different types of servers
Different Types of Servers
The word 'server' refers to a specialized computer or hardware on which the server software works and provides services to other computers or clients. This article throws light on different types of servers available in the market, these days.
- Server Platform: Server platform is the fundamental hardware or software for a system which acts as an engine that drives the server. It is often used synonymously with an operating system.
- Application Server: Also known as a type of middleware, it occupies a substantial amount of computing region between database servers and the end user, and is commonly used to connect the two.
- Audio/Video Server: It provides multimedia capabilities to websites by helping the user to broadcast streaming multimedia content.
- Chat Server: It serves the users to exchange data in an environment similar to Internet newsgroup which provides real-time discussion capabilities.
- Fax Server: It is one of the best options for organizations that seek minimum incoming and outgoing telephone resources, but require to fax actual documents.
- FTP Server: It works on one of the oldest of the Internet services, the file transfer protocol. It provides a secure file transfer between computers while ensuring file security and transfer control.
- Groupware Server: It is a software designed that enables the users to work together, irrespective of the location, through the Internet or a corporate intranet and to function together in a virtual atmosphere.
- IRC Server: It is an ideal option for those looking for real-time discussion capabilities. Internet Relay Chat comprises different network servers that enable the users to connect to each other through an IRC network.
- List Server: It provides a better way of managing mailing lists. The server can be either open interactive discussion for the people or a one-way list that provides announcements, newsletters or advertising.
- Mail Server: It transfers and stores mails over corporate networks through LANs, WANs and across the Internet.
- News Server: It serves as a distribution and delivery source for many public news groups, approachable over the USENET news network.
- Proxy Server: It acts as a mediator between a client program and an external server to filter requests, improve performance and share connections.
- Telnet Server: It enables the users to log on to a host computer and execute tasks as if they are working on a remote computer.
- Virtual Servers: A virtual server is just like a physical computer because it is committed to an individual customer's demands, can be individually booted and maintains privacy of a separate computer. Basically, the distance among shared and dedicated (hosting) servers is reduced providing freedom to other customers, at a less cost. Now, it has become omnipresent in the data center.
- Web Server: It provides static content to a web browser by loading a file from a disk and transferring it across the network to the user's web browser. This exchange is intermediated by the browser and the server, communicating using HTTP.