wat is a server?

Question

how to set up my own server?where to buy a server?

how much does it cost to maintain my own server?

how much does it cost to maintain my own commercial websites n my own domain names?

wat other costs r there ??


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Answer 1

Kate has a good point in that you might have better luck asking these kinds of questions in a computer forum, but it's true that you never know who might be browsing the questions.

A server is basically just a computer. Your home PC can, technically speaking, be configured to function as a "server," but it probably lacks the capability to really work as a server should.

What makes a server different from your home PC is that the server is designed to be able to "serve" multiple clients. Let's use an example. On your PC you might have your various files (Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and so on) that only you access. A server could be used in a business environment to store everybody's documents in both shared and/or in protected folders, so everything is up on the server.

Servers can also store and run programs that are accessed by many people. For example, you might have one instance of a particular application that is accessed by many different people whose computers are attached to that common server.

In the case of the internet, so-called "web servers" can manage the content, as well as perform various business functions, that people can access via internet connectivity. Things like that are a bit more complicated to set up and maintain than an internal (or "intranet") server environment.

A major advantage of having all this stuff in a common location is that it's easier to do things like back up data, as well as maintain and troubleshoot applications, since they're only running in one location.

The skills required to set up a server depend on what you're doing with it. You'll need to know a bit about operating systems, since working with a server necessitates dealing with this level of the machine. Setting up a relatively simple home network where files are stored and shared on a common platform isn't that hard, but requires some understanding of networking protocols. When you start talking about setting up and running web servers, it gets a little more complex, and if you're jumping into heavy database management, there are very specialized skills needed to handle that sort of thing.

The price of a server will depend on the capacity you need (how much storage, how much CPU power), and your preference for operating systems. These days there is a preference for UNIX and LINIX over things like IBM's OS systems, even though IBM servers (like the iSeries) can be partitioned to run multiple operating systems. To get something where you can maintain your own web site that has some static content and not much else, you might be able to use a relatively high-powered PC type device that might cost you $3,000 or $4,000 USD. Jumping up to an HP or IBM system will add a zero or two to those figures at least, and that's just the entry-level price.

You can get hosting companies to do ALL this stuff for you, and depending on what you are trying to accomplish, the price for hosting can be anywhere from $100 USD a month on up. Hosting companies can also take care of registering your domain names and all that, and you can include e-mail as part of the service. If you're trying to do this for a business application, and if you're a start-up, using a hosting company is the best bet. They can also provide help on web design and layout. Consultation and development for that kind of thing typically starts at around $1500 USD, if the company is smart enough to use web development tools. Companies that want to "re-invent the wheel" each time and give you a customized application will be a lot more expensive.

So unless you're REALLY into the technology part, a hosting company is the best bet.

If you are into the techy stuff, then you can do all this yourself, but you'll have to make some capital expenditures up front to get the equipment you need, plus learn the skills required to get and keep this stuff working.

Have fun!
mz

Answer 2

Servers are expensive...you can purchase domain names for cheap and have them hosted on servers for pretty cheap a month (IIRC ~ $15). As far as other costs...if you are making your own site then you won't have to spend any money on developement, otherwise you will have to but a template, or hire a web designer, which can run up a big bill ( > $500). Templates are around $200. GL

Answer 3

A server is who brings you your food at a restaurant.

Answer 4

the site is down for some unknown reason and so is arberms you wont be able to log on for quite some time now.

Answer 5

Why do you keep asking computer question in the travel section ? You asked many times now -
in travel, server is a waiter or waitress.
and a 'wat' is a Buddhist monastery in Thailand