Looking at Different Types of Servers


Assuming that your network will require one or more dedicated servers, you should consider which types of servers the network needs. In some cases, a single server computer can fill one or more of these roles. Whenever possible, try to limit each server computer to a single server function.

File servers

File servers provide centralized disk storage that can be conveniently shared by client computers on the network. The most common task of a file server is to store shared files and programs. For example, the members of a small workgroup can use disk space on a file server to store their Microsoft Office documents.

File servers must ensure that two users don't try to update the same file at the same time. The file servers do this by locking a file while a user updates the file so that other users can't access the file until the first user finishes. For document files (for example, word processing or spreadsheet files), the whole file is locked. For database files, the lock can be applied just to the portion of the file that contains the record or records being updated.

Print servers

Sharing printers is one of the main reasons that many small networks exist. Although it isn't often necessary to do so, you can dedicate a server computer for use as a print server, whose sole purpose is to collect information being sent to a shared printer by client computers and print it in an orderly fashion.

  • A single computer may double as both a file server and a print server, but performance is better if you use separate print and file server computers.

  • With an inexpensive inkjet printer running about $100 or less, just giving each user his own printer is tempting. However, you get what you pay for. Rather than buy a cheap inkjet printer for each user, you may be better off buying one good laser printer and sharing it.

Web servers

A Web server is a server computer that runs software that enables the computer to host an Internet Web site. The two most popular Web server programs are Microsoft IIS (Internet Information Services) and Apache, an open-source Web server program managed by the Apache Software Foundation.

Mail servers

A mail server is a server computer that handles the network's e-mail needs. It's configured with e-mail server software, such as Microsoft Exchange Server. Your mail-server software must be compatible with your e-mail program; Exchange Server, for example, is designed to work with Microsoft Outlook, the e-mail client software that comes with Microsoft Office.

Database servers

A database server is a server computer that runs database software, such as Microsoft SQL Server 2005. Database servers are usually used along with customized business applications, such as accounting or marketing systems.




Networking For Dummies
Networking For Dummies
ISBN: 0470534052
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 254
Authors: Doug Lowe

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