Basically, a server
is a technology solution that "serves" files, data, print, fax
resources, and more to multiple computers. Server solutions, such as
Windows Server 2008, also enable you to manage user accounts and
passwords, grant or restrict access to shared resources, automatically
back up your data, and access business information remotely.
The word "server" often refers to the specialized computer (or hardware)
that the server software runs on. The server is optimized to perform
services for other computers or “clients.” Clients can be computers as
well as printers, faxes, or other devices that connect to the server.
Together, a server and its clients compose a client/server network.
A client/server network provides routing systems and centralized access
to information and resources, stored data, and much more.
With a server, you can share files and resources, such as fax machines
and printers, in a more secure manner. For example, with a server
network, employees can access the Internet or company e-mail at the same
time.
Other definitions for a server include:
In information technology, a server is an application or device that
performs services for connected clients as part of a client-server
architecture. A server application, as defined by RFC 2616 (HTTP/1.1),
is "an application program that accepts connections in order to service
requests by sending back responses." Server computers are devices
designed to run such an application or applications, often for extended
periods of time with minimal human direction. Examples of servers
include web servers, e-mail servers, and file servers.
or
Server is an adjective in the term server operating system. A server
operating system is intended, enabled, or better able to run server
applications. The differences between the server version and the
"workstation" version of an operating system vary. Sometimes (as in the
case of Windows 2000 and Windows 2000 Server), the primary difference is
the removal of arbitrary license-dependent limits on the number of
network file share connections accepted. Some server editions include
additional server applications bundled with the operating system. Some
server applications (e.g. Microsoft IIS) impose arbitrary limits on the
number of HTTP connections they will accept, depending on whether they
are running under a server operating system or not.
