Servers

A server is a computer system that provides services to other computer systems - these are called clients. Clients request information from servers, which can either be dedicated or used as a server and a regular computer system.

Servers have placed themselves securely in the market, knocking out the need for minicomputers almost completely. Typical servers operate on a continous basis within a network, while waiting around for requests from the other computers on the network (clients). While many servers fill this role, many others are also used within the network for regular purposes. An example of this would be in a business environment, a high powered desktop computer would work as a regular workstation for an employee, while acting as the server for other employees in the office.

Servers are very similar to regular computer systems, with hardware that is almost exactly the same. The main difference is in their software make-up. Depending on what role a server is fulfilling, is the determinent on the hardware and software used to build the machine.

Servers are often confused with mainframes, which is a completely different computing system. Mainframes are very large computer systems that are centralized for information-processing activities in large organizations. Most largeorganizations utilize both mainframes and servers, with servers being much smaller and number many more. Servers are able to host hardware resources, making them available on a controlled basis to the client computers. These include: printers and file systems. Sharing the information this way, creates a much more secure and safer environment for sharing information.

Depending on the use of the server, whether it be low-load or high-load, determines the overall price of the server. Low-load servers are able to use regular hardware parts, which don't require any special features. High-load servers require specialized hardware, optimized for the needs of the server and usually are quite a bit more expensive. An example of high-end server hardware is "industrial-strength" mechanical components, like disk drives and fans that provide reliability and performance at expensive prices.

Most servers are by themselves in a room, only to be visited for repair and maintenance reasons. The different server applications, are tailored to the tasks that are performed by the server, making them specified to the use they are needed for. Once booted up, server applications run continuosly until it is stopped. The reason for servers running all applications at all times is that a client may request any of the information that the server posesses at anytime. Servers are now almost always found within a network, the safety and convenience of having a server(s) is just too valuable to be without.