A Complete Guide to Servers

Servers are the backbone of our digital infrastructure. Whether you’re browsing a website, sending an email, or streaming a video, servers are working behind the scenes to make it all happen. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the fundamentals of servers, their types, and their essential role in modern computing.

What is a server?

A server is a powerful computer or system designed to provide various resources, data, services, or programs to other computers, called clients, over a network. Essentially, any computer that shares resources with client machines operates as a server.

Servers handle demanding tasks such as delivering web pages, managing email traffic, and hosting applications. Unlike standard personal computers, servers are built to manage heavy workloads, handle multiple user requests simultaneously, and maintain high reliability and uptime.

Physical servers are equipped with advanced processors, significant memory, and substantial storage capacity to support their performance. On the software side, they run specialized operating systems and applications that efficiently manage network resources and respond to client requests.

In addition to physical servers, virtual servers use virtualization technology to partition a single physical server into multiple virtual machines. Each virtual machine operates independently with its own operating system and applications, optimizing resource utilization and offering cost savings by running several virtual servers on one physical server.

How does a server work?

Servers are essential for enabling communication and data exchange within a network. To function effectively, a server must be configured to listen and respond to client requests through a network connection. 

For example, Microsoft’s Windows Server operating system includes built-in functionality to handle client requests, and additional roles or services can be installed to expand the types of requests the server can manage.  

When a client, such as a computer or mobile device, needs data or functionality from a server, it sends a request over the network. The server then processes this request and responds with the necessary information. This interaction follows the client-server model, also known as the request and response model. 

During this process, the server performs several tasks, including verifying the identity of the requester, checking if the client has the necessary permissions, and formatting the response appropriately.

This what happens when you enter a website URL into your web browser:

1. Protocol Identification: The web browser first identifies the protocol part of the URL, such as HTTP or HTTPS, and establishes the communication rules between the browser and the server.
2. Server Name Resolution: The browser then focuses on the server name part of the URL. It uses a Domain Name System (DNS) server to translate the human-readable domain name into the server’s IP address.  
3. File Retrieval: Finally, the URL includes the file name, which represents the specific resources needed, such as HTML files, fonts, images, etc. The server fetches these files and sends them back to the browser.

Throughout this process, the server may handle additional tasks to ensure secure and efficient communication. For example, it might authenticate the user, check permissions, and log access for monitoring and troubleshooting purposes.

Servers aren’t limited to just web hosting. They also play crucial roles in email delivery, database management, file sharing, and running applications.  

Types of servers

Servers come in various forms, each designed to handle specific tasks and provide different services within a network.  

Web servers

Web servers are among the most common types of servers in use today. They host websites and provide the necessary resources for web pages to be accessed over the Internet or an intranet. When a user enters a URL in their browser, the web server responds to the request by delivering the appropriate web pages or web-based services. Popular web servers include Apache, Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), and Nginx. 

Application servers

Application servers are designed to run applications instead of having them run on client computers. These servers are particularly useful for resource-intensive applications that need to be shared among many users. By centralizing the execution of applications, application servers reduce the need for individual clients to have high computing power and large storage capacities. 

File servers

File servers are essential for storing and managing files within a network. They allow multiple users to access and share files stored in a central location, facilitating collaboration and data management. Centralized file storage also simplifies backup processes and enhances fault tolerance, ensuring data integrity and security. 

Database servers

Data is typically stored in databases, which need to be readily accessible to multiple clients simultaneously and often require substantial disk space. Database servers are designed to meet these demands by running database management applications and handling numerous client requests efficiently. Common database server applications include Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, DB2, and Informix. 

Other popular database management systems include MySQL, known for its reliability and ease of use; MongoDB, which is favored for its flexibility and scalability with unstructured data; and PostgreSQL, recognized for its advanced features and support for complex queries. Each of these databases offers unique strengths that cater to various needs, from handling large volumes of transactions to managing big data and supporting web applications.

Proxy servers

Proxy servers act as intermediaries between clients and servers, primarily for security and efficiency purposes. When a client makes a request, the proxy server intercepts it and forwards it to the appropriate server. The server then sends its response back to the proxy, which, in turn, relays the information to the client. 

This setup ensures that direct connections between clients and servers are not necessary, adding a layer of security by anonymizing the client’s identity and filtering potential threats. 

Virtual servers

Virtual servers have revolutionized the server industry by providing a flexible and efficient way to manage resources. Unlike traditional servers that run directly on physical hardware, virtual servers exist within specialized software called a hypervisor. This hypervisor can host multiple virtual servers on a single physical machine, each operating as if it were running on its own dedicated hardware. The hypervisor allocates resources such as CPU, memory, and storage from the physical hardware to the virtual servers as needed. This allows for better resource utilization, scalability, and cost savings. 

Gaming servers

Gaming servers are the backbone of the global online gaming community. These servers host game worlds and manage the synchronization of player actions in real real-time. They also store player data and game progress, ensuring a consistent experience for users. 

