Aspects of Building a Server System - Article Example

Building a Server Name Date Table of Contents 1- Introduction Servers are primarily dedicated, it means that that they do no other job besides their server responsibilities. We can say Server is multiprocessing operating systems, though; a single computer is able to execute numerous programs at once. A server in this scenario could be stated as a system or program that is handling and controlling resources rather than the whole computer (Beal, 2010). A server is primarily a system or framework that executes on a machine, offering a particular as well as specific service to other machines linking to the machine on that it is found. Currently, server working and functionality has turn out to be so loaded, complex plus diverse in nature that there are whole extremely powerful computers devoted to being completely servers. This has guided a lot of non-technical people to designate servers as being machines that execute services (Unuth, 2010). This report is about the deep and detailed analysis of some of the main aspects of the server technology. In this scenario I will present a comprehensive overview of some of main aspects of building a server system. 2- Overview Technology Normally speaking, a server system is a machine by means of a specific group of programs that present special kinds of service that other systems (then called clients) demand to perform certain tasks. For instance, a file server is a technology structure that keeps files, as well as permits clients to upload as well as download them as of it. A web server is a system that hosts websites as well as permits Internet users also known as clients to get right of entry these websites. The page we are reading at the present approaches as of a complex network and structure of web server. On the other hand a mail server is a system that, along with the storage as well as organization of email messages, offering service to email clients who are able to retrieve, read as well as directs these emails messages (Unuth, 2010). 3- Server Types and Technology As stating in a simple way, a "server" is nothing more than a standard computer system that offers resources or services to further clients and computers. In that scenario there is nothing extremely unusual regarding being a server. Actually, if our computer machine is has files sharing allowed as well as others are capable to copy files as of our system to other system it becomes a file server. A server is immediately a computer that is been chosen as well as possibly optimized to carry out a specific jobs in service to others, certainly this is the job that makes it different from all other technology systems (Ask Leo, 2011). A device or computer on a network that administer network resources and system can be said server and it is of many types. Some of main types of the servers are outlined below: File server: a storage and computer device dedicated to save and store data and information files. Some users on the network are able to save files on the server. Print server: This type of server is a computer that administers one or more printers, as well as a network server are systems that control network traffic. Database server: is a computer structure that manages database queries. Web Server: this type of server manage and control the traffic all through the web Back Up Server: This type of server machines are used to manage and control the data back ups. The main purpose of such servers is to control backup the data so that in case of any disaster we can restore the original data Storage Server: this type of server is aimed to store the data on a network. This server is completely dedicated for the storage of data and information for a business or working corporate Servers are frequently dedicated; it means that they carry out no other jobs besides their server jobs. On multiprocessing OS or operating systems, though, a single computer is able to carry out numerous functions and programs at once. A server in this scenario could present advantage to the program that is organizing and handling resources rather than the whole computer (WeboPedia, 2010). 4- What is server application? A server application is a kind of server system that is intended for or devoted to carrying out specific applications. At its majority basic tasks, an application server might be employed to carry out one application. If that application is the one that maintains our business network going as well as is, frequently, a huge application, it may take up the whole RAM as well as ROM needs of one server (White, 2011). A server application is a server program in a system in distributed network arrangement that offers the business logic intended for application software. The server application is often taken as a fraction of a 3-tier application, composed of a graphical user interface or GUI server, a business logic server, as well as a transaction and database server. More deliberatively, it is able to be observed like dividing an application into 3-tires like: (TechTarget, 2010) In case of a first-tier, front-end, Web browser supported graphical user interface, typically at a workstation or personal computer A middle-tier company logic application or group of applications, probably on a an intranet server or LAN or local area network A third-tier, or back-end arrangement , that is a database as well as transaction server, occasionally on a mainframe or big server Pervious, legacy application databases as well as transaction organization applications are fraction of the third tier or back end arrangement. The application server is the middleman among browser supported front-ends as well as back-end databases plus legacy systems (TechTarget, 2010). 