internet server....

[mrcaptainbob]

I know what a lap top is, a PC and even understand internet 'provider' such as Comcast or Wow. But what is a 'server'?

[HayZee518]

Server (computing) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A server is a running instance of an application (software) capable of accepting requests from the client and giving responses accordingly

[pushkins]

It is the physical machinery that is used for the web access. You have seen those TV commercials where you see row after row of towers with all the little lights blinking away .....that's a server.
Comcast is a provider, they get the service to and from you via cables, once at their hub their server connects you with the rest of the web and all other servers world wide.

[Speedbump]

On a much smaller scale, we have a server at work. We have 4 computers hooked up to the server which holds the data from all four machines. The server is simply another desktop computer who's hard drive holds data that is shared between the other 4 computers. We use a software program called Peachtree to generate Invoices, keep track of inventory etc. When an entry is made to the server, all four computers will see it immediately. If we entered data onto our own computers instead of the server, we couldn't share the data.

[mrcaptainbob]

Okay. So a server can be described as nothing more than a giant, over sized hard drive kind of thing? Only connecting many, many people like me? As in, say tens of thousands?

[Speedbump]

Yup, pretty much. Maybe not so much a giant hard drive as much as many hard drives and computers to keep up with the load.

[pushkins]

Think of a server like an old telphone exchange, you called the exchange and ask to be connected to Betty, the operator pulled out one plug and moved it over to another position and you got connected. In this case you ask the operator (the server.....say...... google) a question, google connect to thousands of other servers to find matches to the question you asked.
In simplistic terms, you called the operator and asked to speak to Betty, but there are 10 Betty's living in town so the operator connects you to all 10 Betty's and lets you talk to them all to work out which one you want.

[mrcaptainbob]

Clears it up. Thanks for the help. All that's left now is to explain the 'Betty' thing to my wife.....YIKES!!!