Popular games like Counter-Strike, Minecraft, ARK, and Rust rely on robust gaming servers to function. Services such as ScalaCube, HostHavoc, and Cloudzy offer specialized game server hosting solutions, providing gamers with low-latency, high-performance environments to enjoy their favorite games. 

Print servers

Print servers streamline the management and distribution of printing tasks within a network. Instead of connecting a printer to each individual workstation, a single print server can handle print requests from multiple clients, centralizing the printing process. 

Modern high-end printers often come equipped with built-in print servers, eliminating the need for a separate print server. For example, in an office environment, an employee can send a print job from their computer to the print server, which then queues the job and sends it to the appropriate printer when it’s ready.

Monitoring servers

Monitoring servers play a crucial role in overseeing and managing network systems and client activities. These servers are designed to keep an eye on the health and performance of a network without interfering with the actual data transmission. 

Some of these servers passively listen to network traffic, capturing every client request and server response to provide a comprehensive view of network activity. Others may be more interactive, responding to requests from monitoring clients operated by network administrators. 

By providing real-time data and alerts, monitoring servers help maintain optimal network performance and quickly address any issues that arise.

Server operating systems

Server computers are the powerhouses of modern digital infrastructure, designed to handle extensive computational tasks, data transmission, and storage with exceptional efficiency. 

While they share some fundamental components with everyday devices like laptops and smartphones, server machines are built with significantly more powerful hardware to meet the demanding needs of multiple clients and intensive applications. Understanding the core elements of a server can help in appreciating their capability and importance.

Most servers run on powerful operating systems designed for stability, security, and performance. Popular server operating systems include various Linux distributions such as Ubuntu Server, known for its user-friendliness and strong community support; CentOS, appreciated for its enterprise-grade reliability and compatibility with Red Hat Enterprise Linux; and Debian, well-known for its stability and extensive software repositories. 

These Linux distributions are preferred due to their open-source nature, flexibility, and strong performance under heavy workloads. Additionally, some servers use Windows Server for its smooth integration with other Microsoft products and comprehensive support ecosystem.

Processor

The processor, or CPU, is the brain of the server, executing thousands of instructions per second to manage tasks and operations. Modern servers are equipped with advanced processors featuring multiple cores, allowing them to handle numerous processes simultaneously. 

High-performance CPUs are crucial for tasks ranging from simple data processing to complex computational functions required by large-scale applications and services.

RAM

Random Access Memory (RAM) is the short-term memory of a server, storing working data and machine code that the processor needs to access quickly. RAM allows servers to perform multiple instructions efficiently by providing fast read and write capabilities. 

Unlike hard drives, which are slower, RAM enables servers to execute programs and manage data more swiftly, enhancing overall performance. 

Storage

Storage in servers is essential for holding the vast amounts of data required for operating systems, applications, databases, and user files. Servers typically use a combination of traditional hard drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs), depending on the specific needs of the tasks they handle. 

For example, a database server benefits from the high-speed read and write capabilities of SSDs, whereas a file archive server may rely more on the larger capacity of HDDs. To enhance reliability and performance, servers often use a Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID). 

RAID setups combine multiple storage devices into a single system, providing better performance and data redundancy, ensuring that even if one drive fails, the server can continue to operate without data loss or significant downtime.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth is a critical factor for servers, especially those handling numerous client requests and delivering content over the Internetinternet or through internal networks like WAN (Wide Area Network) or LAN (Local Area Network). 

High bandwidth allows servers to manage and process large volumes of data transfer quickly and efficiently, ensuring timely responses to user queries and smooth operation of web services, applications, and network functions. 

Key features and usability of servers

Servers are key to organizations because they enhance the capabilities of a network by offering features such as scalability, efficiency, and business continuity to enterprise networks. 

While servers are critical for all businesses, the following are some of their fundamental features.

1. Scalability

As businesses grow, they need more resources like new machines, additional storage, faster performance, and improved remote access. It’s crucial to meet these demands without discarding existing infrastructure. Servers are designed to handle these growing needs efficiently, supporting more clients and managing increasing workloads and upgrades without disrupting operations. This capability ensures that businesses can scale seamlessly while maintaining smooth, uninterrupted service.

2. High processing power

Servers provide high processing power to underlying clients as the available compute resources add up in the client-server framework. As a result, networks can handle an increasing number of jobs without impacting performance.

3. Reliability

Servers are essential for maintaining the continuous availability of critical systems, and minimizing downtime for businesses. In a client-server setup, multiple devices work together to handle tasks. If one device fails, backup devices take over, ensuring that operations continue smoothly. This redundancy is vital for business continuity, preventing disruptions caused by hardware or network failures. 

5. Safeguard from cyberattacks

Servers are key defenders against cyber threats, protecting network devices and websites from external attacks. They authenticate each data request by verifying the IP address for any suspicious activity. If a request seems malicious, such as in the case of malware or DDoS attacks, the server can block the IP address, preventing potential harm and enhancing overall network security.

Conclusion

Servers are indispensable in modern business environments, offering unparalleled benefits in scalability, processing power, reliability, collaboration, cost savings, and security. As organizations continue to grow and digitalize, the role of servers becomes even more critical, ensuring efficient and secure network operations.