Servers

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Servers are used for data storage, file sharing and connectivity between in-network users. We use servers every time we log onto the Internet. We send our request to view a certain page, the server retrieves the data, and we are sent our request.

Servers are at the heart of almost every big business these days. Each computer in a network needs access to communal files, as well as storage space, so there is a mainframe server or group of servers that holds the company's proprietary information. Without servers, we would have no way to communicate or share information with each other.

To communicate with a server or group of servers, a workstation must have compatible software installed that will communicate with the software the server is running. For instance, to log onto the Internet, we have to have internet-ready software installed on our laptops of desktops. The best servers for business will be those that offer a balance of speed of data transmission, security, and data storage capacities. Servers can also be dedicated servers, assigned one task and one task only. Examples include a mail server, application server, or hosting server.

Since businesses rely more and more on their servers to stay up and running, it's vital that these servers be both flexible and able to be upgraded quickly to allow more user access. Not all servers are huge mainframes, however. Anyone can run a server. If you have a large webpage and need more space than your hard drive allows, you can run your own, personal server to allow others to access your site.