Difference between Server and Dedicated Server?

[Aakarshan.d]

hi there.....
can any one explain me the basic differences between normal server and dedicated server? similarly can you explain their applications from technical point of view?

[Devasis]

SERVER:

A server is a computer program that provides services to other computer programs and their users working on it, in the same or other computer. The general computer that runs a server program is also referred to as server.

Services can be supplied centrally with the help of a server; in other cases all the machines on a network have the same status with no dedicated server, and services are supplied with peer-to-peer network connectivity.

Server used as a term, as in server operating system, refers to the product's ability to handle multiple requests, and is said to be server-grade. A server operating system is intended or better enabled to run server applications. The differences between the server and workstation versions of a product can vary from the removal of an arbitrary software limits due to licensing, as in the case of Windows 2000, or the addition of bundled applications as in Mac OS X Server.

[Solomon]

this one about Dedicated Server:

A dedicated hosting service, dedicated server, or managed hosting service is a type of Internet hosting where the client leases an entire server not shared with anyone. This is more flexible than shared hosting, as organizations have full control over the server, including choice of operating system, hardware, etc. Server administration can usually be provided by the hosting company as an add-on service. In some cases a dedicated server can offer less overhead and a larger return on investment. Dedicated servers are most often housed in data centers, providing redundant power sources. In contrast, server hardware is owned by the provider and in some cases they will provide support for your operating system or applications.

[MrChris-]

General Server supports the following Operating System:

Basic Operating Systems used for servers are FreeBSD, Solaris, and Linux are generally derived from UNIX. UNIX is a minicomputer operating system, and as servers gradually replaced traditional minicomputers, UNIX turned into a logical and efficient choice of operating system for the servers. UNIX-based operating systems are free in both senses, as well as are popular.

Server-oriented operating systems tend to have certain features in common that make them more suitable for the server environment, such as
GUI not available or optional, ability to reconfigure and update both hardware and software to some extent without restart, advanced backup facilities to permit regular and frequent online backups of critical data, transparent data transfer between different volumes or devices, flexible and advanced networking capabilities, automation capabilities such as daemons in UNIX and services in Windows, and tight system security, with advanced user, resource, data, and memory protection.

Server-oriented operating systems can in many cases interact with hardware sensors to detect conditions such as overheating, processor and disk failure, and consequently alert an operator and/or take remedial measures itself.

Because servers must supply a restricted range of services to perhaps many users while a desktop computer must carry out a wide range of functions required by its user, the requirements of an operating system for a server are different from those of a desktop machine. While it is possible for an operating system to make a machine both provide services and respond quickly to the requirements of a user, it is usual to use different operating systems on servers and desktop machines. Some operating systems are supplied in both server and desktop versions with similar user interface.

The desktop versions of the Windows and Mac OS X operating systems are deployed on a minority of servers, as are some proprietary mainframe operating systems, such as z/OS. The dominant operating systems among servers are UNIX-based and open source kernel distributions.[citation needed]

The rise of the microprocessor-based server was facilitated by the development of Unix to run on the x86 microprocessor architecture. The Microsoft Windows family of operating systems also runs on x86 hardware, and since Windows NT have been available in versions suitable for server use.

While the role of server and desktop operating systems remains distinct, improvements in the reliability of both hardware and operating systems have blurred the distinction between the two classes. Today, many desktop and server operating systems share similar code bases, differing mostly in configuration. The shift towards web applications and middle ware platforms has also lessened the demand for specialist application servers.

[Calvin K]

Operating System for DEDICATED SERVER:

In terms of Availability, price and familiar with employee often determines which operating systems are offered on dedicated servers. Variations of Linux such as open source operating systems are often included at no charge to the customer. Commercial operating systems include Microsoft Windows Server, provided through a special program called Microsoft SPLA. Red Hat Enterprise is a commercial version of Linux offered to hosting providers on a monthly fee basis. The monthly fee provides OS updates through the Red Hat Network using an application called up2date. Other operating systems are available from the open source community at no charge. These include CentOS, Fedora Core, Debian, and many other Linux distributions or BSD systems FreeBSD, NetBSD, OpenBSD.

