Network Servers

1. Using a Server

If you only have two or three computers, you may not need a server.

You can connect your computers together and give them internet access through a router. But many businesses will find a server the more viable and useful option.

1.1 Use a network server to:

• Store and share your files on the server's hard disk.
• Share a single internet connection between all your computers.
• Manage incoming and outgoing email. You can store the contents of everyone's email boxes on the server, so they can access them wherever they are.
• Allow staff to access their files when out and about through a virtual private network (VPN).
• Centralise printing so that the server manages print jobs and lets you share printers.
• Run networked applications. For example, you can run your customer database from the server.
• Host an intranet, a kind of private website holding important information about your business.

1.2 Some applications may dramatically slow your network if you run them on your server.

They may require a separate server, used just for them. Such applications can include:

• Large shared databases.
• Complex internal mail systems.