server vs desktop

[userfriendly]

Whats the difference between the 2? I know servers use a different case and processor and they cost a heck of a lot more. And thats all I know.

[DonT]

Whats the difference between the 2? I know servers use a different case and processor and they cost a heck of a lot more. And thats all I know.

From what I reckon, servers are using different hardware technologies which are more robust. Some systems have built in redundancy systems in both processors and storage.

Lastly, servers are designed to work 24/7 with MTBF factors which are higher that your off the shelf desktops.

[froshie1]

You can also look at its function.

Server - it gives out different kinds of services to the client.
Desktop - the one that connects to the server. It can also be stand alone wherein all the interface needed by the user are there.

[pakupakupaku]

add : Servers have multiple everything, Multiple HDD hot swappable(RAID), double Power Supplies hot swappable, Multiple Processors hot swappable and can accept tons on RAM to minimize it from crashing or being off line. Which makes it expensive. Although some servers have basic functions such that even a Pentium 1 or lower system would be more than enough.

[ghosthunter]

Whats the difference between the 2? I know servers use a different case and processor and they cost a heck of a lot more. And thats all I know.

Hardware-wise, servers would/might have a more robust powersupply and even redundant power supplies (one or more extra power supplies to take over the job of the primary PS if it fails). It would be using SCSI type connectors to it's hard disks to achieve certain requirements like multiple hard-drives (up to 7 per scsi), hot swap, RAID configuration, etc. A server might also have more than one processor CPU. In the time when the first Intel Pentium chip was king, I have been setting up dual Pentium servers. Since a server continuously runs a serious amount of hardware that gets hot, it must have serious amount of cooling as well.

BTW, with more modern techniques, sometimes a server isn't anymore a single powerful computer. It might be a group of simpler computers linked in a network system called a "cluster". We were doing early experiments in clustering when I left my employment to seek other opportunities.

[userfriendly]

You can also look at its function.

Server - it gives out different kinds of services to the client.
Desktop - the one that connects to the server. It can also be stand alone wherein all the interface needed by the user are there.

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

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?

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?

[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.

[mr_incredible]

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.

yes, you are correct. dumb clients do not process data locally. thin clients can sometimes be used for this function.

ghosthunter mentioned server clusters a few post back. We once did this a few years back by clustering 4 low-end PCs to handle bioinformatics processing.

*userfriendly. can I just inquire on what piqued your interest in the subject of servers? any project you had in mind using servers that might be of interest to some Tsikoteers here?

[userfriendly]

mr_incredible,

Just saw newspaper ads selling servers. Was wondering why they cost so much more than desktops.

[Mguy]

mr_incredible,

Just saw newspaper ads selling servers. Was wondering why they cost so much more than desktops.

In layman's term na lang, they are both PCs and can do nearly the same thing.

Pero mas fault-tolerant ang servers. A typical server usually has two of everything, 2 power supply, 2 hard disk drive doing mirroring, 2 network cards etc, all for just in case if one fails, you got another spare running. So, in short, mas reliable ang server to work 24/7, unlike the PC na pinapatay mo at the end of the day.

If you may ask bakit kailangan ito, depende kasi sa requirements. Think of applications that run 24/7 such as ATMs, websites, credit card swiping machines. All of these applications has to run on servers kasi kung nag-down ito for the simple reason na pumutok ang power supply, or nasira ang hard disk, malaking kwarta mawawala at perwisyo ito sa mga clients mo rin kapag di available itong mga ito.

So, if you need a reliable PC, buy a server. If you plan only to use Word/Excel/Powerpoint and surf the web, buy a desktop workstation.

[mr_incredible]

mr_incredible,

Just saw newspaper ads selling servers. Was wondering why they cost so much more than desktops.

I see. The high costs of servers is not just because of the hardware, but also the software (server editions of OS are typically used for this), as well as the support provided by the manufacturers.

So, if you need a reliable PC, buy a server. If you plan only to use Word/Excel/Powerpoint and surf the web, buy a desktop workstation.

You still can have a desktop that's reliable enough to run almost 24/7 without purchasing a server, if your needs are those mentioned by Mguy above. You just need to add a few peripherals (eg, a surge suppressor, UPS, another hard drive for a RAID configuration, etc.) as well as critical and hardware monitoring software to make sure you are alerted if your PC is nearing the failure point.

However, for critical applications like those mentioned by Mguy, you really need to use a server.

[Mguy]

In addition, a desktop workstation usually comes with a 1 year warranty, the server with 3 years, with options for extended warranty and preventive maintenance service.