Today, in this post, we are going to discuss different types of server computer, such as web server, application server, database server, print server, and mail server. Typically, a server is a computer or hardware device that stores data and provides services to the client’s computer.
Definition of Server Computer
A server computer is a server that is connected to one or more clients through the internet or a local area network (LAN) to access the resources. The server computer stores different types of resources such as text, images, video, and files. A server can host various types of application software, internet games, and websites.
The application can be ERP software, accounting software, budget management software, library management software, financial software, etc. In a data center, a server is a high-configuration computer or storage that runs services to serve the workstations.
If you want to share something or give access to the resources to workstations or automate your office, then you need a server. Typically, the workstations can be connected to a server through a local area network or the internet.
Types of Server Computer
There are different types of server computers, which are used for different purposes such as education, business, and office. The most common servers are as follows:
- Web Server
- Application Server
- Database Server
- Mail Server
- DNS Server
- Print Server
- Virtual Server
- Proxy Server
1. Web Server
A web server is a types of server computer that is used to host a website’s files, such as images, videos, PDFs, fonts, HTML files, CSS, and JavaScript. The main purpose of a web server is to receive the client’s request and display the HTML web pages on the client’s browser through the Internet.
Example of a web server
Nowadays, the most popular web servers are the Apache web server, the IIS server, Nginx, and LiteSpeed.
How does a web server work?
Initially, clients send HTTP requests for HTML web pages through the internet, and web servers respond to the requests and show the webpages on the client’s browser.
In addition, if you want to host a static website, then you need a static web server, and if you want to host a dynamic application, then you need a dynamic web server. A dynamic web server means you need an additional web server called an application server.
Why Use a Web Server?
The web server is mainly used to host a website, and it plays an important role in connecting to users through the internet. If you want to make accessible of your website accessible worldwide, a web server is a must.
In addition, a web server can be used for an FTP server, sending and receiving emails, and storing web application software. The web server ensures that your application and website are always accessible to people anytime, anywhere.
2. Application Server
An application server is a type of server computer that is designed to host web-based dynamic applications. It is also known as an app server or web application server.
The main aim of an application server is to host, handle multiple dynamic requests, execute business logic, manage sessions, and deliver applications to clients over a network.
How does an application server work?
First of all, the web server will receive a request from a client user. The web server will check the request. If the request is for dynamic content, the server sends the request to the application server.
Then, the application server will take necessary action, such as executing business logic, processing the data (from the database server), and sending the output to the web server. The client will see the results in the form of HTML web pages.
Example of an Application Server
Examples of application servers are Apache Tomcat, Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), IBM WebSphere, Oracle WebLogic Server, and Nginx Unit (an Open-source web application server). It is noted that the above servers support various programming languages such as Java, ASP. NET, and PHP.
Use of an Application server
Finally, an application server is used to host dynamic web-based applications such as Social Media websites, Email services, ERP, and e-commerce websites. It plays an important role in ensuring security, and transactions are executed accurately for software applications.
3. Database Server
A database server is a type of server computer that is used to store and manage databases. It is used to host one or more databases for different purposes. It is noted that only authorized users can access the database server.
Typically, a database server has two sides: one is the software side, and the other is the hardware side. On the software side, the database server is the back-end part of the database application. And on the hardware side, the database server is a highly configured computer system, which is used to store and manage the database.
Example of a database server
Here are some common examples of database servers:
Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS): MySQL, PostgreSQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle Database, and MariaDB database server.
NoSQL Database Systems: MongoDB, Amazon DynamoDB, Apache Cassandra, and Redis.
4. Mail Server
A mail server is a server that is used to store, send, and receive email over the Internet. The mail server is also referred to as an e-mail server. A mail server can send and receive (outgoing and incoming) emails from the same or other mail servers using standard email protocols such as SMTP, POP3, and IMAP.
- SMTP servers: SMTP means Simple Mail Transfer Protocol.
- POP3 servers: POP3 stands for Post Office Protocol version 3.
- IMAP servers: IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol.
The SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used to send outgoing emails, and the IMAP and POP3 protocols are used to receive and store incoming emails from client computers.
