Diff between Server and PC

[yuan189]

Hi people, I've a few questions,

how does it diff between this two?

Will I be also able to build a Server from scratch just like a normal PC? Will the cost cheaper? What are the basic I need to build up a server?

For me, I've a old PC which have used for quite a number of years but still is working well (except performance though). But since one can host a website using a PC, why bother a server ( as I don't know whats the diff between them)? You see, a PC can be on for many days without any fail but how come there are so many occurance on Server being down?

Hope someone could enlighten me here. Thanks in advanced.

[bassman]

This is such a great issue that it would take about 200 posts to cover it all (and it probably still be incomplete!). Therefore, I'll try to explain it in simple terms. What you refer to as a "PC" (a machine you use for your regular work, gaming, whatever), I'll refer to as a workstation. First of all, any workstation can become a server and any server can become a workstation, as they are both computers; keep reading . The basic difference between a server and a workstation is the software they run: the workstation will have "productivity" software like word processors, development tools, games, e-mail programs (known as e-mail clients). A server will probably have software that allows other computers (like workstations and also servers) to connect to him - for example: an e-mail server will have a software package installed that receives connections from other computers and manages whatever the software does, like storing e-mail so it can be read, sent, etc... This introduces a concept know as a Client-Server architecture: the server provides a service and the client (workstation, for example) uses it). A more specific example that you mentioned: a web server will have software (and this software provides a service) that allows a computer to connect to that server and it's software and access the webpages stored there. This was a basic approach to the software side of the question.
As to hardware, some brands provide computers that are built specifically for being servers; they include some tools useful for that purpose like special cooling (because they stay on most of the time), RAID devices for hard drives (wich increase security and performance), Hot Swap disk units (enables you to unplug a defective device without shutting down the machine), and so on, so on, so on...The hardware equipment will vary, normally according to the desired purpose of the server. A workstation, on the other hand, as it will be directed for the usage I described above, will probably have a larger HD, a good graphics card (you normally don't use a server for gaming, but you do it with the workstation), a sound card, etc...etc...etc...This conditions will vary according to a large number of conditions.

As to your question, yes, you can use your old PC for a server. Make sure it can take the software you are installing (plenty memory is always good; once again, your needs depend on what you want to do) and install the server software you desire. My suggestion is you give Windows NT Server and Microsoft's Internet Information Services a try, as they are quite intuitive - very important: if you do install the software I mentioned, keep it patched and read it's administrator manual thouroughly. Also, keep your server safe using firewall and AV software. This can answer one of your questions; the main reason why servers are sometimes down is software; if it has bugs or is wrongly configured (administrated) and the server itself is not properly protected, it won't be difficult for someone to attack you.

As I said, this is a very simplist approach to the subject. This matter has originated hundreds of different software and manuls consisting in thousands of pages (each!). Visit www.tucows.com for free Linux server tools, and www.microsoft.com for free...help and tutorials on their paid software

Hope I helped and you're still awake Admin, sorry for the long post

[yuan189]

way to go, bassman. I've been reading carefully everything you've mention and really would like to sum all up to combine it into an article. Would you allow me? Would be glad more people with their own point of view to give some points over PC and Server. bassman, you rocks. It certainly enlighten me somewhere.

Also, I've Apache, IIS installed on my current PC now. I have two domain names on my hands now, would I be able to instantly create a virtual space now? Like configure the domain ips or something, then connect to the internet and refer someone to www.mydomain.com to see my project?

[yuan189]

Hi, I would also like to point out something which I think most people who are paying for a web host would be interested. Thus now, if I host my site using my PC, where will the bandwith comes into play? Is it my memory? How is it being use and what will happen if it had been used up?

[AllGamer]

Yes you can

with APACHE you can host both of the Domain names in the same machine

[csamuels]

Originally posted by yuan189
Hi, I would also like to point out something which I think most people who are paying for a web host would be interested. Thus now, if I host my site using my PC, where will the bandwith comes into play? Is it my memory? How is it being use and what will happen if it had been used up?

In theory, the pc being the web host will process requests for pages to be displayed along with any server side applications on your host. So if you have a fast broadband connection, effcient processor, enough memory (DDR prolly recommended for its speed)....then you should be good to go.

If your memory fills up, the host is liable to crash, stop responding to requests. Thereby, might make the host hang / freeze and make the host unreachable ( They will know the host is there but any pages it requests won't be displayed).

When I say pages i also mean file that may be available for d/l

[jmichna]

The posts in this thread have all been excellent, especially bassman's....

One other point regarding server hardware:
"Servers" are built to be fault-tolerant and redundant, not speed demons. A pc designed from the ground up as a server will use error-correcting memory... lots of it, too. I wouldn't spec out a server with less than 1gb ram today. Dual processors are the norm. SCSI RAID is usally employed, probably RAID-5 being most common (striping with parity distributed among all the hard disks). The drives used are normally hot-swappable. Redundant power suppliers are used, also hot-swappable. Sometimes, the cooling fans are also hot swappable as well. Ball-bearing fans are always used, never sleev-bearing. Usually, the video capabilities are more of an after thought, since a "server" only needs "administration"... in other words, don't think that because you are building a server, you are going to have an excellent gaming machine... actually you'll end up with something that is high performance but in a totally different area. Memory timings and bus timings, and all voltages are kept default to minimize risk and downtime.

Normally, you would keep servers in a dedicated environment, with airconditioning keeping humidty around 45-55% and temperatures below 22°C (75°F). A non-water fire-suppression system is usually used (Halon is still real popular). The server environment is also usually located on a floor that will be relatively vibration-free (concrete, ground - or below ground - level. Power supply feeding the server environment must also be steady and fault-tolerant, but that''s a whole 'nother topic.
jmichna