Types of Network Servers

Servers are classified by their functions and specialization examples are

a)      File server

b)      Print server

c)       Application servers

A). File Servers

These are centralized storage mechanism needed by a group of users. Placing these file in one centralized location impact several benefit as described below

i)                    Centralize Location

Constant repositioning of shared files as users do not have to search multiple potential storage location to find a file instead is stored in one place

ii)                  Electric Power Condition

The use of centralize for files storage also enables introduction of mailing technique that can provide protection of data from inconsistency in electric power

iii)                Constant Data Archiving

Storing all shared file in a common centralized location greatly facilitate back up because only a single output device and routine are required

iv)                Speed

The server is more powerful and fully configure platform than a typical client computers

B). Print Servers

1. Print Servers can be used to share printers among the users of LAN. Both Netware and Windows NT allow workstation to share a printer attached to it

2. Print Servers software can run on the file server and share printers attached to it

3. The other alternative is to use a Print Server directly attached to the LAN. Many Printers can be configured with a Network Interface Card which enables them to be directly attached to the LAN. These enable the Printers to become Print Queue Servers. A Printer only function is to accept Print request from all Network devices put them in a queue and spool them to appropriate Printer (Spool – Simultaneous Peripheral Operational Online) meaning temporary Storage of programs or data in the form of output stream on magnetic media for later output or execution.  

Figure2. A diagram illustrating a Printer Server Management Set Up

Each Printer connected to a Print Server has its own queue (waiting list) this queue respect the order of all request that are temporarily stored and waiting turn to print 

C). Application Servers

This host the executable application Software, to run that application Server, a client must established a connection across a network to the Server. Application Severs enables an Organization to reduce its overall cost of Application Software