You’ll hear the word “server” floating around the internet in the context of programs, games, and more. But what is a server? Even if you feel far removed from the inner workings of electronics, it doesn’t hurt to have a solid understanding of the tech we use on a day-to-day basis.
A server is a device or program that provides a service to another device or program. Servers can be physical or virtual. Their ultimate goal is to share, receive, and store data. We use servers to do things like access the Internet, our email, and files ‘in the cloud’.
Let’s take a closer look at what a server is, how it works, and examples of different types of servers.
What is a Server?
A server can take many forms, but ultimately its function is to share information with other computers. You can think of servers like large storage units or filing cabinets that hold a bunch of information.
Unlike physical forms of storage, servers can distribute the information they contain very quickly — whether that’s to someone else in the room or to another user across the world. Although you may not be aware of it, you connect with servers every day as you use your computer, check your email, and browse the internet.
How Does a Server Work?
When you type an address into your web browser’s search bar or click on a link, your computer then communicates with the server hosting that website to bring it to your screen.
That’s why sometimes you’ll try to access a website and receive a notice that the server is down. A server needs to be functioning properly in order to transmit the website’s information to you.
Server Software Explained
Server software is the software installed on a server that allows it to transmit information. It’s the underlying power of the server, and without it the server can’t function. There are many different types of server software, including:
- Application server software
- Web server software
- File server software
- Database server software
Each of these works on a variety of different servers, and this list is by no means exhaustive.
Physical vs. Virtual Servers
A physical server usually looks exactly like a computer, though it’s much larger than your average desktop PC or laptop. Physical servers have extensive internal hardware, and they’re typically used by businesses for high-powered activities.
The main advantage of a physical server is that they tend to work better than virtual ones. While this might not matter as much on a server that isn’t expected to hold or transmit a lot of information, it’s a big deal for large companies that are relying on their server for a host of functions. This is not only due to the size of the company, but the fact that all of its hardware is directly connected to a server.
One downside to a physical server is that it may suffer from outages more often because it’s usually located in the place of business itself. If the power goes down, the server goes down. This means that even those far from the space experiencing the outage can’t access the data. In the case that a server is completely lost, restoring that data requires backups.
A virtual server, on the other hand, exists as software. End users can’t tell if they’re interacting with a physical or virtual server, but there’s certainly a difference.
Virtual servers are becoming more and more popular for numerous reasons. For one thing, they’re often easier to manage than physical servers, especially because they’re much easier to outsource. Without ever having to be at the location of the business, companies can hire experts to set up and run their servers. This also means that companies can fall back on these workers when things go wrong and when servers need maintenance.
It’s also much easier to change a virtual server when you need to. Installing more storage on a physical server can be an arduous process that requires specialized labor, but a virtual server is built to be very scalable.
Lastly, the downtime can be more minimal when things go wrong, and it’s easier to back up a virtual server than a physical one.
If you or your business needs a server, it’s very important to consider the pros and cons of virtual vs. physical and decide which is right for you. While virtual is becoming the more popular option of the two, there are some disadvantages to consider. It’s also important to remember that one physical server can host a lot of virtual ones.
The Different Types of Physical Servers
There are three major types of physical servers.
The first is a tower server. These look like tower PCs, but they’re significantly more expensive. Tower servers are best for handling a lot of small information, so most companies who utilize these tend to have under twenty employees.
Blade servers are powerful, but they run hot and produce a lot of noise. Using a blade server requires the ability to keep them cool, which requires a lot of water and poses an environmental problem. They do save space, however, as they’re essentially a stripped-down computer with only the parts essential to running a server.
Then there’s rack servers. These are more expensive than tower servers, but they conserve space and contain an inbuilt cooling system. This allows them to run at powerful speeds without overheating. They’re often the most popular choice in dedicated data centers that have a lot of servers to keep track of and maintain because of their convenience and high performance.
What Are Examples of Servers?
Most people who use computers regularly are familiar with servers, even if they don’t necessarily know how. Microsoft Windows is one of the largest examples, allowing the computer’s operating system to run and respond to user requests.
Google operates up to a million servers around the world (with the exact number unknown) that help and send receive information on the world’s most popular search engine.
Every business with an intranet has a server that stores all of that information and the shared files people can access from different devices.
What Are the Different Types of Servers?
The right type of server for you depends on your needs. Let’s take a look at the different types of servers.
Web Servers
Web servers are used every day. They host data across the internet or intranet and allow people to connect to websites. When you type a website address in, you’re requesting information from the server which then responds to you to allow you to access a website.
File Servers
File servers are also one of the most common types that people use every day. They store and distribute files. This also makes it very easy to back up files on one server so that if the data is ever lost, it can be restored.
Print Servers
A print server allows a printer to accept requests from multiple devices, rather than having it attached to one specific computer. This is great for workplaces or homes that have a lot of people that need to print, allowing them to send the request from their own phone or computer.
It’s not unusual for larger printers to come with their own server so you don’t even need to set this up.
Application Servers
Application servers are usually used to run apps that have a lot of people from different locations using them.
Mail servers, for example, are a very common type of application server. They receive and store emails for users so clients can access their emails on many different devices.
Sometimes, devices will require that the server be specifically set up before you can use email on them. Those with older phones will remember having to put in specific settings to connect to an email server before it would work.
A Guide to Selecting the Right Server
If you need a server for your business, you might be wondering where to start so you can select the right one. Here are factors you need to consider.
Budget
Before buying a server, you need to calculate a realistic budget so you’re aware of what you can afford. A server that doesn’t handle a lot of data or is offline sometimes is one thing, but a server that runs 24/7 will cost significantly more.
Functionality
Different types of servers do different things. A file server, for example, is not going to transmit information about a website to a user — that’s what a web server does!
Before deciding which kind of server to implement, you really need to understand its primary function.
It will also help you understand how big you need the server to be. If you have a lot of data that you need to store, you’re going to need more hardware or software.
Physical vs. Virtual
Once you know exactly what you need the server to do, you need to consider if you want a physical server or a virtual one. This is crucial because of the advantages and disadvantages of each. Whichever one you go for can have a huge impact on achieving your goals.
An important aspect of physical servers is their location. Servers are large and noisy, so if you plan on having them at your place of business, you need to make sure you have adequate space and that the noise won’t be disrupting your employees’ workflow. This is, however, the more inexpensive option.
Otherwise, you can choose to host your physical server at a data center. Although it’s more expensive, it also means that there are always experts on hand to maintain the server.
You should also consider the possibility of scaling the data in the future. If you’re going to need to up what the server can handle, virtual servers are usually the wise choice.
Putting It All Together
The most important thing to do is educate yourself on the various types of servers (including the difference between virtual and physical) and calculate a realistic budget.
With these factors in mind and the business’s needs above all else, you should be able to find the right server for you.
In the end, if you’re still struggling to wrap your head around some of the specifics, then you can get a virtual server and outsource the building and maintenance. There’s a huge reason that those virtual servers are becoming more popular as time goes on.