Server
Network Server
A computer or software process that listens on a network port and responds to requests from client devices — serving web pages, email, files, DNS answers, game state, or any other resource the client needs.
The client-server model underlies almost all networked applications. A server listens on one or more ports, waiting for clients to initiate connections. When a browser requests a web page, it acts as a client connecting to a web server on port 443. The web server processes the request and returns the content. The same physical machine can run multiple server processes simultaneously — a web server on 443, a database on 5432, an SSH daemon on 22 — each differentiated by port number. "Server" refers equally to the hardware, the OS instance, or the individual software process depending on context.
Common server types
| Server type | Protocol | Port | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Web server | HTTP/HTTPS | 80/443 | Serves web pages and APIs |
| DNS server | DNS | 53 | Resolves domain names to IPs |
| Mail server (SMTP) | SMTP | 25/587 | Sends and relays email |
| File server (NAS) | SMB/NFS | 445/2049 | Shared file storage |
| DHCP server | DHCP | 67/68 | Assigns IP addresses to clients |
| Game server | UDP (custom) | Varies | Maintains game state |
Physical vs virtual vs cloud servers
A bare-metal server is dedicated physical hardware — all resources are yours, no sharing. A VPS (Virtual Private Server) is a VM on shared hardware; you get isolated CPU/RAM allocations and root access at lower cost. A cloud instance (AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine) is an on-demand VM — you pay per hour and can scale up or down instantly. Serverless functions take this further: you deploy code without managing any server concept at all, paying only per invocation. The progression trades control for convenience and cost flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a server and a regular computer?
Any computer can act as a server — the term describes the role. Dedicated server hardware adds ECC RAM, redundant power, hot-swap drives, and remote management for 24/7 reliability. In the cloud, a "server" is usually a VM on shared physical hardware.
What is a VPS?
A Virtual Private Server is a VM running on shared physical hardware, isolated by a hypervisor. You get root access and dedicated resource allocations at a fraction of dedicated server cost — sufficient for most web apps, APIs, and small databases.
Why does server location affect my speed test results?
Latency scales with physical distance — roughly 5 ms per 1,000 km of fibre. A nearby test server shows lower latency than a distant one. Speed tests use geographically close servers to measure your local ISP performance accurately, not cross-continent network conditions.