server vs desktop

[artpogi]

So you mean, if you configure a desktop to throw out data to other pcs, then in effect its acting as a server.

correct!

but bear in mind that there are many types of server. one of the most popular is the one you mentioned which throws out data to clients, that is a file server.

but there are also servers which doesn't throw out data to clients, these type of servers normally host services like authentication services (NIS/LDAP server), license services (Flexlm) to name a few.

When does one need to use a high end server instead of a desktop acting like a server? I imagine its when your running mission critical programs like a huge database or a point of sale system for a big supermarket or department store. Is this correct?

many factors, like what type of data it will be serving. if it's gonna serve video and images like our server, then SCSI is your answer.

kung simpleng text data lang naman like a record/database pwede na siguro ang SATA, but, it will depend on the volume of data it will be serving and the number of client accessing the server.

Also, I heard there is such a thing called "dumb terminals". From what I gather, its a pc without a hard drive or something like it. When is this used and will you need a server to feed it data?

I don't know much about this but maybe the concept of this is the client accesses the software and data from a server. So basically the terminal is just a display, all the work are done remotely at the server.

paki korek na lang po kung mali.