If you are starting a business or launching a new website, you will need to know everything there is to know about servers. From mail servers and server platforms, to web servers and virtual servers, there is a lot to choose from; if you are just entering the world of web hosting for the first time, it can be very confusing. The thing is that every server has a different type of function, and is better suited for certain things, so which server you choose depends on your needs.
It is important to understand that different servers do different jobs, some are for emailing and video, others protect internal networks and host websites. But, there are actually many different types of servers nowadays, and it can get bewildering ,which is why we have put together this list of the main types of servers to help clarify your options.
Web Server
The core of all the servers is a web server, it is how the whole internet operates. The server gives static content to a browser across the network to the user’s web browser. This exchange works by the server and the browser talking to each other using HTTP.
Mail Servers
To put it simply, a mail server is how emails are sent and stored across the internet and over private networks. It is crucial for any company, almost as crucial as a web server. There are many advantages of owning your own mail server, and you don’t have to be a big company to benefit from those advantages. Even if you are a small web design company, it is still worth owning your own mail server.
Virtual Server
Virtual servers are the latest development in server technology and are very popular for providing low cost web hosting services. Instead of requiring one computer for each server, many virtual servers can reside in the same machine, without affecting the performance of the server. Cloud hosting technology operates using virtual servers. These packages from 1&1 are good example of what kind of RAM and processing power that virtual servers are capable of producing.
Collaboration Server
Collaboration software, formerly known as ‘groupware’, enables users to share files and collaborate without being in the same place. Particularly useful for getting feedback from clients and colleagues and working together in a virtual atmosphere.
