3.1 - Types of Server

Servers are powerful computers designed to assist processes within a network. There are many different types of server, each with a different purpose.

• File Server: Hosts files on a central hub which can be connected to other computers
• Backups can be done more easily as all files are stored on one machine
• If the file server goes down, no computers will be able to access files 
• Printer Server: Manages and controls connected printers in a network 
• If one printer goes wrong, jobs can be automatically assigned to another printer
• If the printer server goes down, tasks will not be able to be assigned to devices
• Applications Server: Stores and provides shared applications to users
• Updated are easily done as only the server's applications need to be updated, not each individual machine
• If the server goes down, no connected computers will have access to applications
• Web server: Handles and processes web page requests and displays them on a browser
• Mail server: Sends and receives email within a network and manages delivery and anti-spam systems
• Hypervisor: Allows operation of virtual machines from host computers

See 3.2 - Virtualization for more on this