Server Computing System

A Server Computing System is a network-based computing system that instantiates server software to deliver a networked service.

• Context:
  • It can consist of hardware or software components.
  • It is usually a Remote Computing System.
  • It can support server virtualization to host multiple logical servers on a single physical server.
  • It can be designed to scale vertically (adding resources to a single node) or horizontally (adding more nodes).
  • It can integrate with storage systems for data persistence.
  • It can interface with monitoring systems for performance tracking.
  • It can provide network security through firewalls and intrusion detection systems.
  • It can range from simple dedicated servers to complex cloud-based servers depending on its purpose.
  • It can support distributed computing for tasks that require coordination among multiple servers.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Application Server Computing System (used to host and run networked applications), such as:
    • Web Servers for handling HTTP requests (e.g., Apache HTTP Server, Nginx).
    • Mail Servers for managing email services (e.g., Microsoft Exchange, Postfix).
    • Database Servers for storing and managing data (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL).
    • File Servers for file sharing and data storage (e.g., Samba, Windows File Server).
    • Print Servers for managing printer access across a network.
    • Proxy Servers for request forwarding and traffic filtering.
  • Infrastructure Server Computing System (provides foundational network services), such as:
    • DNS Servers for domain name resolution (e.g., BIND, Microsoft DNS).
    • DHCP Servers for IP address allocation (e.g., ISC DHCP, Windows DHCP Server).
    • Authentication Servers for verifying user credentials (e.g., RADIUS Server, Active Directory).
  • Specialized Server Computing System (used for niche or specific purposes), such as:
    • Game Servers for online multiplayer gaming (e.g., Minecraft Server, Valve Source Dedicated Server).
    • Media Servers for media streaming (e.g., Plex, Kodi).
    • Fax Servers for handling fax communication in businesses.
    • Sound Servers for managing audio services (e.g., PulseAudio).
  • Virtualized or Cloud-Based Server Computing System (leverages virtualization or cloud technologies), such as:
    • Virtual Private Servers (e.g., AWS EC2, DigitalOcean Droplets).
    • Cloud Servers in distributed architectures (e.g., Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure).
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Client Software, which consumes networked services rather than providing them.
  • Standalone System, which operates independently and does not integrate into a network.
  • Personal Computer, which may not be optimized for server workloads or 24/7 uptime.
• See: Supercomputer, Personal Computer, Computer Hardware, Computer Software, Distributed Computing System, Decentralized Computing System, Standalone System, Client Software, Web-based Application, Server Virtualization, Cloud Computing.

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References

2021a

• (Wikipedia, 2021) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Server_(computing) Retrieved:2021-10-17.
  • In computing, a server is a piece of computer hardware or software (computer program) that provides functionality for other programs or devices, called “clients". This architecture is called the client–server model. Servers can provide various functionalities, often called "services", such as sharing data or resources among multiple clients, or performing computation for a client. A single server can serve multiple clients, and a single client can use multiple servers. A client process may run on the same device or may connect over a network to a server on a different device. Typical servers are database servers, file servers, mail servers, print servers, web servers, game servers, and application servers.

    Client–server systems are today most frequently implemented by (and often identified with) the request–response model: a client sends a request to the server, which performs some action and sends a response back to the client, typically with a result or acknowledgment. Designating a computer as "server-class hardware" implies that it is specialized for running servers on it. This often implies that it is more powerful and reliable than standard personal computers, but alternatively, large computing clusters may be composed of many relatively simple, replaceable server components.

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