A server is both a running instance of same software that if capable of accepting requests from clients, and the computer that executes such software. Servers operate within a client-server architecture, in which “servers” are computer programs running to serve the requests of other programs, the “clients”. This may be to share data, information or hardware and software resources. Typical computing servers are database server, file server, mail server, point server, web server, gaming server, and application server. In the hardware sense, a computer primarily designed as a server is generally specialized in same way for its task. Sometimes more powerful and reliable than standard desktop computers, they may conversely be simpler and more disposable if clustered in large numbers. A storage server is a type of server that is used to store, access, secure and manages digital data, files and services.
It is a purpose built server used for storing and accessing small to a large amount of data over a shared network or through the Internet. A storage server may also be called a file server. Entry level storage system comes with a single controller. If one controller fails there is no alternate path for the data. Dual controller systems give full redundancy. With good management software, dual controller systems give load balancing and path failover features and ensure high availability. ISCSI, Fiber channel interface ISCSI interfaces offer lowest cost with 1 GBp/s interface with host systems. With host systems, there is distance limitation 20 m Fiber channel interface gives maximum data transfer of 4GB/switch the host systems. With the fiber channel interface you can also eliminate the distance barrier with the host servers.
