What are Database Servers?

An article by Jorge Reis    Comments Off

Database server is a program that connects the information stored in a database to other computers or computer programs. Most of the database management systems provide this type of function, while others count on the client-server model in order to access the database. The client-server model means that one computer, called the client, requests information from the server, which is the second computer. This is the type of model that most database servers use in order to function. There is also the master-slave model wherein the master or main servers are in a primary location, while the slave servers are considered to be the proxies.

The Purpose of Database Servers

Database servers are usually computers that have multiprocessors as well as disk arrays for storage purposes. This is to ensure that the storage of information is stable enough to avoid any problems during accessing of information as well as storing of data. The purpose of database servers is to make the information available to all relevant users, such as in a company where most employees need to access the same information stored in the database. Database servers don’t simply act as a bridge or connection, but it also sort the information entered by the users. This is quite important since most companies transact with customers everyday. Any modifications done in the database are also read by the server, and it also stores them in its location to be available to other users. This is to facilitate the ease of updates as well as processing of information. The database server is also the one that studies the information loaded into it to be able to generate a report.

Database servers allow multiple computer programs to access the information stored inside it since the servers are the ones that handle the core or central storage. Most database servers require the right kind of hardware in order to handle multiple accessing of information. Since databases are used early on, there are now different versions available. Database servers have also evolved into servers with the ability to handle large numbers of information and with an added feature that present the gathered information to the user in various formats. Among the outputs that database servers generate are web pages. Database servers also allow inputs of orders from customers for ecommerce.

Choosing the Database Server

There are still different types of servers out in the market, and it is best for you to have the knowledge of the uses of each type. Though some of them may have similarities, still, there are differences to be found. There is the difference between database servers, server hardware and the operating system of the server.

When we say server hardware, we are talking about the physical aspect of the server, which is the computer or the machine. The operating system, on the other hand, is the interface that connects the machine to the other applications which also handles the database server. The database server, as we all know, is the one that stores the information.

All in all, a company needs all of these components to make sure that their stored information can be accessed at all times.