Example of Email Service
The best email services are Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, iCloud, and Zoho. Gmail is a free and web-based email service provided by Google. Users can easily send, receive, and organize emails.
Server Addresses of Gmail are:
- Incoming Mail Server (IMAP): imap.gmail.com
- Incoming Mail Server (POP3): pop.gmail.com
- Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP): smtp.gmail.com
5. DNS Computer Server
A DNS (Domain Name System) server is a type of application server that’s used to convert hostnames into Internet Protocol (IP addresses.
The DNS server contains one or more domain names, and each domain has a unique public IP address. If a web server hosts multiple web applications, then the DNS server can add multiple domain names using that web server’s IP address. In that case, the web server must be configured using port numbers.
Example of DNS:
For example, the hostname abc.com is converted into the IP address (103.105.200.112). It’s easier to remember a domain name or hostname rather than an IP address.
Best DNS Server:
The most popular DNS server is as follows:
- Cloudflare: Speedy and ensures privacy
- Google Public DNS: Speedy and ensures reliability
- Quad9: Ensure security and block malicious sites
- OpenDNS: Content filtering and parental controls
- Comodo Secure DNS: Enhanced security or content filtering.
In addition, you should consider a DNS server that provides high speed & performance, ensures privacy & security, and ability to perform content filtering.
6. Print Server
A print server is a type of server computer that connects printers to client computers over a network. The print server is also referred to as a network printer. A print server can connect multiple computers and allows them to complete their print-related jobs without moving the files and users.
It is a centralized printing system, where multiple requests come from clients, print server allocates the requests to the relevant printers. Typically, a print server may be used in small and large office networks or home networks.
There are two types of print servers: wireless and wired.
Wireless print servers: This type of print server uses a Wi-Fi connection to connect computers and servers to accomplish printing.
Wired print servers: Here, the computers and printers are connected directly to a router via an Ethernet cable.
Why use a print server?
Here are some key reasons why a print server is used.
- Centralized printer management
- Enhanced print job efficiency
- Enhanced security
- Cost-effective solution
- Scalability and flexibility
7. Virtual Server Computer
A virtual server, also known as a virtual machine (VM), is a software-based partition of a physical server. One virtual server converts into several virtual machines so multiple users can share its processing power. The server acts as an independent server and runs its own operating system.
Virtual servers share resources such as hardware and software with other operating systems (OS) to host multiple applications. The term virtual server is located at someone else’s location, which is shared and accessible by authorized application owners.
Simply put, one physical server resource (such as RAM, Hard Disk, and Processor) can be allocated into several virtual machines that can run different operating systems.
Why use a virtual server?
The use of virtual servers is cost-effective, simplified, time and resource-saving, easy to configure, and ensures availability in case of disaster recovery.
Nowadays, virtual servers are the most popular hosting platforms for software and website hosting. Most organizations are using virtual servers to reduce the hardware cost and optimize the hardware resources.
8. Proxy Server
A proxy server is a server computer that acts as an intermediary between the client and the server. To access the resources (such as web pages and files), the client directs requests to the proxy instead of requesting them from a server. A proxy server processes the request, filters the content, scans for viruses and malware, and finally displays the contents on the client’s web browser.
The proxy server provides user privacy, ensures network security by hiding the real IP address, filters malicious websites, and can access geographically blocked or restricted websites.
Features of the Server Computer
The main features or functions of a server are storage, access, and managing the data files through the computer network. The other features of a server computer are mentioned as follows:
- It is a high-configuration computer.
- One server can connect to multiple workstations.
- Able to transfer data and backup.
- The operating system and software were updated on the server.
- The server can process the client requests.
- It ensures the security of data and resources from unauthorized access.
- It ensures the availability of data and resources.
Components of a Server Computer
The main components or parts of a server are the motherboard, processors, memory, hard drives, network connections, graphics cards, and power supply.
Conclusion
Finally, a server is a computer system that stores resources and serves them to another system or the client computers. A server is essential to store data and host applications, and provide services to the user.
In this article, we have discussed different types of server computer. Hope the article may help you gather some information about server computers.