is liken to the national code of individuals in the real world—Internet servers in all businesses that operate on the Internet.
Types of servers in terms of application
There are different types of servers, each for a specific application. These servers do various things, including email, video, web hosting, and… Some of the most widely used servers in terms of usage are:
Types includs:
File Servers: These servers is using to store files and are responsible for providing this information to clients through the network. These servers are the most basic and oldest servers used in networking.
Game Servers: A game server is a server where all events take place in a multiplayer video game. People who want to play multiplayer must connect to one of these game servers. Game servers are divide into two categories: internal network game servers and Internet game servers.
Database Servers: A database server is a server that provides the database used by clients or networked systems.
database:
All database information on this server is stored and processed.
Application Server: This server is a special type of database servers. The only difference is that the software use by the clients is install on the server, such as a database.
Web Server: Web servers using host sites. These servers are responsible for storing site-specific data and sending it to users’ web browsers.
Mail Server: As the name implies, the purpose of creating and using these servers is to send emails to users. Email servers use email services or Web mails to manage email-related tasks.
Proxy Server: This server is an interface between the main server and the client. These servers work like personal VPNs. After this server checks the information, it transfers it to the main server.
Audio / Video Server: These servers provide multimedia content to websites and allow users to stream or receive multimedia content.
The difference between servers and ordinary computers
Professional servers differ from home computers in many ways. In general, some of these differences can be expressing as follows:
Servers differences
So The hardware used for servers is different from home systems. The servers are fully open and accessible 24 hours a day. Servers do not require control tools such as a mouse, keyboard, and… To prevent the security of the servers from being compromise , there is store in data centers. Servers is usually store in special containers called racks. A set of these racks is placeing
on shelves called cages. Datacenters usually have dedicated teams to manage the servers to fix any problems quickly.
Servers operating systems
So The type of software and operating system used in the servers can be different. The choice of operating system and software installed on the servers depends on the goals and needs of web admins and other businesses. The operating systems and software that are using on servers are:
Linux operating system: All Linux distributions install on servers
\Windows operating system: All versions of Windows support the ability to install on the servers .
Virtualization software: Some servers use virtualization software such as Vmware ESX.