[dan3411]

well i know this sounds kind of dumb but hey..

could someone please answer me some of these questions please they have been bugging me for a while, i have an idea of the following questions but everyone keeps saying different things..

1)- What is a server?

2)- What is the servers purpose?

3)- How would one go about connecting one up?

4)- And anything else about them, anything at all?

Fell free to add any other things. any information would be much apreciated

Cheers Dan

Edited by dan3411, 16 November 2005 - 10:52 AM.

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1) A server is stereotypically a huge great bulky machine with lots of funky looking tools and flashing lights. In reality, it can be no bigger than a standard desktop PC.

2) Servers are typically used for storing files on them though you can set them up to route internet traffic through them as well. If you wanted to.

3) At its simplest level, just buy a router and some cable, plug all the systems into the router and the server plug into the router and there you go.

4) Any PC can be a fileserver; novel uses for older slower systems. I have a computer from 10 years ago, I use it for storing files and backup purposes.

[Neil Jones]

1) A server is stereotypically a huge great bulky machine with lots of funky looking tools and flashing lights. In reality, it can be no bigger than a standard desktop PC.

2) Servers are typically used for storing files on them though you can set them up to route internet traffic through them as well. If you wanted to.

3) At its simplest level, just buy a router and some cable, plug all the systems into the router and the server plug into the router and there you go.

4) Any PC can be a fileserver; novel uses for older slower systems. I have a computer from 10 years ago, I use it for storing files and backup purposes.

[DXQ]

Servers have a purpose ... that is to serve.

They can serve files ... central site where all client PC's can access them.
They can serve applications ... classic example is a game server ... like playing BattleField 2 over the internet.
They can serve resources ... such as printers or modems where all client PC's can access them.


You need to build a network.

It is as simple as having an ethernet card in your client PC and in the Server. Then place both of them on a hub or switch.
You will then configure a network protocol to use to communicate ... commonly TCP/IP.
Then finally you will setup the client and the server to share these resources/files/applications.

There are specific server operating systems made for this purpose ... Windows 2000 server, Windows Server 2003, Novell Netware, and most Unix/Linux operating systems.