Are you setting up a business? Trying to get your head around all the policies you need to adhere to and all the things you need to buy? If you have five or more workstations, you should add a server to the long list!
What is a server?
A server may sound a little daunting, but it is one of the most valuable pieces of kit you can invest in when running a business. The last time you heard this was probably when you were looking for web hosting). It acts as the heart of all of your systems, but try to think of it as a desktop with superpowers!
A server is far from an ordinary desktop. This is because a server is specifically engineered to manage systems and store data 24/7 while providing security, reliability, backups, and making file sharing possible.
Its most important superpower is probably the protection it gives your network. The server can allow you to give rights to specific individuals, keeping any sensitive data safe from unauthorised users.
What makes a server different from a desktop?
Your average PC will normally be set up with a single hard drive. A server, because of its more complex job, will usually benefit from multiple hard drives working in configuration to prevent data loss or any interruptions in workflow. This is especially important if you have multiple users accessing the same folders or files at once.
What’s more, as there is a copy of each employee’s desktop on the server, they can pick up where they left off – such as if their PC packs up or they have to rush home for an appointment – from another workstation or their laptop.
How you can care for your server
It will be up to you to perform maintenance on your server or ensure that your IT provider does this for you. Your provider might already do your web hosting and be responsible for other elements of your IT setup. Someone will need to ensure that the antivirus software is kept up to date, that software is updated, and that backups are being taken to prevent any loss of data should your server become corrupt.
As you can see, a server can be a lifeline for businesses and its reliability should not be taken for granted.