3.
Server Environments
So far we have talked
about the options of standardization and change control as possible means
to stabilize your computer environment. While applicable to both server
and workstation computers, these are primarily means of controlling the
workstations accessed by the users directly. But what about avoiding or
managing server problems?
First,
let’s review what a server is and does for those of you that might not
be that familiar with computer lingo. Essentially a server is any computer
that houses hardware and software that enables it to perform actions on
behalf of the combined user community on a network. WOW -
that’s a mouth full! But what does that mean?
Well,
basically it boils down to this: You can turn any computer into a server
by installing a software component on it that more than one other computer
on the network can connect to and utilize. And that is exactly what many
companies do, thereby overlooking the fact that the criticality of the
“old workstation” turned “server” has now increased due to the
fact that the machine now most likely houses data more critical to
operations than before.
Servers
are specified by their purpose. Web servers run applications that let you
share web pages on the Internet or internally. Mail servers house email
accounts and forward email messages. File and print servers let multiple
users on a network utilize the same disk space or printer connected to
them. Application servers typically house a specific program acting as a
server to their client applications on the workstations and database
servers house vast amount of structures data that is accessible through
database connections on the network.
(read
on ...)
Copyright (c) 2008 by In Scope-Solutions,
Inc.
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