| The personal computers or PCs you sit in front of | | | | solve that problem too. But I digress. |
| daily are probably connected to one or more servers. | | | | A server is much much more powerful than a |
| Your PC is one of many that connected to servers. | | | | personal computer. Consequently, it is much more |
| Servers perform a very valuable function in the | | | | expensive to buy. Many PCs and other resources |
| business world. | | | | (such as scanners and printers) use servers. In fact, |
| So, what's the difference between a PC that I use | | | | multiple PCs can and do work fine off of one server. |
| now and a server? Part of the problem with servers | | | | Servers also can be specialized. You can have a |
| is that they often look and sound like normal personal | | | | printer server where all of your printing projects go |
| computers. Networking professionals can tell the | | | | through that server to print. You can have an email |
| difference and you will be able to with enough | | | | server and most companies larger than a few |
| experience. Say, for instance, that servers were | | | | employees do use an email server to process and |
| round. If servers were round and not rectangular that | | | | "serve" up emails. This division of effort among |
| would solve a problem (looking like a normal PC) but | | | | servers creates an efficient and effective way to |
| cause a number of others. Mainly, servers often | | | | network. |
| reside with other server in what is called a rack. | | | | Companies can also use application servers, storage |
| Racks are tall and can house numerous servers. As it | | | | servers and other specialized servers. In fact, many |
| is now, most servers are rectangular and fit nicely | | | | companies use a variety of servers to meet their |
| into the racks. Perhaps, though, if they changed the | | | | networking needs every day. |
| shape of the racks to something round, that would | | | | |