What is a server and how does it work
In this important article today, you will know what is a server and how does it work? The term server in computer technology was introduced many years ago. What is the role of the server on the Internet and why you should know about it is a fundamental question. Many times you must have seen that when we go for some work in the bank, then they tell us, whether the server is down or server error is coming.
So it simply means that it is a subject that can be important. Especially when you are associated with fields like computer science or technology. Second, if you want to host your own website, you should also get information about the server. Although this name sounds like a very technical word, but it is very easy to understand.
In this post, you have been given complete information about the server, which by reading you will know well what the server is. So let’s know what is a server and what are the types of it?
Table of contents
What is server
What is a server, a server is a computer program or device. Which provides data to other computers. It can provide data to the system on a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) over the internet. We can also consider the server as a part of the computer on the network, which manages network resources. A physical computer running a server program in a data server is also known as a server.
Now since there are many types of this, that is why their functions are also different. For example- File server – which you can also call storage device, it is dedicated to store files. Whatever data is available in the entire internet, whether it is website data, youtube videos, photos, PDF, it is all present in the file server. When you read how the server works, you will understand about it.
Some other main servers which include Web server, Mail server, App server and Database server. There are many other types of servers as well, which we will talk about below. Servers are completely dedicated. This means that they do not do any other work other than perform the server task. However, on multiple operating systems, a computer can execute several programs simultaneously.
That is to say, some machines can also be a dedicated server as well as they can be used to do other tasks.
Why server is needed
Server is a word that is always heard in the computer area. The name “Server” is derived from the word Serve which means Hindi. In fact, it serves the web page for the user upon request. The question of why a server is needed will help you a lot in understanding the server.
Suppose you want to create an online website, then to store it, you will need a place that is connected to the internet network. This place has been named Server and all websites use some kind of server.
So let’s have a look at some points that indicate the need or need of the server.
1) A server provides us with network security. When you create an individual or group account on a website, your data gets stored in the file server of that website. These servers have the right to keep that data away from any other user’s access.
2) The server is always running 24 × 7. Even if the hardware fails, in that case also it provides server services. If you talk about a personal computer, then its server automatically shut down if the power goes out. With which your data can be lost, but the servers are equipped with many power supplies. For this reason, when a power supply is stopped, its effect does not affect the normal system operation.
3) The server uses many hard drives that work in RAID configuration instead of the solitary hard disk used in PC to prevent data loss or interruptions which is why the server has higher storage capacity.
4) Server allows us to provide access to file store and many computers on the network. The server is also called the computer used in the network. A server usually has more memory, storage and processing power than a client computer.
Types of Server
Servers are of many types or types. Different servers work differently. From website hosting to security of internet networks and service of email, video, all the work is done by a server. So let’s know about the many types of servers being used today.
Web Server: What a web server is, is a server software or hardware that runs websites. It is also called computer program. Its main function is to store, process and deliver the web page to the user. It uses hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) to perform inner communication. We have already given information about what the protocol is.
Application Server: What is an application server, is a program that handles all application operations of the user’s and organization’s back-end business application or database. It is a framework where an application server is used to develop and run all the applications. There are several types such as PHP, Java and .NET framework.
Proxy Server: Also commonly known as “proxy”. It acts as a gateway between user and internet. When a client connects to a proxy server and requests a service. For example, for a web-page, it evaluates how to simplify and control the complexity of that request. It acts like a mediator between client program and external server for network connection sharing, network data filtering and data caching.
File Server: Provides space to store files primarily within a network. These files can be anything. In the server model from text document to multimedia, photos, a file server is called a computer. Because it is responsible for storing and managing data files. It has access to files from other computers of the same network.
Database Server: is a computer system whose function is to provide services related to accessing and retrieving data from the database. This is similar to a warehouse, where the website’s data and information are stored and maintained.
Mail Server: As the name itself suggests, this is a server that handles and delivers email on a network in the internet. Mail server is also called mail server transfer agent (MTA) or internet mailer. Each email sent by us passes through a series of mail servers. When you send an email, it immediately reaches another. But the reality is that there is a complex process of mail transfer.
FTP Server: Its full name is File transfer protocol, whose task is to do online file transfer. When you request a web-page on a web browser, the browser uses the same protocol to bring that file to you. FTP is a way to transfer files to any computer in the world, which is connected to the Internet.
How does the server work
Hopefully, by now you will have known to a great extent about what is a server. Whenever it comes to computer technology. So it has many concepts that are very difficult to understand. But on the contrary, how a server works is very easy to know “how server work”. So let’s have a look at how it works.
There are some steps to work out how the servers work, about which we will now know.
- Communicate to server – If you talk to the lowest level when you type the URL of a website in your browser. Like- https://nayaseekhon.com then your browser communicates with the server hosting that website. So that data can be found on your browser to display that website.
- Breaking the URL – After that the browser breaks the URL you have entered into three parts. First Protocol (HTTP) Second Server-name (www.nayaseekhon.com) Third File name (server-kya-hai)
- Converting Server-name to IP Address – Now the browser translates the server name of that website into an IP address. Every website has a unique IP address, due to which the browser can connect to a server.
- Send and Receive requests – Once the browser and server are connected, the browser sends your request to the server and asks for this web-page. All files in the server are present as HTML documents. From there your browser converts the data into a web page and after receiving the request shows it on your screen.
So hopefully, you must have understood to a great extent how a server works. This process is very fast as soon as you enter your URL, the web-page you requested is in front of you.
What does server down mean
If you work in a computer area, then you must have heard the words server down or server failed many times. So what does this mean and why is the server down? Today we will know about it. In client server architecture, a server is always responsible for serving its client. But whenever the server fails to do this, then we use such words.
This means that when we receive messages like server not found and server not responding. Then the user connected to that server does not get access to that server. But there are many reasons why a server goes down, some of the main reasons are network problem, application crash, operating system crashes, power failure, DOS attack. Apart from this, there can be many other reasons.
It is possible to create your own server.
If you ask us, whether we can make our own server means own server. So the answer is yes, you can run a Home server using an old computer and connect it to your internet service and provide. But you must have a reason to make it. So let’s know what home server is and why it is needed.
What is Home Server? Its Benefits
It is a computer that acts like a server in a home network. It is also the specific name given to the actual computer system. Now because it is located in our house, it provides services to other devices inside or outside the home network or through the Internet.
There are many reasons to set up server at home. One of them is that you will not have to buy any web hosting to host your own website. You will be able to host it in your own system. There are some other reasons that we talk about.
The first benefit of own server is that you will be able to store and organize your movies, photos, songs in it. Overall, the home server provides a space to hold your media files.
It is always 24 × 7 ON or ON. It is ready for immediate action compared to a normal desktop or laptop.
In this, you can backup your document and other files and keep them safe.
With the help of home server, you can control automation device like – lighting system, watering system, heating cooling etc.
The server has a more powerful processor than a desktop. They use many processors, cores and threads.
Conclusion
So hopefully, you have now understood what is a server and how does it work? If you are a student of Computer Science or IT field, then this article can be very beneficial for you. This article can also be very informative for people interested in technology. If you want us to write articles on some such informative topics, then you must share your thoughts in the comment box below.