So just what is a server?

[surrealchereal]

Stupid question,, but I'm serious. What makes it different than any other computer? Especially on a small network.
What could I do with setting one of my computers up as one?
(I have 5)
Is there any advantage? Other than for me the fun of it? ;)

[Mntsnow]

a server is truthfully nothing more than a computer that has a dedicated role to play. It's job is to "serve" weither it is a PRINT server, FILE server (aka MP3 server), Web, ftp ect.

Advantages are numerous...As they are normally on 24/7 meaning their resources (what ever that may be) are always avaliable to who ever is on the network. (now I know that your systems are 24/7 cause you crack for UD so that kinda neigates the 24/7 part) ect ect

[jadison]

This post was like a RED flag in front of a bull for me, hehe, as I'm studying Networks (for the Network + Exam).

Here's my definition and explanation on the topic of
"What a server is and what it does"

Server: A network computer from which workstations (clients) access and share files, printing, communications, and other services. Servers can be dedicated to a single service, such as file servers, print servers, application servers, Web servers, and so on.

Workstations: A personal computer, connected to a network by a cable, that runs application or utility software and uses data stored locally or provided by a network server. A.K.A. Client. Typical OS is Unix, WinNT/2k, or Novell NetWare.

Servers are usually thought of as the hardware that houses the network, but it's actually the software that performs, controls, or coordinates a service or resource.

Here is a graphic I made displaying the most common types of servers implemented on a network and a description of each.

[Socal]

And each or any one of them will drive you nuts :p

[robin801]

i was interested in a printer/file(mp3/movie) server.

my concern with this is security. how would i secure my system?

win98/mandrake 8.2(system 1)
win2k(system 2)
winxp(laptop)

right now i don't have any file or print or internet sharing.

i have dsl modem connected to linksys router.

[madfish]

I run a file/game/ftp server on 2000 server. Lol like socal says. it drives me nuts at times, like right now I've messed up the ftp side and havn't figured it out yet.
I'm also in the process of taking one of my `drake 8.2 boxes and converting it to an mini apache sever to check things out and learn it.
btw I love my 'dows sever.

[Socal]

Security...

Behind router is good.

Disable or uninstall unneeded Services. Set to manual those not always needed, check for whether needed on startup.

Patch, patch patch.

Keep AV up-to-date and running real-time in systray. Use maximum heuristics if avail.

Disable NetBios over TCP/IP. (I prefer & run NetBeui for LAN)

Do not share files unless you are using it.

Disable default admin disk shares.

Go to places like SecuritySpace.com and do a basic audit, and other single tests (many are free) (Mike is an affiliate, click his link).

Monitor your network, and keep logs.

Have trusted friends try to hack you :)


I'm sure others will fill in the blanks :)

[Mntsnow]

Thanks for mentioning SecuritySpace Socal :) and Yes click away on that banner and BUY while there :D and actuallly Socal didnt really leave anything with much meat on the bone to further suggest unless you have specific concerns

[caddmannq]

To further muddle this discussion, I must add this:

With the advent (well, and actually before...but that's another story) of the "virtual machine" in multi-tasking operating systems (like Windows, OS/2, etc.) one computer can act as if it were many seperate computers.

In such PCs, virtual machines do, in fact, interact in both client and server processes at the same time.

Well, virtually. With today's fast processors things are switched so quickly that they appear to do so, even though only one process actually has access to the CPU at a particular instant in time.

Furthermore, in a peer-to-peer network (or the virtual network that exists between your PC and the internet) the individual machines may continually act as clients and servers to each other.

So the concepts of peer-to-peer, and the virtual machine (that is, a "machine" that exists only as one of many software environments, operating in relative isolation, within a single configuration of hardware) has greyed the boundries of just what a server and a client are.

In the old days, they were almost always distinct physical sets of hardware with rigidly defined purposes.

While today, computers are quite often, just self-serving. ;)

[caddmannq]

I know, I know...:o

That was a long monologue to wade through just to be confronted with such a lame pun.

But, AFAIK, it's all perfecty so. :)

Cadd.

[Socal]

LOL Actually, I thought that was a PGP (pretty good pun) ;)