Server

A sever refers to the computer or device on a network that manages network resources. In other words a sever is what manages the functionality of other programs, devices and/or delivery of information and sending information.

Generally speaking servers are often dedicated*, meaning that they perform no other tasks besides their server tasks. However, on multiprocessing operating systems a single computer can execute several programs at once.  In this case you could refer to the actual program that is managing resources as the sever, rather than the entire computer.

Severs will be what your hosting provided uses to host you website, and mostly but not always, will be owned by the hosting companies themselves.

There are various different types of severs, and it is likely you will come across them and their terminology when setting up a business and website.

The following are some examples and brief descriptions:

  • File Server: A computer and storage device dedicated to storing files. So this means any user on the network can store files on the server.
  • Print Server: A computer that manages one or more printers. An office with 10 printers would likely have a printer sever to manage them..
  • Database Server: A computer system that processes database-queries.

Other types of severs you might come across include: Network Sever, Web Sever, Cloud Sever. We recommend cling on each and reading a full definition to under what each of these mean.

*You can also view more in depth explanation of dedicated severs in out knowledge base.