A server is a computer that provides data or services to other computers. It can provide data to systems on a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN) over the Internet. There are many types of servers in business, including web servers, mail servers, and file servers. Each type runs software specific to the server's purpose. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay A web server can run Apache HTTP Server or Microsoft IIS, both of which provide access to websites on the Internet. A mail server can run a program such as Microsoft Exchange, Exim, or iMail, which provides SMTP services for sending and receiving email. A file server might use Samba or the operating system's built-in file sharing services to share files over a network. At home and at school, many people use their personal computers to connect to multiple web servers to access the Internet, browse websites hosted on a server, play online games, stream music and videos from sources such as Spotify or YouTube. Computer users at home can also use applications that will be backed up to the cloud, which is one or more remote servers that maintain Microsoft Office 365, which is an online application for sending emails, Word spreadsheets and Excel. While server software is specific to the server type, hardware is not as important. In fact, a normal desktop computer can be transformed into a server by adding the appropriate software. For example, a computer connected to a home network can be a designated file server, a print server, or both. While any computer can be configured as a server, most large businesses use rack-mountable hardware designed specifically for server functionality. These systems, often 1U in size, take up minimal space and often have useful features like LED status indicators and hot-swappable hard drive bays. Multiple rack-mountable servers can be placed within a single rack (Comms Cabinet) and often share the same monitor and input devices. Most servers are accessed remotely using remote access software, so input devices are often not even needed. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay While servers can run on many different types of computers, it is important that the hardware is sufficient to support the server's requests. For example, a web server that runs a lot of web scripts in real time should have a fast processor and enough RAM to handle the "load" without slowing down. A file server should have one or more fast hard drives or SSDs that can read and write data quickly. Regardless of the type of server, a fast network connection is crucial, as all data passes through that connection.