Server

A computer connected to a network that other computers may or may not access. Unlike other computers on a network, a server is a dedicated computer set up for one or more purposes. For example, a user may setup a server to authenticate and allow or prohibit users from accessing a network, send/receive e-mail, manage print jobs, and/or host a website. To the right is an example of cluster of rack mountable computers at the NCSA/University of Illinois.

Because servers commonly serve a need that's required 24/7 they're often never turned off and when fail cause the network users or company a great deal of problems. Some server failures can cause a company and its employees to come to a complete halt in their work until they return. Because of this, servers are commonly high-end computers and are setup to be fault tolerant.

Also see: Client, Computer, Host computer, Microcomputer, Network definitions, PWS, Server farm, Supercomputer, Workstation

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