What is a Computer Server?

A computer server delivers information and software programs to other computers that are linked or networked to the server. A server can also offer data management storage and backup. It also can be used for adding additional power and processing power.

Severs can be used for many different types of processing tasks. Many times a server may be used for a single type of application that requires more processing power in order to run at optimum efficiency.

Regarding the Internet servers are different from desktop computers which run on a specific operating system like Windows XP. Severs will typically have far more memory and much more powerful processors.

Severs can also manage shared resources within a network of computers. For instance a bank may contain many different computers that are all networked together. The server is managing all the data processing as well as allowing for each computer to utilize other resources such as a main printer that can be accessed by all computers within the office.

Much of the information that is access online is actually stored on servers. If you have a website for instance and you have a hosting account online, all that data is stored and processed for other computers world wide to access it. The sever processes all the information that is requested from the Internet.

The main purposes of having a server are for business applications. From small businesses to large corporations servers are used to run and manage as well as store and process all the data that flows in and out of the network of computers that are accessing the servers.

While they are not required for simple home applications they have proven to be a necessary part of our everyday connection to the Internet as well as both online and offline business applications.