Server – a computer or computer program which manages access to a centralized resource or

service in a network.

What Is the Purpose of a Computer Server?

A server is a computer used in a network and which provides a service to a client. Servers
usually have more processing power, memory and storage than client computers. The client is
the computer that is not acting as the server, at least at that point in time, and is requesting
information or a service from the server. Understanding what a server is involves an
understanding of what networks are. When computers are connected in some physical (or
wireless) way and sharing services or information, this is referred to as a computer network. In a
computer network, there are two or more participants where at least one of them is acting as a
client and one is acting as the server.

Servers Relative to Networks

A network can be very large, called a WAN (Wide Area Network) spanning the globe, or very
small as in a home or small office environment. The Internet is the largest WAN, and it depends
on servers to provide connectivity and other services as well as access to shared information and
applications. There are many types, categories and functions of a server, but they are always a
component of a network, and networks always have at least one client and one server.

Peer-to-Peer Networks

In a peer-to-peer network, each workstation (computer) serves as both client and server. The
server is the computer that in that particular interaction is providing services to the client, which
in that same interaction is the computer that is accessing the server's information or services. In
this type of network, each computer relies on each of the other computers to provide and share its
information and services. This type of network is usually only used in small offices or in the
home.

Client/Server Networks

In a client/server network, there is a dedicated server, which has no other function except to
provide its service. In this type of network, the workstation computers are the clients. There can
be more than one server providing different services, but the servers are not used as
workstations. The client/server network is the most commonly used type of network.

General Server Services

The services provided by one or more servers could be as a print server, allowing and monitoring
access to a printer or printers; an application server, which runs application software such as
word processing or a database; a file server, which stores files for access by all of the client
computers; and servers that allow and provide access to other networks, including the Internet.
Specialized Servers

Some of the most common specialized types of servers include DNS Servers, Web Servers and
Mail Servers. DNS stands for Domain Name Service, and it is a server computer that holds a
database of Domain Names (the human-language names used on the Web) and translates this
human language name into a number address that the computer can understand and use to access
the particular website. Web Servers are computers that supply access to websites, and Mail
Servers provide access to email, including sending and receiving, storage and other mail
services.

DNS - A domain name server (also called DNS) is the Internet's equivalent to a phone book.

Domain – While the term "domain" is often used synonymously with "domain name," it also has
a definition specific to local networks.

A domain contains a group of computers that can be accessed and administered with a common
set of rules. For example, a company may require all local computers to be networked within the
same domain so that each computer can be seen from other computers within the domain or
located from a central server. Setting up a domain may also block outside traffic from accessing
computers within the network, which adds an extra level of security.

While domains can be setup using a variety of networking software, including applications from
Novell and Oracle, Windows users are most likely familiar with Windows Network Domains.
This networking option is built into Windows and allows users to create or join a domain. The
domain may or may not be password-protected. Once connected to the domain, a user may view
other computers within the domain and can browse the shared files and folders available on the
connected systems.

Windows XP users can browse Windows Network Domains by selecting the "My Network
Places" option on the left side of an open window. You can create a new domain by using the
Network Setup Wixard. Mac users using Mac OS X 10.2 or later can also connect to a Windows
Network by clicking the "Network" icon on the left side of an open window. This will allow you
to browse local Macintosh and Windows networks using the SMB protocol.
DFS Root - DFS root is an object in the Microsoft Active Directory system used for sharing files
and folders across network. DFS root is the starting point of the DFS namespace.

IP address – The "IP" part of IP address stands for "Internet Protocol." The "address" part refers
to a unique number that gets linked to all online activity you do...somewhat like a return address
on a letter you'd send out. (All this happens in milliseconds.) That's the end of today's lesson. At
least it should be. Because from this point on, it gets complicated fast. And confusing.
Information technology (IT) is crazy stuff and it's best left to those who have to deal with
computers and networks. Still, we're all on the Internet these days, and it seems we're always
connected through our personal computers, laptops or mobile devices. And every time you go on
the Internet, an IP address is right there, working for you. And with so much obscure information
(and misinformation) out there about the IP address, it's helpful to know the basics.

Active Directory Domain Services – Is a server role in Active Directory that allows admins to
manage and store information about resources from a network, as well as application data, in a
distributed database. AD DS can also help admins manage a network's elements (computers and
end users) and reorder them into a custom hierarchy.

The structure of the hierarchy includes an AD forest, the forest's domains and organizational
units in those domains. AD DS integrates security by authenticating logons and controlling who
has access to directory resources.

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network management protocol used to