Support for any of the operating systems above typically depends on the level of management offered with a particular dedicated server plan. Operating system support may include updates to the core system in order to acquire the latest security fixes, patches, and system-wide vulnerability resolutions. Updates to core operating systems include kernel upgrades, service packs, application updates, and security patches that keep server secure and safe. Operating system updates and support relieves the burden of server management from the dedicated server owner.

[Lillebror]

Basic Software / Hardware used by an ordinary SERVER:

In terms of SOFTWARE:

Server uses an Keyword, as in server operating system, refers to the product's ability to handle multiple requests, and is said to be server-grade. A server operating system is intended or better enabled to run server applications. The differences between the server and workstation versions of a product can vary from the removal of an arbitrary software limits due to licensing, as in the case of Windows 2000, or the addition of bundled applications as in Mac OS X Server.

In terms of HARDWARE:

A server can also refer to a computer that has been set aside to run a specific server application. For example, when the software Apache HTTP Server is used as the web server for a company's website, the computer running Apache is also called the web server. Server applications can be divided among server computers over an extreme range, depending upon the workload.

Server is also used as a designation for computer models intended for use in running server applications under heavy workloads, also called operating units often unattended and for an extended period of time. While any workstation computer is capable of acting as a server, a server computer usually has special features intended to make it more suitable. These features can include a faster CPU, faster and more plentiful RAM, and larger hard drives. More obvious distinctions include redundancy in power supplies, network connections, and storage devices as well as the modular design of so-called Blade servers often used in server farms.

A server appliance refers to network-connected computer appliances or appliance hardware that provide specific, dedicated applications to a network. Use of the term appliance indicates the marriage of software and hardware in a single system that is not heavily customizable such as Google Search Appliance. Such appliances are expected to work out-of-the-box with little customization and sometimes remain the sole property of the company that produced them. The simplest appliances include switches, routers, gateways, and print server.

[jesse]

SOFTWARE for dedicated server:

Providers often bill for dedicated servers on a fixed monthly price to include specific software packages. Over the years, software vendors realized the significant market opportunity to bundle their software with dedicated servers. They have since started introducing pricing models that allow dedicated hosting providers the ability to purchase and resell software based on reduced monthly fees.

Microsoft offers software licenses through a program called the Service Provider License Agreement. The SPLA model provides use of Microsoft products through a monthly user or processor based fee. SPLA software includes the Windows Operating System, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SharePoint and shoutcast hosting, and many other server based products.

Dedicated Server Providers usually offer the ability to select the software you want installed on a dedicated server. Depending on the overall usage of the server, this will include your choice of operating system, database, and specific applications. Servers can be customized and tailored specific to the customer’s needs and requirements.

Other software applications available are specialized web hosting specific programs called control panels. Control panel software is an all inclusive set of software applications, server applications, and automation tools that can be installed on a dedicated server. Control panels include integration into web servers, database applications, programming languages, application deployment, server administration tasks, and include the ability to automate tasks via a web based front end.

Most dedicated servers are packaged with a control panel. Control panels are often confused with management tools, but these control panels are actually web based automation tools created to help automate the process of web site creation and server management. Control panels should not be confused with a full server management solution by a dedicated hosting provider.

[SalVatore]

SERVER as on INTERNET:


Almost the entire structure of the Internet is based upon a client-server model. High-level root nameservers, DNS servers, and routers direct the traffic on the internet. There are millions of servers connected to the Internet, running continuously throughout the world.

Among the many services provided by Internet servers are:
the World Wide Web,
the Domain Name System,
e-mail,
FTP file transfer,
instant messaging,
streaming audio and video, and
online gaming.

Virtually every action taken by an ordinary Internet user requires one or more interactions with one or more servers.

There are also technologies that operate on an inter-server level. Other services do not use dedicated servers; for example peer-to-peer file sharing, some implementations of telephony (e.g., Skype), and supplying television programs to several users.

