A server that provides storage to network users is called, server storage. It helps secure, store, manage as well as access digital files and data. It also enables storage and accessing large and small amounts of data across shared network through the web. Such servers are usually less powerful when compared to the standard servers. Although is comes with less power, it does boast of having more storage access interface, storage space, retrieval utilities and specialised data management. At the same time, it forms the main NAS (network attached storage), DAS (Direct attached storage), along with numerous storage network technologies.
What are storage servers?
A server that provides storage to network users is called, server storage is also referred to as File servers. Their primary objective is to store computer files like wave files, images, movies, etc., between computers that are connected to the common network. However, programs or computational tasks are not performed by the file server for the client. It is designed to suit the client-server scheme, with clients being the workstation, making use of the storage.
What are the different types of storage server?
Storage servers are of two types, namely, non-dedicated and dedicated. The latter type has been designed to offer exclusive usage like the file server with workstations. It is designed to read as well as write databases and files.
Data file storage is achieved through formation of disk array. Developed technology can help run multiple disk drives as a unit. The disk array comes with a cache (considered to be much faster when compared to the magnetic disk) including RAID and an advanced storage visualization. The disk array type is dependent mainly on storage network.
On configuration of the machine and its going public on network, available storage space can be easily accessed by the users on storage server. They can ‘map’ the drives right on their computers. Once mapping is completed, the storage server is automatically identified by the computer’s OS as addition drive. On precise network configuration, permission is granted to all computers to execute, modify and create files from the server directly. It also adds additional shared storage space with each connected computer.
Storage server design
Its design is done considering access speed, storage space, budget, ease of administration, security and recoverability. Constant changing environment helps enhance design sophistication by adopting new technology and hardware and eliminating the old ones. It helps maintain same accessibility and compatibility. Queuing theory model employed by vendors help control loads, response time and throughput. Servers can incorporate dynamic loading-balancing system across connected hardware for request distribution.
Advantages of a server that provides storage to network users is called, server storage
Small companies previously did not make use of file servers due to high installation cost. Rather, they stored crucial documents on an individual desktop. But it is not safe or secure. However, the file server helps store file and is made available across all computers connected to the network. The same file can be accessed by many people at a time, if required.
