The basic function of a server is to manage network resources accessed by network clients.
The term "server" can refer both to a program that performs these operations and to a machine that runs one or more server programs. The following table lists servers by class (or purpose). LAN administrators can mix and match server functions without regard to their class, but it's helpful to see the role the servers play relative to Web, firewall, email, DNS, or LAN duties.
Question: Within the context of website deployment, what must be taken into consideration when allocating servers??
When allocating servers for website deployment, there are several factors that must be taken into consideration:
- Traffic volume: The amount of traffic that a website receives is a critical factor in determining server allocation. High-traffic websites require more powerful servers and may need to be hosted on a dedicated server or a cloud-based infrastructure.
- Storage requirements: The size and type of data that the website stores will affect the server requirements. Websites that handle large amounts of media, such as images and videos, will require more storage space and higher bandwidth.
- Processing power: The processing power required by a website will depend on the complexity of the application and the amount of traffic it receives. Websites that require high levels of processing power, such as e-commerce sites with complex search algorithms, may require more powerful servers.
- Security requirements: The level of security required by a website will also affect server allocation. Websites that handle sensitive data, such as financial transactions or personal information, will require more secure servers and may need to be hosted on a dedicated server or a virtual private server (VPS).
- Geographic location: The geographic location of the servers can also affect website performance. Servers located closer to the website's users will generally provide faster page load times and better performance.
- Redundancy and failover: To ensure maximum uptime, it is important to have a redundant server setup with failover mechanisms in place. This ensures that if one server goes down, the website can still be accessed through another server.
- Cost: Finally, cost is an important factor in server allocation. It is important to balance performance and security requirements with the cost of server infrastructure, hosting, and maintenance.
In conclusion, when allocating servers for website deployment, it is important to consider factors such as traffic volume, storage requirements, processing power, security requirements, geographic location, redundancy and failover, and cost. By taking these factors into consideration, website owners can ensure that their website is hosted on the appropriate server infrastructure to meet their performance, security, and budgetary requirements.
A proxy server sits between a client program (typically a Web browser) and an external server (typically another server on the Web) to filter requests, improve performance, and share connections.
- Mail Server: Almost as ubiquitous and crucial as Web servers, mail servers move and store mail over corporate networks (via LANs and WANs) and across the Internet.
- Server Platforms: A term often used synonymously with operating system, a platform is the underlying hardware or software for a system and is thus the engine that drives the server.
- Web Server: At its core, a Web server serves static content to a Web browser by loading a file from a disk and serving it across the network to a user's Web browser. This entire exchange is mediated by the browser and server talking to each other using HTTP.
- Application Server: Sometimes referred to as a type of middleware, application servers occupy a large chunk of computing territory between database servers and the end user, and they often connect the two.
- Real-Time Communication Server: Real-time communication servers, formerly known as chat servers or IRC Servers, and still sometimes referred to as instant messaging (IM) servers, enable large numbers users to exchange information near instantaneously.
- FTP Server: One of the oldest of the Internet services, 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.
- Collaboration Server: In many ways, collaboration software, once called 'groupware,' demonstrates the original power of the Web.
Collaboration software designed to enable users to collaborate, regardless of location, via the Internet or a corporate intranet and to work together in a virtual atmosphere.
- List Server: List servers offer a way to better manage mailing lists, whether they be interactive discussions open to the public or one-way lists that deliver announcements, newsletters or advertising.
- Telnet Server: A Telnet server enables users to log on to a host computer and perform tasks as if they're working on the remote computer itself.
- Open Source Server: From your underlying open source server operating system to the server software that help you get your job done, open source software is a critical part of many IT infrastructures.
- Virtual Server: In 2009, the number of virtual servers deployed exceeded the number of physical servers.
Today, server virtualization has become near ubiquitous in the data center. From hypervisors to hybrid clouds, ServerWatch looks at the latest virtualization technology trends.
In the next lesson, you will learn how to estimate a server's transfer load.
