Server is a concept in the computer world that can have different definitions. But in a comprehensive definition, servers are systems that are responsible for servicing and providing and providing services to other systems. Systems that receive services from the server are known as clients. If you are interested in learning more about servers and their types, stay tuned for more.
What is server
A home computer to which other systems connected and receive services is also a server. In fact, the only difference with other home computers is the ability to connect to the network and provide services to other systems. This made possible by the programs and settings that are implemented 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.
Also, the systems that provide these services to you over the network are servers. Thus, the World Wide Web is the connection of millions of servers and clients, the number of which is increasing day by day. Server 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 that conventional systems.
Also, these computers will always connect to the World Wide Web and available. Such servers provide the space needed to store information about websites and other web-based software. Therefore users will always be able to access the information of these sites and applications.
Types of servers in terms of communication
Once we know what a server is, we want to get acquainted with the types of servers in terms of communication type. If the server has the task of providing services to only a limited number of systems, it calls a network server. Accordingly, these servers are only active in an internal and private network. So this server manages network and receive their needs and services.
Office suites and companies use these servers commonly. Universities, for example, often use the internal network to provide various services to their staff and students. Also in games 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 are internet servers. Internet servers are, in fact, super-bright and powerful supercomputers that are in service all day long. Internet servers are into different categories in term of function and type. The most important factor and feature of internet sever is their security and stability.
By using the Nameserver feature, it distinguishes internet servers from each other. Nameserver is the dedicated name of each server on the internet. National code of individuals links to nameservers in the real world. All businesses that operate on the internet use internet servers.
Types of servers in terms of application
There are different types of servers for a specific application. These servers do different tasks including email services, video, web hosting and … .
Some of most
File server
File server save files and they assign to repose these information to clients through network. These servers are the oldest and most basic servers in network.
Game server
A game server is a server which all events in a multiple video game happen in it. people who intend to play in multiple video games they should connect to game servers.
Database Server
database Server is a server that repose the database which clients and networked systems use. This server stores and processes all database information.
Application Server
This server is a special kind of database server. But the difference is that clients use it as a software.
Web Server
For web hosting, use the web server. these servers are responsible to store a website data and send them to users’ web browser in World Wide Web.
Mail Server
As the name implies, the purpose of creating and using them to send emails to users. Mail servers use email services and web mails for email management.
Proxy Server
Proxy server is a connection between main server and client. These servers work like personal VPN. This means that when this server checks information, it transfers to the main sever.
Audio/Video Server
These servers provide multimedia content to websites and allow users to stream or receive multi media 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 expressed as follows:
- Server hardware are different from home systems.
- The servers are fully open and accessible 24 hours a day.
- Servers do not need control tools such as mouse, keyboard and …
- To prevent the security of the servers from being compromised, they are in data centers.
- Servers are usually in special containers called racks.
- A set of these racks are on shelves (cages).
- Data centers usually have dedicated teams to manage servers to fix any problem quickly.
Server operating systems
The type of software and operating system used in the servers can be different. The choice of operating system and software installed on the server depends on the goals and needs of site administrators and other businesses. The most common operating systems and software on this servers, include:
Linux operating system: You can install all linux distributions on the servers.
Windows operating system: All windows versions support the servers.
Virtualization software: some servers use virtualization software like Vmware ESX.