Server computer Vs server application
In this post, let’s try to understand the meaning of the term server and talk about what a server computer is and what a server application is. First, we will figure out where the word server came from, and then we’ll figure out why we need server machines and why some programs are called server applications and what is their difference from ordinary applications.
So, let’s deal with the question: what is a server? But first, a little historical background. Speaking specifically about computer topics and the IT industry, the term server has two meanings:
- The server is software that receives and processes customer requests in order to provide certain services.
- A server is a hardware complex that has great computing power.
Usually, the server is assembled for any specific service functions. For example, a database server or file server. Speaking in the context of web development, the hosting on which we host sites is a server that includes both software and hardware.
Server computer
If we are talking about the hardware, then the server is a specialized computer or special equipment that is used to perform any highly specialized functions that require large computing power. The performance of highly specialized server functions is determined by the use of special server software.
Sometimes, instead of the term server, you can hear the phrase dedicated computer, again, this is because the functions of the server in the computer network are different from the functions of other machines. In the best case, a person works with the server machine only once – when the server is configured, then the server computer (again, in the ideal case) works autonomously without human intervention.
Server application
A server application is a specialized program that accepts customer requests, processes them and provides answers to these questions. To better understand what a server application is, you need to understand that the client-server interaction model is designed to share the load and functionality between client and server applications, so the client and server applications can run on the same computer and at the same time interact with each other.
In addition to the fact that the server application has a specific role or function, we should note that the interaction between the client program and the server application occurs via the network protocol (even if both applications are installed on the same computer, for example, via the HTTP protocol). Now we will not give a complete classification of server applications and will not go into the specifics of certain applications. We need to understand that server applications fulfill a strictly defined role and in the client-server architecture are service providers for clients
Post a comment