What is Server?

A server is a computer program or device that provides a service to another computer program and its user, also known as the client. In a data center, the physical computer that a server program runs on is also frequently referred to as a server. That machine might be a dedicated server or it might be used for other purposes.

In the client/server programming model, a server program awaits and fulfills requests from client programs, which might be running in the same, or other computers. A given application in a computer might function as a client with requests for services from other programs and as a server of requests from other programs.

How servers work

The term server can refer to a physical machine, a virtual machine, or to software that is performing server services. The way that a server works varies considerably depending on how the word server is being used.

Physical and virtual servers

A physical server is simply a computer that is used to run server software. The differences between a server and a desktop computer will be discussed in detail in the next section.

What are the advantages of a server over a computer?

A server is a role a computer plays in an organization (or, if you prefer, in a network).

A computer sold as a server is designed with features helpful for those kinds of roles. Maybe they’re helpful for the particular role you have in mind… or maybe they’re not.

If the feature list works for your job, any computer can be a server.

Best Examples of Server

home media servers, web servers, and print servers. There are also file servers and database servers.

Types of server

1. Webserver

An open-source web server is used for accessing the world wide web through public domain software. These servers connect stored information from an internet website to your own computer. Web servers store information for the internet that is retrieved via "HTTP" code and sent to your web browser. This is one of the most widely used types of servers.

 

2. Proxy server

Proxy servers act as a bridge between a host server and a client-server. A proxy sends data from a website to your computer IP address after it passes through the proxy's server. This practice adds a layer of security since the information is requested then transferred from the source to the proxy server and never directly from a client to another user. A proxy server can filter out various harmful internet entities.

3. Virtual machine (VM)

As their name suggests, virtual machines store and connect data strictly through virtual space. To create a virtual machine, IT teams use a hypervisor, also known as a virtual machine monitor (VMM), which is software that can run thousands of virtual machines through only one piece of physical hardware. This method of server virtualization is widely used for data transfer and storage because they are the most cost-effective type of server to run.

4. File transfer protocol (FTP) server

FTP servers are used to relocate files from one computer to another. Uploaded files move from your computer to the server while downloaded files are extracted from the server onto your device. File transfer protocol also refers to the method of using a server to connect one computer to another in order to share data safely.

5. Application server

These servers connect clients to software applications through virtual server connections. This allows users to bypass downloading data to their own hardware in order to access applications. Application servers can effectively host large amounts of application data to many users at once, making them ideal for businesses.

6. File server

A file server stores data files for multiple users. They allow for faster data retrieval and saving or writing files to a computer. This is a basic type of server used commonly by organizations where lots of users need access to files that are more conveniently and safely stored on a server than a personal computer.

7. Database server

Database servers function as large storage spaces that organizations use and access to run multiple programs to meet their needs. A database server can run independently of any database architecture.

8. Mail server

A mail server stores and delivers mail for clients through email service platforms. Because mail servers are set up to continually connect to a network, individual users can access their email without running any systems through their own devices.

9. Print server

A print server connects remotely to local computers to print through a network. These servers give businesses the ability to use a single printer to serve an entire department. Some printers even come with their own built-in server ready to join a network once they're installed in an office area.

10. Domain name system (DNS) server

These servers transform readable computer domain names into computer language IP addresses. The DNS server takes search data from a user and finds the requested address to deliver to the client device.

11. Collaboration server

When work needs to be shared across multiple users, a collaboration server makes it easy to connect. These servers allow you to share and store files, applications, and other large amounts of data.

12. Gaming server

Large gaming networks use servers to connect users from around the world. These servers host multi-player online games.

13. Monitoring and management server

Monitoring and management servers function in several capacities. First, they record and track digital transactions and receive user requests. Others simply monitor and don't actively participate in user operations. Monitoring servers are responsive to network administrators who survey network health to check for threats or bugs in the system.