5- What is the server Operating System (OS) Server operating system or Server OS is an application or software that was particularly build to work as a platform intended for carrying out multi-user computer applications, programs that are networked as well as programs that are vital to company computing. This kind of OS (operating system) frequently comes in package by means of the majority ordinary kinds of systems deployed in the client-server model, an expression employed to point out the exchange of data and information among computers. For instance, a HTTP (hypertext transfer protocol) or web server hosts or "grasps” the images files, text files as well as scripts that operate jointly to shape a website. As someone joins to the Internet as well as types in a website address, the server that grasps the files of the website carries or "serves" the asked for pages to the client workstations or the systems that established the request (Harvey, 2011). Server operating systems are intended from the ground up to offer platforms intended for multi-user, often business-critical, networked systems. As similar, the spotlight of similar OSs has a tendency to offer stability, security as well as teamwork, rather than client interface. Server operating systems offer a platform intended for multi-user systems, plus the majority approach in bundled by means of a batch of widespread server applications, similar to as a e-mail agents, Web servers plus terminal services (PC World Staff , 2002). 6- Windows Servers The Windows Server Family offers a fundamental base intended for the entire of our server workload as well as application needs as being simple to organize as well as administer. Novel Web resources, virtualization a tool, management enhancements as well as new more thrilling Windows-7 addition facilitates to decrease costs, save time plus offer a platform intended for a dynamic as well as competently handled data center. As businesses are looking for reason to construct appliances, traditional servers or solution servers, the Windows Server family is able to convene their requirements (Microsoft, 2010). 7- Servers Technology Selected In order to analyze how to build a server I have decided to use the Windows Server 2008. In this scenario I will assess and analyze some of main areas and technology association for the formation, establishment of such server technology. 8- Windows Servers 2008 Windows Server 2008 is the well known and highly robust Windows Server OS nowadays. By means of built-in, improved Web facilities plus incorporated virtualization technology, the new technology platform of Windows Server 2008 Standard is intended to augment the dependability as well as flexibility of our server arrangement as facilitating to save time as well as decrease costs. Improved features of security facilitate to guard our business information and data as well as network, plus offer us through a solid, extremely reliant bases intended for our company. As well, great tools provide us superior control over our servers as well as modernize configuration as well as management jobs (Microsoft, 2010). 9- Windows Servers Characteristic In this section I will outline some of the main facilities that Windows Server 2008 offers for a business: (Microsoft, 2010) and (Otey & Crockett, 2010) 9.1- Virtualization Server virtualization expertise comprising Windows Server Hyper-V as well as improvements to Remote Desktop Services, are able to facilitate and convene the entire of these challenges through facilitating us consolidate our resources as well as understand important arrangement plus administration can be cost savings. 9.2- Improved Data Center Management The new Windows Server 2008 offer more enhanced handling of data center resources and power consumptions. In this scenario Windows Server 2008 able to effectively manage the data center resources. 9.3- Scalability and Reliability Windows Server 2008 R2 is competent of extraordinary workload size, in this way it offer more enhanced handling and management of the corporate resource and aspects. 9.4- Leveraging sophisticated CPU architectures This version of server windows offers enhanced CPU resource utilization and overall cost management of added resources. 9.5- Increased operating system componentization In case of possible corporate expansion the Windows Server 2008 offer more enhanced facility in case of increasing business technology arrangement. 9.6- Improved performance As compared to old versions of server windows this new Windows Server 2008 offers more enhanced features and performance management aspects. 9.7- Improved Storage Solutions Windows Server 2008 effectively manage storage and working resources that can lead to enhanced handling and management of overall resource and memory management to all attached clients. 9.8- Improved Protection In case of present vulnerable web based arrangement we are able to have more enhanced security features and facilities inside Windows Server 2008. 9.10- Improved performance for branch offices In case of better resources and storage allocation the new version of the Windows offers more enhanced facility and management of the business department and distant branches in case of better and effective memory management and resources allocation. 