3 - Understand business IT systems Flashcards
Name all six types of servers
file/print, application, database, web, mail and hypervisor
What is the purpose of a print server?
A print server, or printer server, is a device that connects printers to client computers over a network. It accepts print jobs from the computers and sends the jobs to the appropriate printers, queuing the jobs locally. A print server also allows a network to share printers. This saves on costs, instead of having a printer per device.
What is the purpose of a file server?
A file server (or fileserver) is a computer attached to a network that provides a location for shared disk access, i.e. shared storage of computer files (such as text, image, sound, video) that can be accessed by the workstations that are connected to the same network. The school uses a file server so that the files which you save are centrally stored on the network allowing you to access any work when you are connected to the schools network. This is also good for backing up data. You could even have file servers as part of a disaster/recovery plan if it stored off site.
What is the purpose of an application server?
An application server is a type of server designed to install, operate and host applications and associated services for end users. The school will use an application server to install and maintain software which has been added to the devices which have been contacted to its network. The students iPads will also be controlled by application servers. The school are able to remotely download specific apps and updates though this server to support end users (students and staff).
What is a web server?
The primary function of a web server is to store, process and deliver web pages to clients. The communication between client and server takes place using the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). A web server simply stores the data which is loaded up on a web page. Web pages which take longer to loads generally hold larger volumes of data (videos). The web server can be accessed through a web domain name (www.). This is the address given to a web server so its data can be accessed.
What is a mail server?
An email server, or simply mail server, is an application or computer in a network whose sole purpose is to act as a virtual post office. The server stores incoming mail for distribution to local users and sends out outgoing messages. The protocols which are associated with this server are IMAP, POP and SMTP. A mail server can also be used to stop unwanted emails (spam) from being delivered to users. A mail server will also hold the address book for the organisation. For example, this could be for Valley Park school where the address book will hold all of the students and staff’s work email addresses. This way when an email is received the email server is able to distribute the mail to the right recipient.
What is a hypervisor?
A hypervisor is a program that would enable you to host several different virtual machines on a single hardware. This process is known as virtualisation. Each one of these virtual machines or operating systems you have will be able to run its own programs, as it will appear that the system has the host hardware’s processor, memory and resources. In reality, however, it is actually the hypervisor that is allocating those resources to the virtual machines. In effect, a hypervisor allows you to have several virtual machines all working optimally on a single piece of computer hardware.
What are benefits of virtualisation?
Less costs involved as there is no physical hardware to purchase (cloud based). No cable needed. Less power consumption than having a series of different servers. Less space needed to store the servers.
What are the disadvantages of virtualisation?
Complex, therefore higher trained staff are needed to monitor and maintain the system. If the physical hardware breaks where the main servers are remotely access from this will cause multiple networks to go down. Easier to steal data as they are just stored on devices which have access to the virtual servers.
What is a peer-to-peer network?
When two or more PCs are connected and share resources without going through a separate server computer. Each computer stores files and acts as a server. Each computer has equal responsibility for providing data.
What is a client server?
The client-server model is the relationship between two computers in which one, the client, makes a service request from another, the server. The key point about a client-server model is that the client is dependent on the server to provide and manage the information. Valley Park School use this as all data stored within lessons is accessed through the file servers. When you access your work you are making a request to the client server to download/access specific work.
What are the four network topologies?
Star, ring, bus and mesh
What is an IP address?
An address is assigned to the computer you’re on. When you’re at a coffeehouse, the IP address you see will be different from the IP address you see at home, a hotel or an airport.
