[Must-see for beginners] Just look at this! Easy-to-understand illustrated explanation of the basics of servers

Hello.
This is Kita from Beyond Inc. The other day, I tried to explain my job to a friend, but they didn't understand it at all and gave me a strange look.

Servers have become indispensable for using web services these days, but
many people probably feel intimidated by them, thinking, "They seem complicated," or "I don't really understand them even when I ask about them."

This time, I will explain it in an easy-to-understand manner with diagrams so that even beginners can understand it well

What is a Server?

The word "server" comes from the English word "Server," which literally translates to "the provider."
A computer that receives requests from clients (users) and provides the corresponding data is called a "server."

The party using the service is called a "client," and
the act of sending a request from the client to the server is called a "request."
The response from the server to the client in response to the request is called a "response."

For example, when you click on a page title using a search engine like Google,
the page, including text and images, is provided by the server that stores the website's data. This is an example ofthe client-server model.

In other words,behind the scenes of a website display, there is a computer called a server, and the browser abstracts away the complex interactions with the server.

How the server works

Servers are computers, just like PCs and smartphones, so they run on components that process information and record data

The main components that make up a server are:

It is composed of the following:

Also, on the server machine

There are many types such as:

Just like with PCs,the type and specifications of a server will vary depending on how it will be usedit's important to understand that

Server Type

 

There are two main types of servers:

There are two main types, but each server has different options, so it's important to understand the types of servers beforehand

Physical Server

A physical server is a server that physically exists

There are two types of physical servers:

Virtual Server

A virtual server is a technology that allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical server, making it appear as if it were multiple physical servers

Virtual servers are being actively adopted these days because they offer the benefits of allowing a single server to be used efficiently and reducing operational costs

There are two types of physical servers:

By understanding and using the features, you may be able to reduce the costs incurred during operation and construction, so please choose one that suits your needs

Server Roles

To reiterate, a server is a computer that provides specific functions and data in response to user requests. However,
since user requests vary, the name of the server changes depending on its purpose.

Want to browse a website = Web server

A web server is a server that receives requests from a client's web browser and sends data such as text and images to the client's web browser. It is
essential for displaying web pages on the web, making it indispensable for anyone running a website.

Send and receive emails = Email server

 

A mail server is a server that provides a service for sending and receiving emails.
Separate servers are used for sending and receiving emails, and multiple servers work together in coordination.

Specifically, there are four servers mentioned above, and each of them is running to send and receive emails, so keep that in mind

To store the data required for the site = Database server (DB)

A database server is a server that manages and provides databases. It
can centrally manage data such as user information and product data, and can also handle data storage, updates, and backups.

There are a variety of servers for different purposes

In addition, each server can have one role, or it can have multiple roles

Difference between multi-machine configuration and single-machine configuration (multiple roles on only one machine)

*Load balancer = A device that distributes access evenly (load distribution device)

The general advantages and disadvantages of each configuration

As such, when it comes to server configuration, it is necessary to decide flexibly on the configuration in consideration of the scale of the service and budget

summary

So far, we have provided detailed explanations about the structure, types, and roles of servers

A server is a computer that receives requests from clients and provides the corresponding data. There are various types of servers depending on their purpose, and they have become an indispensable part of our lives

I hope this article will help you understand the basics of servers

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