10- Technology Support In this section I will outline some of the main technology supports offered by the Windows Server 2008 Enterprise: (GoogleDocs, 2011) Offer support for 2 TB of RAM Offer support for 32 and also 64 bit systems Offer feature of scalability up-to 8 x86/32-bit processors or 8 x64/64-bit processors Supports hot Add Memory support Offer facility of 16-node failover cluster Extremely fault tolerant supported memory synchronization Presents cross file replication (or DFS-R) Presented support for the Hyper-V-based virtualization Offer limitless Network Access Service connections Offers unrestricted Network Policy Server connections Support to overall 65,535 Terminal Server links Presents higher identity administration by means of Active Directory Federation Services 11- System Requirements In this section I will present a detailed assessment for the minimum and recommended system requirements intended for windows server 2008. Here below I have made table that will demonstrate the possible need for the hardware we need for the installing and working of the windows server 2008: (pinaldave, 2008) Requirements Minimum Recommended Processor 1 GHz (x86 processor) or 1.4 GHz (x64 processor) 2 GHz or faster Memory 512 MB RAM 2 GB RAM or greater Available Disk Space 10 GB 40 GB or greater Drive DVD-ROM drive Display Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution monitor Other Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device 12- Product Specifications I have analyzed all the needs and requirement. In this scenario I have found that Dell PowerEdge T110 system is best suited for our corporate working and operations. The cost of this system after presenting main specification is $2,829.00. Image of the system Dell PowerEdge T110 is presented below: Figure 1- Dell PowerEdge T110 Source: http://getitequipped.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/dell_poweredge_t110_1.jpg Here below I have outlined the main system specifications and components those will be required to build the overall Server system. These components are extracted for the better working and operations of the Windows Server 2008 R2, Standard Edition, x64: (Dell, 2010) Hardware Specification PowerEdge T110 PowerEdge T110 Chassis with upto 4 Cabled Hard Drives Processor Intel® Xeon® X3470, 2.93 GHz, 8M Cache, Turbo, HT Memory 1GB Memory (1x1GB), 1333MHz, Single Ranked UDIMM Operating System Windows Server 2008 R2, Standard Edition,x64, Includes 5 CALS OS Client Access Licenses 5-pack of Windows® Server 2008 Device CALs (Standard or Enterprise) Hard Drive Configuration Onboard SATA, 1-4 Hard Drives connected to onbaord SATA Controller -No RAID Hard Drives (Multi-Select) 250GB 7.2K RPM SATA 3.5" Cabled Hard Drive Power Cords Power Cord, NEMA 5-15P to C13, wall plug, 10 feet Network Adapter On-Board Single Gigabit Network Adapter Embedded Management Baseboard Management Controller Internal Optical Drive DVD Drive, Internal Server Accessories Keyboard and Optical Mouse, USB, Black, English, with 17 LCD Monitor 13- Antivirus for Server In case of better server security I have also selected an effective anti-virus system for the server establishment. I have found that McAfee VirusScan Enterprise is most excellent solution for this purpose. I have selected the product McAfee Endpoint Protection – Advanced Suite that is highly advanced system for the better security and protection of the business and corporate. Here below are some of main systems for the protection of server is presented: Safe surfing Offers Desktop firewall Content filtering Anti-spyware Policy Auditor Desktop host intrusion prevention Offere complete Device Control Anti-virus Helpful for Site blocking Anti-spam Network access control Onsite Management Figure 2- McAfee VirusScan Source http://www.mcafee.com/img/products/box-shots/endpoint-protection-advanced.png This system with all stated parts is available in very small price that is $60.60 per year. Also this security suit is very suitable and supportive for the Windows Server 2008 R2, Standard Edition. Here below I have outlined some of main characteristics of mcAfee Endpoint Protection – Advanced Suite: (McAfee, Inc. , 2011) and (McAfee, Inc., 2011) Reduce damage as of outbreaks Augment security confidence Save money by means of well-organized visibility and management Stop numerous threats Prevent malware in real time Obtain immediate, always-active protection Advantage as of strong, proven security Defend email programs Scan memory intended for concealed malicious code Protect besides dangers that target Microsoft applications 14- Network attached storage (NAS) In case of Network attached storage (NAS) establishment for our server establishment I chosen the IBM Network attached storage (NAS) products that offer a wide-range of network attachment potentials to a wide variety of host as well as client systems. The IBM System Storage N3000 Express series is a Modular Disk Storage Systems. That has the capability to Upgrade up to 136 TB of physical capacity as avoiding service disruption. The price of this NAS system is £3,914.36 (Shopping, 2010) Image of system is presented below: Figure 3- IBM Network attached storage (NAS) Source: http://www-03.ibm.com/systems/storage/network/n3000/appliance/index.html 15- Conclusion A server is a very important component of the network. It controls all the communication and resources of the network. The building of a server is a very critical process, which needs a lot of care and requirements analysis. In this research I have presented a deep and detailed analysis of some of main aspects and areas of the new server system building. In this scenario I have assessed and analyzed some of main aspects of the technology and hardware. I hope this report will offer a better insight into the overall technology selection for the server system building. Bibliography Ask Leo, 2011. So just what is a "Server" anyway? 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What is an Application Server?. [Online] Available at: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-an-application-server.htm [Accessed 27 January 2011]. Read More