servers

Question 1

what is a server?

Answer 1

a server is a specialised computer which serves a specific needs of other client computers

Question 2

name some of the features of servers?

Answer 2

they require:

• powerful RAM in order to handle different requests from different Pc’s and to perform operations at high speeds
• high capacity storage in order to store data e.g database servers
• optimum CPU speed in order to execute all the tasks requested from client Pc’s efficiently

Question 3

file server

Answer 3

file servers: stores files, indexes them and remembers them to retrieve them later on. Backups can can be done at an agreed time

adv- allocate user rights in order to access files, this means increased security levels, easy organisation

disvd-

Question 3

print server

Answer 3

manages the printing of documents, they control the printers on the network, allowing a group of users to send print requests

adv- everyone can share the networked printer, less maintenance required compared to a traditional printer, print job is sent

disvd- if the printer fails everyone in the network cant use it anymore so everyone is affected, requires administration by someone

Question 4

application server

Answer 4

designed to install and operate and monitor the applications shared across all the devices in a network via a central server which is monitored by an admin

adv- easy to install applications in one place, updates can be done simultaneously using the main server so its time efficient, you have control of all of the applications

disvd- can be expensive to setup and use, increased network bandwidth as people run the applications over the shared network, can be an over kill if there isnt enough client computers (employees in a firm)

Question 5

database server

Answer 5

Database servers are used to store and manage data of users, they are often used in large organisation with many employees

adv- is scalable which means that you can add/remove users, it uses a centralised structure to manage the data so there is less security threats since an admin oversees everything therefore its more reliable

disv- it is often complex and so you need specialist knowledge

Question 6

web servers

Answer 6

they store, process and deliver web pages to clients using HTTP

disv- security is less since online hackers can re-route you to a fake website e.g banks

Question 7

mail servers

Answer 7

this type of server acts as an electronic post office. it receives emails from users on the network, from same domains or external senders . mail servers use SMTP to send and POP3/IMAP to receive it

adv- can be setup to receive and send emails to authorised individuals, some email service providers have strict fire walls which can potentially prevent malware attacks

Question 8

hypervisor

Answer 8

hypervisor uses a combination of software and hardware that creates and runs virtual machines, when it runs virtual machines its referred as ‘Guest machines’ and the machine it runs off is called the ‘Host machine’