Network Servers

1. Using a Server

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

You can link most desktop computers together without a network server, using a simple technique called peer-to-peer networking (see Networks and communications). But this option is not viable for most businesses.

1.1 Use a general-purpose server to:

• Store and share your files on the server's hard disk.
• Centralise printing, so that the server manages the print queue and lets you share resources such as printers.
• Run networked software applications such as groupware or a database.

1.2 Use a dedicated server to run any software applications that would dramatically slow the rest of your network.

These applications may include:

• Large shared databases.
• Internal mail systems.