what exactly is a server?

[johnhacker]

i have some idea what they are, but not sure, what are they used for, how much better are they compared to normal desktops? what's specifically makes a server a server?

 

[benjamit]

i think any modern computer these days can be used as a server
it just depends on the amount of traffic and how much up time you need from your server
server specific h/w is designed to up 24/7

 

[johnhacker]

i thought it was like a super computer with multi processors, and tons of ram and raid controllers for high capacity hard drives. i wish i had that....(well, rather have the money to BUILD that)

 

[Barrak]

EDIT Many computer stores/companys call machines with dual procesors, SCSI, High end ram , servers because that is what they are normaly used for.What defines a server is not so much what componets go into it as what you use it for. Servers are a centralized point to store files, and to run programs from. It is also used to store user information and run authentication services. My desktop (gaming machine) at home is MUCH more powerful then my server. Hope this helps

 

[Noriaki]

The software it runs make a computer a server, and the taks it performs.

High-end servers will have that sort of stuff, but I have a server sitting in my room that is just a little box that used to be my main PC.

 

[splice]

Servers are just that. They server content (data) to clients which connect to the server and request data. As far as hardware in concered any computer can be a server. It's just that if you are serving huge amounts of data some setups are more optimal for the situation. Some of these include Multiple CPU's so multiple transactions can be processed at the same time (in parallel). Lot's of low latency ECC RAM, so you have disk caching down to a bare minimum with high reliablity. SCSI drives in a RAID configuration, mirroring of data is important for data integerity. Lot's of bi-directional bandwith. etc.

 

[johnhacker]

o well, we should create a name for super computers like that! how about.....

 

[Stormblade]

The term Server is used to describe both hardware and software, however, in both cases it is defined in terms of it's function. A Server does just that. Serves. A File Server is something that allows files to be served up. So say 100+ people can grab that same file. Etc Etc.

 

[Maiora]

A server is also someone that puts food on your table and takes payment for it!

Maiora

 

[JJ8]

So johnhacker, do you hack much?

 

[LuNoTiCK]

Maybe he wants to hack ur server JJ8.
j/k