subject: Components Of A Server - A Breakdown [print this page] Although they can do a tremendous amount of work, servers are pretty basic with far less actual parts to them than most people think. Previously called a Mainframe, the typical server does its work diligently and consistently, usually situated in a cool and dust-free location which may or may not be at the place of business for which it is employed.
Servers are made up of rack-mounted components which communicate by means of a network cable and a power cord.
Each rack contains one server that is dedicated to one specific purpose. One may be the designated web server while another provides power, memory, and software to operate printers. If there is a large database to be accessed, that particular server will normally be fitted with one or more large hard drives for memory storage.
Depending on the use and requirements of the operations to be performed, server components will vary in speed, memory and, capacity. Since these components all create an abundance of heat while in operation, the server is normally situated in a very cold room.
Today computer hard drives may use any of several means of connection:
1. SATA (serial advanced technology attachment)
2. FireWire (a high speed serial bus interface)
3. E-SATA (externally connectible SATA)
4. SCSI (small computer system interface aka scuzzy)
5. DAS (direct attached storage or digital storage attached directly to the server or work station)
6. iSCSI (internet small computer system interface)
7. Fibre Channel (transports SCSI commands via fibre optic or twisted pair copper wire)
This means of storage has been the preferred method but may soon be replaced by other, far more efficient and compact methods. Solid state and digital seem to be the future for disk storage, greatly expanding the capacity as well as performing far cooler and much more reliably.
Servers run a type of software designed for server applications, and this along with a faster CPU and more memory, sets it apart from the average computer and allows the server components to share information while issuing commands to the computers using it as their server.
The activities of the server do not make clones out of the computers it serves but rather give directions to them without creating redundancy.
Servers do not need monitors, sound or video boards, and USB interfaces although they may have control over them on the computers being served by the server and its components. This saves space and resources that are put to better use with increased speed and efficiency of the hardware it does use.
A fast CPU enables the server to handle commands both of input and output (I/O) as well as high speed networking connectivity.
Servers are designed to run constantly without interruption so the reliability of its hardware is critical. Multiple fans for efficient cooling coupled with cool running hard drives, powers supplies, and memory help keep everything running smoothly and efficiently as the server components perform their duties twenty four seven. Having redundant power supplies, hard drives, along with multiple CPU's help to keep the computer server operating efficiently so the software can issue commands to or receive them from many computers at once.
