What Is a Server and What are Its Types?
Servers act as the central hub for many services and applications within organizations, playing a crucial role in the performance of information systems. In this article, we will first define what a server is and then discuss its various types.
What is a Server?
At first glance, when we talk about a server, we might envision a network-connected computer in a room or data center. However, in the world of information technology, the term "server" encompasses not only physical server computers but also virtual machines, server operating systems, and even applications accessible over a network that provide services. Thus, a server is hardware or software that is network-accessible and provides various services such as hosting websites, data storage, computation, and data processing to requesters of these services. These requesters, known as clients, send requests to the server, which then responds accordingly. Servers are designed to operate continuously and respond to client requests consistently.
What are the Types of Servers?
Due to the diversity of network services, there are various types of servers, each designed to meet different needs and applications. However, all these services and consequently the servers can be categorized into four types or layers:
- Software Servers
- Operating System Servers
- Virtual Servers
- Physical Servers
It is worth noting that each of these categories or layers often operates within the next one and, in a way, each serves the previous layer.
Below, we provide an explanation of each of the above categories.
Software Servers
These servers are application software installed and run on different server operating systems to provide various services to network users.
Some of the most important software servers include:
Web Servers:
A web server is software that receives HTTP and HTTPS requests and sends the requested content to users' browsers. Some of the most well-known web servers are Nginx, Apache HTTP Server, and IIS Server.
Application Servers:
An application server provides an environment for running network applications. Its main tasks include executing application logic, database communication, security management, session management, load distribution, scalability, and resource management. Common application servers include JBoss, IBM WebSphere, and Oracle WebLogic.
Database Servers:
A database server offers services for managing and accessing databases. These servers enable storage, retrieval, and management of data for applications and users. They process user or application requests, perform necessary operations on the data, and return the results to the requesters. Oracle, DB2, and MySQL are among the most famous databases.
Email Servers:
An email server is software responsible for sending, receiving, storing, and managing emails, facilitating electronic message exchange between users. Examples include Microsoft Exchange, Postfix, and Sendmail.
File Servers:
A file server stores and manages access to files, allowing network users to store and share files. NFS, FTP, and Samba are examples of file servers.
Operating System Servers
Operating system servers are server operating systems installed on virtual or physical servers. These servers provide a suitable environment for running software or network applications. Based on the type of operating system, they can be categorized into Windows servers and Linux servers. Each type has its specific features and applications.
Windows Server:
A Windows server is a server operating system developed by Microsoft for use in organizational and commercial environments. Its benefits include integration with other Microsoft products, a familiar user interface, and regular updates.
Linux Server:
A Linux server is a server operating system based on the Linux kernel, designed for use in organizational environments. Its advantages include low cost, customizability, extensive software support, and a large, active user community.
Virtual Servers
These servers can host server operating systems. A virtual server, also known as a Virtual Private Server (VPS), is a type of server created using virtualization tools on a physical server. Typically, multiple virtual servers coexist on a single physical server, providing users with a virtually dedicated network computer. Virtual servers are a suitable and cost-effective solution for users needing dedicated resources with high flexibility but who cannot or do not want to obtain a dedicated physical server.
Physical Servers
Physical servers act as the foundation for many computational services and applications. They can host operating system servers but are often divided into multiple virtual servers using virtualization tools. Physical servers are categorized into rackmount servers and blade servers.
Rackmount Servers:
Rackmount servers are physical servers designed to be installed in a standard structure called a rack. Their scalability, easy management, and quick access to internal components make them suitable for data center environments and commercial applications. Due to their compact size, multiple servers can be installed in a single rack.
Blade Servers:
Blade servers have a modular design, where each blade operates as an independent server housed within a chassis. Blade servers use shared chassis resources like power and cooling systems to save space and cost. Their easy scalability makes them ideal for large data centers and intensive computing applications.
Monitoring Various Servers on the Moein Monitoring Platform
Below, we briefly list the types of servers that can be monitored using the Moein platform. In subsequent articles, we will discuss the key monitoring metrics for each type.
Types of Servers and Their Monitorable Instances in Moein
Software Servers
- Web Servers: Nginx, Apache HTTP Server, IIS Server, and IBM HTTP Server.
- Application Servers: JBoss, IBM WebSphere, Oracle WebLogic.
- Database Servers: DB2, Hazelcast, Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL.
- Email Servers: Microsoft Exchange, Axigen, Postfix.
Operating System Servers
- Operating Systems: Windows family, Linux family, and z/OS.
Virtual Servers
Physical Servers
- Rackmount Servers: Cisco UCS, HPE Server.
- Blade Servers: HPE Blade Server, IBM Blade Server.
The Moein platform provides comprehensive monitoring for the above server types, ensuring effective performance management and operational stability across diverse IT environments
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