Server

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We all use a server or servers, every time we connect to the Internet or a network data center. A "server" can refer to either the server software that carries out tasks, or the hardware that holds the software. Server software tends to be dedicated to performing business applications. Businesses use servers to store data from a number of users onto one central computer. Server farms are collection of servers that support a large system.

A mail server allows mail to be sent from one machine to another. A web server allows users to connect to the Internet, and an FTP server allows users to share files using File Transfer Protocol. Small and medium sized businesses will likely use a couple of servers, including a backup server. The 1U PowerEdge 750 by Dell is a good example of a single-function rack server for low-end web applications. Ultima servers also work well for this purpose.

File servers are used because individual computers have limited storage space and transactional capabilities. It wouldn't be feasible to give everyone in a network the same software and copies of every file, even if they could all communicate with each other. Therefore, these are stored on a central computer, and this computer and the individual computers that access it are called a LAN, or local area network.

Servers used to be larger mainframes, but they have been decreasing in size with the development of microprocessors. Smaller Linux servers or Windows servers are becoming more cost-effective for businesses. Small servers are currently leading the server market, with sales rising every year. Data storage is becoming the most attractive feature of servers now, as opposed to security and reliability.