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What Is a Server?

5 min to read

A server is a computer that gives resources/services to other computers over a network. These other computers are known as clients, and after receiving the resources from a server, said clients can share resources via a central hub. Data and apps are two common resources shared via servers.

You need servers for data exchange; they’re also crucial to maximize collaboration and communicate effectively. Pretty much every modern IT infrastructure uses servers, and they can take various forms – including cloud computing platforms and file-sharing.

Pro Tip:
Decide if your server can handle your future growth and business demands; you need a scalable option to avoid the pain of switching later.
Key Takeaways:
  • Servers are essential
    • You need servers to use online services and share data/other resources, whether you’re a website or app.
  • Choose wisely
    • Not all servers are created equally; look at flexibility, speed, needs, and budget.
  • Learn about the benefits servers offer
    • Security, scalability, data centralization, and collaboration are considerations for choosing servers.
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What Is a Server?

How do other computers connect to a server?

Computers typically use TCP/IP and similar network protocols to connect to a server. After a client sends a request to the server, the server processes this and responds. Once these processes have occurred, the client can access the server’s resources/services. 

Pro Tip:
Your network must be secure and configured to stop unauthorized access. Make sure that you’ve covered these bases. 

Where are servers stored?

Some of the locations in which servers can be stored are: 

  • On-Premise: On-premise servers are hosted within an organization’s own facilities (e.g., offices). While businesses can directly control these servers, they must maintain them and have a dedicated space. Users can access the server remotely, but they’ll need a code; many companies use an external authenticator for employees working from home. 

  • Colocation: These are in third-party data centers where space is rented. You should consider colocations if customization and cost-effectiveness are both important to you. 

  • Cloud: Cloud servers don’t require physical hardware and are hosted on virtual servers by a cloud provider; they have fewer customization options than on-premise servers.

Factor control needs, technical expertise, and budget into your decision when choosing a server. 

Pro Tip:
Think about how much your business’s needs will fluctuate, and consider how much scalability you need. You should also consider cost-effectiveness; some servers are more expensive to set up than others. 

What are the different types of servers?

The most common types of servers you’ll encounter are: 

  • Web Servers: These typically host websites and deliver them to users on the internet. Hocoos is one example. 

  • File Servers: Used for file storage and management. Depending on configuration settings, users can share these files across a network. 

  • Email Servers: Used to send, receive, and store emails. Outlook and Gmail are two examples. 

  • Database Servers: Used for storing and managing large structured data volumes. 

  • Application Servers: These are utilized for running applications on a network accessed by several users.

  • Cloud Severs: These virtual servers provide on-demand services and are hosted on a cloud.

You might use multiple servers in your business, and your choice will depend on your specific requirements. Web servers are a must for running websites, while you’ll use cloud servers for a broader range of functions. 

What are the benefits of using a server? 

Some of the reasons businesses and individuals use servers are:

  • Centralized data storage/access: Servers are used for managing and sharing files. 

  • Collaboration: Change permissions to let multiple team members simultaneously work on the same apps or files; for example, teams can collaborate on the same Google Doc. 

  • Security: Configure your servers for maximum security levels, especially if you have sensitive information. 

  • Scalability: Expand servers to handle increasing needs and shrink them if demand drops. 

  • Reliability: Use servers for their uptime/availability. 

Choose servers based on how important each need is to you, and think about different team members’ requirements. 

Pro Tip:
Unexpected data loss and hardware failure are unfortunate realities that you must protect yourself against; backing up your server data will go a long way toward ensuring data protection. 

How do you choose the right server for your needs?

The server you choose will depend on various factors, such as: 

  • Budget: Consider how much you can invest in a server, keeping in mind that price isn’t the only factor to consider, as lower-cost options might not meet your speed requirements.  

  • Performance: Consider how much storage and memory you need for your tasks. Processing power is another thing to think about. 

  • Storage requirements: You’ll need to understand roughly how much data you need to store and whether your server can grow with you.

  • Security: Look at the server’s security features and assess how much security you need to protect your data. 

  • Technical expertise: Some servers (e.g. on-premises) are more complex; you must think about your level of technical expertise and whether managed services are better.  

If you don’t know where to start, consult with an IT professional before making your decision. You can also analyze how each server’s features compare to each other. 

Conclusion

Servers are used within most digital infrastructures, such as web browsing, file-sharing, and running apps. Understanding the different servers and their roles is crucial for making more informed IT infrastructure decisions, and you should think about them both as a business or an individual. 

If you want more success in an interconnected world, look at different servers and consider your needs. Factor budget, security, and scalability potential into your decision.

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