A computer on a network or other network device that stores all necessary information and is dedicated to provide a particular service. For example, a database server would store all data and software related to a certain database and allows other network devices to access and process database queries. A file server is a computer and storage device dedicated to storing files for any user on the network to store files on the server. A print server is a device that manages one or more printers, and a networkserver is a computer that manages network traffic.
On multiprocessing operating systems, however, a single computer can execute several programs at once. A server in this case could refer to the program that is managing resources rather than the entire computer. The latest virtual server technology allows one computer to provide multiple server processing simultaneously and independently.
The major server types are listed as follows:
Application Servers: Application servers connect between database servers and the end user.
Audio/Video Servers: Provide multimedia capabilities to Web sites by enabling them to broadcast streaming multimedia content.
Chat Servers: Provide service to a large number of users to exchange real time information and discussion.
Database Server: Store all data and software related to a certain database and allows other network devices to access and process database queries.
File Servers: dedicated to storing files for any user on the network to store files on the server.
FTP Servers: File Transfer Protocol makes it possible to move one or more files securely between computers while providing file security and organization as well as transfer control.
Groupware Servers: Enable users to collaborate, regardless of location, via the Internet or a corporate intranet and to work together in a virtual atmosphere.
IRC Servers: Internet Relay Chat consists of various separate networks (or "nets") of servers that allow users to connect to each other via an IRC network.
List Servers: Manage mailing lists (interactive discussions and announcements), newsletters, or advertising.
Mail Servers: Move and store emails over corporate networks and across the Internet.
News Servers: Distribute and deliver public news groups currently accessible over the USENET news network.
Printer Server: Manages one or more printers
Proxy Servers: It sits between a client program (such as a Web browser) and an external server (typically another server on the Web) to filter requests, improve performance, and share connections.
Telnet Servers: Enables users to log on to a host computer and perform tasks as if they're working on the remote computer itself.
Web Servers: Provide content to a Web browser by loading a file from a disk and deliver it across the network to a user's Web browser.
server
Related Terms: Application Servers, Audio/Video Servers, Chat Servers, Database Server, File Servers, FTP Servers, Groupware Servers, IRC Servers, List Servers, Mail Servers, News Servers, Printer Server, Proxy Servers, Telnet Servers, Web Servers, Virtual Server