Routine Application of SERVER:

Any computer or device serving out applications or services can technically be called a server. In an office or enterprise environment, the network server is easy to identify. A DSL/Cable modem router qualifies as a server because it provides a computer with application services like IP address assignment (via DHCP) and NAT, which is the firewall that helps protect a computer from external threats.[citation needed] iTunes software implements a music server to stream music between computers. Many home users create shared folders and printers. Another example are the many private servers for such hosting online games such as Everquest, World of Warcraft, Counter-Strike and EVE-Online, which is currently hosted on the largest server used in the game industry

[Dr. V]

Bandwidth and Connectivity:

Bandwidth refers to the data transfer rate or the amount of data that can be carried from one point to another in a given time period (usually a second) and is often represented in bits of data per second bit/s. For example, visitors to your server, web site, or applications utilize bandwidth as the traffic moves from your server to the Internet and vice versa. Connectivity refers to the “access providers” that supply bandwidth, or data transfer rate, through various connection points across a network or footprint to one or multiple data centers where dedicated servers are housed.

Bandwidth measurements are defined per telecom standards as the following:

1. First – 95th (measured using average bits and speed of transfer)
   
2. Second – Unmetered (measured in speed or bits)
   
3. Third – Total Transfer (measured in bytes transferred)
   
4. 95th Method: Line Speed, billed on the 95th percentile, average or peak usage, refers to the speed in which data flows from the server or device. The measurement can be compared to mph (Miles Per Hour), or how fast something travels. Line Speed is measured using bits per second, kilobits per second, megabits per second, and gigabits per second.
   
5. Unmetered Method: The second bandwidth measurement is Unmetered service where providers cap or control the “top line” speed for a server. Top line speed in unmetered bandwidth is the total Mbit/s allocated to the server and configured on the switch level. For example, if you purchase 10 Mbit/s unmetered bandwidth, the top line speed would be 10 Mbit/s. 10 Mbit/s would result in the provider controlling the speed transfers take place while providing the ability for the dedicated server owner to not be charged with bandwidth overages. Unmetered bandwidth services usually incur an additional charge.
   
6. Total Transfer Method: Some providers will calculate the Total Transfer, the measurement of actual data leaving and arriving, measured in bytes. Measurement between providers varies and includes one of the following equations:

Method 1: IN TRAFFIC + OUT TRAFFIC = TOTAL TRANSFER
Method 2: IN TRAFFIC = TOTAL TRANSFER
Method 3: OUT TRAFFIC = TOTAL TRANSFER


One of the reasons people choose to outsource dedicated servers is the availability of high powered networks from multiple providers. As dedicated server providers utilize massive amounts of bandwidth, they are able to secure lower volume based pricing to include a multi-provider blend of bandwidth. To achieve the same type of network without a multi-provider blend of bandwidth, a large investment in core routers, long term contracts, and expensive monthly bills would need to be in place. The expenses needed to develop a network without a multi-provider blend of bandwidth does not make sense economically for hosting providers.

Many dedicated server providers include a service level agreement based on network uptime. Some dedicated server hosting providers offer a 100% uptime guarantee on their network. By securing multiple vendors for connectivity and using redundant hardware, providers are able to guarantee higher uptimes; usually between 99-100% uptime if they are a higher quality provider. One aspect of higher quality providers is they are most likely to be multi-homed across multiple quality uplink providers, which in turn, provides significant redundancy in the event one goes down in addition to potentially improved routes to destinations.

Bandwidth consumption over the last several years has shifted from a per megabit usage model to a per gigabyte usage model. Bandwidth was traditionally measured in line speed access that included the ability to purchase needed megabits at a given monthly cost. As the shared hosting model developed, the trend towards gigabyte or total bytes transferred, replaced the megabit line speed model so dedicated server providers started offering per gigabyte.

Prominent players in the dedicated server market offer large amounts of bandwidth ranging from 500 gigabytes to 3000 gigabytes using the overselling model. It is not uncommon for major players to provide dedicated servers with 1Terabyte (TB) of bandwidth or higher. Usage models based on the byte level measurement usually include a given amount of bandwidth with each server and a price per gigabyte after a certain threshold has been reached. Expect to pay additional fees for bandwidth overage usage. For example, if a dedicated server has been given 3000 gigabytes of bandwidth per month and the customer uses 5000 gigabytes of bandwidth within the billing period, the additional 2000 gigabytes of bandwidth will be invoiced as bandwidth overage. Each provider has a different model for billing. As of yet, no industry standards have been set.

[judryn27]

valuable info.. thanks for sharing it.