Server
Updated: 06/30/2019 by Computer Hope
A server is a software or hardware device that
accepts and responds to requests made over a
network. The device that makes the request, and
receives a response from the server, is called
a client. On the Internet, the term "server"
commonly refers to the computer system which
receives a request for a web document, and
sends the requested information to the client.
What are they used for?
Why are servers always on?
Examples of servers.
How do other computers connect to a server?
Where are servers stored?
Can my computer be a server?
Related pages
What are they used for?
Servers are used to
manage network resources. For example, a
user may set up a server to control access to
a network, send/receive e-mail, manage print
jobs, or host a website. They are also
proficient at performing intense calculations.
Some servers are committed to a specific
task, often referred to as dedicated.
However, many servers today are shared
servers which can take on the responsibility
of e-mail, DNS, FTP, and even multiple
websites in the case of a web server.
Why are servers always on?
Because they are commonly used to deliver
services that are constantly required, most
servers are never turned off. Consequently,
when servers fail, they can cause the
network users and company many problems.
To alleviate these issues, servers are
commonly set up to be fault tolerant.
Examples of servers
The following list contains links to various
server types.
Application server
Blade server
Cloud server
Database server
Dedicated server
Domain name service
File server
Mail server
Print server
Proxy server
Standalone server
Web server
How do other computers connect to a server?
With a local network, the server connects to
a router or switch that all other computers on
the network use. Once connected to the
network, other computers can access that
server and its features. For example, with a
web server, a user could connect to the
server to view a website, search, and
communicate with other users on the
network.
An Internet server works the same way as a
local network server, but on a much larger
scale. The server is assigned an IP
address by InterNIC, or by web host.
Usually, users connect to a server using
its domain name, which is registered with
a domain name registrar. When users
connect to the domain name (such as
"computerhope.com"), the name is
automatically translated to the server's IP
address by a DNS resolver.
The domain name makes it easier for users
to connect to the server, because the name
is easier to remember than an IP address.
Also, domain names enable the server
operator to change the IP address of the
server without disrupting the way that users
access the server. The domain name can
always remain the same, even if the IP
address changes.
Where are servers stored?
In a business or corporate environment, a
server and other network equipment are
often stored in a closet or glass house. These
areas help isolate sensitive computers and
equipment from people who should not have
access to them.
Servers that are remote or not hosted on-site
are located in a data center. With these types
of servers, the hardware is managed by
another company and configured remotely by
you or your company.
Can my computer be a server?
Yes. Any computer, even a home desktop or
laptop computer, can act as a server with the
right software. For example, you could install
an FTP server program on your computer to
share files between other users on your
network.
Although it is possible to have your home
computer act as a server, keep the following
ideas in mind.
Your computer and the related
server software must always be
running to be accessible.
When your computer is acting as a
server and being used by others,
its resources (e.g., processing
and bandwidth) will be taken
away from what you have
available to do other things.
Connecting a computer to a
network and the Internet can
open up your computer to new
types of attacks.
If the service you're providing
becomes popular, a typical
computer may not have the
necessary resources to handle all
of the requests.
Related pages
Computer network and network card help and support.
Client, Computer, Hardware terms, Host
computer, Microcomputer, Network, Network terms, PWS, Server
farm, Supercomputer, Web design terms, Workstation
