Server is a term that describes a computer that performs a role that serves other computers. As a business grows, it will reach a point where a computer dedicated to the task of running the office computer network will be required, this computer is the server. Simplistically, in hardware terms a server computer isn't very different to a standard office desktop computer, usually it's a little larger, has a lot more disk space and memory and probably has a backup device such as a tape drive.

Often, the server will just be literally another spare computer on the office computer network where people save their work. It may have a printer connected to it that allows the other computers in the office to use it without needing a cable from each computer to the printer. The is usually configured as a peer-to-peer network, which means all computers have an equal standing, and no one computer stores passwords or has a centralised role.

Once an office has expanded to around five computers, a 'proper' server will become a useful and often essential part of the office computer network. At this point, the network is changed to a 'client/server' network. This means the server becomes the central focus of the network, and controls security on files, peoples ability to use the network computers (logons) and so forth.

In a modern Windows network, the server computer runs a special version of Windows tailored to perform server tasks. The current version is called Windows 2008 Server, however many businesses continue to use Windows 2003 Server, Windows 2000 Server and even Windows NT Server from the early-nineties. Once a server computer has a server-specific version of Windows installed, it can then perform the most commonplace server roles immediately, such as centrally storing files and controlling who has access to them, sharing printers, allowing remote users to connect to it plus other smaller roles.

Frequently a server will then have additional server software that performs specific tasks to serve the office computer network. A good example is an email server software package such as Microsoft Exchange. This enables all users to have email on their computers, to be able to share address books and diaries and to access email via a web browser from outside the office.

Microsoft Small Business Server 2003 (and soon 2008)

Microsoft produce an exceptional value server package called Small Business Server which provides the same server software as can be purchased separately, but all combined into a single package aimed at small businesses. The software is limited to only supporting 75 users, which is why it's not used by the big companies, but for most small businesses, this is more than adequate and provides a comprehensive server solution for their needs for a low price.

- Our skills and experience

Compology employ Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSE) to ensure that high technical standards are maintained. This means you'll get quality support with your server installation by people that fully understand the technology. When considering who should provide your information technology support, check that they are MCSE qualified. Click the logo for more information from Microsoft, this will open in a new window.

We're used to complicated server setups, and are competant supporting:

• Microsoft Windows 2008 Server and Small Business Server 2008 (we're testing the pre-release version now)
  
• Microsoft Windows 2003 Server and Small Business Server 2003 Standard and Premium Editions
  
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and Server
• Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Professional and Server
• Microsoft Exchange 2000 and 2003

• Microsoft Windows Vista in all it's many variants (Ultimate, Business, Home Premium, Home Basic etc)
  
• Microsoft Windows XP Home and Professional

We are also skilled with Windows 95/98/Me but do not consider this a business software operating system. We can help your business move to a reliable and robust desktop software operating system from these clients and can discuss with you why we think this is important.

- How a server can benefit your business

Backups are always the most neglected part of any businesses information technology strategy, and having all business files centrally located so that only one machine needs to be carefully backed up makes a big difference, that machine should be your first server. Centrally storing your data on a server makes it easily available to all staff and with the right setup can be made available from anywhere that has an internet connection.

If you're ready to talk to us about server requirements, please get in touch.