28 September, 2010
Most computer users know the fundamentals about laptops and workstations – but what is a server and what does it do? Normally a server is a standalone PC (sometimes even without a screen, keyboard & mouse) that quite often sits in a back room or even in its own dedicated cabinet. It is normally used when you already have two or more computers in the same office (or even at home) and need to share different resources. These resources can be many different things. They can be files that you want to share such as documents or spread sheets, photos, music or even printers. In a business the shared resources can also be databases or even shared calendars, contacts, email folders & even security permissions or restrictions to different folders and files. The simplest of servers will just run a Workstation operating system such as Windows 7 Professional, however for more functionality & options an operating system such as Microsoft 2008 Small Business Server (SBS) is required. SBS will require everyone to have separate usernames and passwords and this forms the base of the folder permissions as well as other shared resources such as calendars etc. If a server is setup right in a business sense it lends far greater freedom, flexibility and security than running without one. A sever like this will also have a battery backup & surge protector and normally a fully automated backup system. In a home environment the simplest server can even be one of the many new Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices which will allow everyone on the network to access shared file storage. Many of these new NAS devices even have 2 internal mirrored hard drives which also lends a good degree of file replication/security. Kerr Solutions is at 128 Musgrave Street & is contactable on 49 222 400.
