A server is a computer that provides data or services to other computers. It can transmit data to systems on a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) via the Internet. In businesses, there are many types of servers, including web servers, mail servers, and file servers. Each type runs software specific to the server's purpose. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay A web server can run Apache HTTP Server or Microsoft IIS, both of which provide access to websites on the Internet. An email server may run a program such as Microsoft Exchange, Exim, or iMail, which provides SMTP services for sending and receiving email. A file server can use Samba or the operating system's built-in file sharing services to share files over a network. At home and in schools, many people use their personal computers to connect to multiple web servers to access the Internet, browse a website. server-hosted sites, online games, streaming music and videos from sources such as Spotify or YouTube. Home computer users can also use applications that would be backed up to the cloud, which would be one or more remote servers that manage Microsoft Office 365, which is an online application for email, Word spreadsheets and Excel. While server software is specific to the type of server, hardware is not as important. In fact, a regular desktop computer can be turned into a server by adding the appropriate software. For example, a computer connected to a home network may be a designated file server, a print server, or both. Although any computer can be configured as a server, most large companies use rack-mountable hardware designed specifically for server functionality. These systems, often 1U in size, take up minimal space and often have useful features such as LED status indicators and hot-swappable hard drive bays. Multiple rack-mountable servers can be placed in a single rack (communications cabinet) and often share the same monitor and input devices. Most servers can be accessed remotely using remote access software, so input devices are often not even necessary. Keep in mind: this is just an example. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Trial While servers can run on different types of computers, it is important that the hardware is sufficient to support the server's demands. For example, a web server that runs lots of web scripts in real time needs to have a fast processor and enough RAM to handle the "load" without slowing down. A file server must have one or more fast hard drives or SSDs capable of reading and writing data quickly. Regardless of the server type, a fast network connection is essential because all data travels through this connection..