What is Server

Server: What is it?

A server can be defined as a computer program or a device that receives and responds to requests made by another program, called the ‘client’. Based upon the client-server model, a server distributes computation over numerous processes or devices. The server provides different services, such as sharing data or resources among multiple clients and performing computation for a client. Multiple servers can be used by a single client and a single server can serve multiple clients.  A client process can run through a network with a same or different device. Servers can be used for numerous purposes and they are recognized by the service they provide. For example, servers that underpin and run gaming applications are known as gaming servers.

Server Explained:

The Internet is a large collection of data kept alive and coordinated by servers. However, these devices incorporate hardware much more advanced and powerful, much like a computer, which in turn makes them more expensive. Such a device can be tens of thousands of euros expensive and communicate with several thousands of computers. Data can be stored and retrieved from them. If you download or upload something today, you generally access a server which contains the data you need or that stores your data. Through these devices, they can access the Internet, pages, pictures, videos, articles and similar documents. Furthermore, it is a platform for the online games world as well as all known social networks. These devices are basically super computers spread all over the world.

There are some whole farms with hundreds of servers owned by private companies. These servers Working in cool dust-proof rooms and halls. They work non-stop for four and twenty hours, but are also regularly maintained by trained personnel. The installation and assembly of this super computer is very well paid. In the end it is striking that the internet without this super computer is not what it is.

Most often, the client-server systems are commonly recognized with the request-response model. In the request-response model, a request by the client is sent to the server. The server executes the request and responds to the client along with a result or acknowledgement. A computer known as ‘server-class hardware’ signifies that it is designed to run servers on it. Large computing clusters consist of many basic, interchangeable server components.

How Does a Server Work?

A server serves data for clients and the communication between a client and server is in the form of request and response. This is distinctly different from the peer-to-peer model in which the relation is based on ‘on-demand reciprocation’. According to the ‘on-demand reciprocation’ concept, a server can be any computerized program used by another process to share a resource. The process that uses the server is the client. Therefore, servers can be hosted by any general purpose computer connected to a network. For instance, a web server can run on any computer or laptop which is capable of hosting a web server.

There are other client-server designs such as ‘publish-subscribe pattern.’ In publish-subscribe pattern, the client subscribes to specified types of messages by registering with a publish-subscribe server and then through initial registration that may be done by request-response. Matching messages are forwarded to the clients, without any additional requests after this. Just like in request-response, the server pushes messages to the clients instead of messages being pulled from the server by the client.

Applications of Server

A server distributes network resources and shares data. One of its technical capabilities is that, it can serve its own computer programs dependent on the situation. For instance, an application server allows its usage for the users within the network. This does not require the user to install a copy of applications on their computers. These servers could run on any local network without having to be part of the World Wide Web. This is one of the reasons, why the whole structure of the internet is based upon the client-server model. Every activity of an internet user calls for one or more interactions with one or more servers.    

Not only is it important for a server to be reachable around the clock, but values such as ping and latency are also important in rating quality. In addition, as an operator of one or more servers, you should also attach importance to security. However, this does not include the processing of the server itself, but security is ensured by third party software or hardware. With an HP server, you can always be sure that they are compatible with third-party products.