Server Q & A: Why do small businesses need servers? (1)

This article is based on the network interview "small business users three questions three answers, Question one: what is a server? Why pay attention to the server ?" .

Bireny Sipher: now we are going to discuss what servers are. It is challenging and frustrating for small business users to differentiate between desktops and servers. Therefore, before starting the discussion, the first question to be clarified is: what is a server?

GregShields: I think this is a good problem. It is estimated that many people have no idea about servers. Especially non-new-technology business owners. When talking about servers, the first thing we think of is a guy who takes them to dinner together, or thinks the server is a basic computer. If I told them why I needed a server, they would say, "okay, but I already have a computer. Why do I need to purchase an extra one ?" In addition, I don't think many people know that there are many reasons why they need to buy another server.

The most basic point is to answer this question first, "What is a server ?". We need to first understand that the server is not the computer that users need to use in their daily work. In addition, it is not the kind of device that constantly needs to modify relevant configurations when completing daily business-related work. A server is a dedicated computer, which is usually in the boot state. Most of the time it is connected to the network. In short, the server is a device used to meet business-related needs and work notebook, desktop needs, which is not common desktop and notebook.

Therefore, let's consider connecting the data with the server. Because the server is always on, you can have a ready-to-use data storage platform; because it is always connected to the network, you can share files at any time; If the data on the server is available, you can share files with others on the enterprise network at any time, making it easier for your business to expand from one customer to two, ten, or more, and they can work together more easily and process relevant data because it is always online. The server can also manage print tasks and support multi-user access through the background print task pool, reducing the cost of repeatedly purchasing printers. The server can also manage communication, mail, voice, and other information. If you want to have your own email and voice service system inside the Enterprise, instead of outsourcing it, you can use the server as a platform for providing mail and voice services, in addition, the server can run some special applications that require network support.

We all know the functions provided by QuickBooks. After an application is installed on a desktop, different versions of QuickBooks can help users extend this single application to multiple users. The software adds a database to a backend server, and all desktop connections access the same database, therefore, all users in the company view the same data in the database. If your enterprise is just using these network applications, such as QuickBooks, email service, and database, these applications need to be centrally stored and kept available in real time.

Now, we have some impressions on the server: the server is always in the starting state, always connected to the network, and does not need to be operated every day. Next we can say that it also plays many interesting roles. Imagine that you have started a small business, and data is a very important thing in the enterprise. Whether you are selling cookies, installing windshields for cars, or other small businesses, the most important thing to do is data. If you lose data, in other words, you lose your business.

Question 1: What is a server?

The server is a dedicated computer.
• Usually at startup
• Usually keep the network connection

The server can assume one or more specified business roles.
• Store and share data
• Printer Management
• Email and voice communication
• Special network applications
• As a web site host
• Slave database and ensure business data security
• Centralized security and network protection functions
• Provides a 7x24 process access platform over Ethernet

Servers have special operating systems and management Terminals
• Windows Server 2008 R2: Foundation, Small Business Server 2008
• Server Management, administrators, and process management tools

You can also use the server to run the Web site. Suppose you want to use Web for business promotion. Although the Web server carrier is located in the office, you need to expand it to the network at the same time. All these task servers can be completed, but there are still some important points to note. I will mention them later. In addition, the server can also help with important things, such as data backup and security protection.

Next I will describe a familiar case: My wife. She owns her own company and has only one member. However, she stores QuickBooks data on the server because it makes it easy to back up and copy data to a disk. We can ensure that even if she accesses a problematic Web site, her laptop may be attacked by hackers, and she does not have to worry about QuickBooks data security issues.

Separating and storing data on another safer computer is critical to protecting business data. At the same time, you can manage security and network protection tasks in a centralized manner. If you already have anti-virus and anti-attack tools, you can also set policies for these tools on the server. Therefore, this is also a good choice for users. Next, the last and most important thing is the server itself. Because it is always on and online, it also provides you with a way to access the enterprise network at any time. Suppose you are in a cafe or at an airport. "Oh, my God, I need to access that file! I am on the way to a business meeting, but I have put that important file on my office desktop ." If you do not have the correct process access path, you may not be able to obtain the file. However, the server provides such a platform. Similarly, because it is always turned on and always online, it also means that users can log on to these applications anytime, anywhere from any location on the network and through process access, in the end, it also means to extend the enterprise network to the entire ethernet range. It sounds amazing.

Another important difference between common servers and desktops is that servers use special operating systems and configure some management software tools to simplify management. OS is no longer Windows XP or Windows Vista, but replaced with Windows server. Now many people will say when talking about Windows Server, "Oh, the OS version of Microsoft is really too expensive. Does Windows Server cost me thousands of dollars ?" However, Microsoft also heard a similar voice from small business owners who provided the FoundationEdition version of WindowsServer2008R2. FoundationEdition is designed to meet the needs of small enterprises with less than 15 users. Therefore, you can purchase this special version of WindowsServer and install it on a small enterprise server, some additional features will be added later ). In this way, a dedicated server platform connected to the network is built. You can store and back up data more securely and access it anywhere. So, are you beginning to feel interesting?

Bireny Sipher: Of course.

Greg Shield: Next we will discuss the next question. When you think about what the server is, you must have had such a question: "What kind of server is needed ?" Now, can you tell me what types of servers are available on the market? There are many optional Server types. Therefore, if you are considering such a requirement and want to determine whether it is a Dell Server or a Microsoft Server bound, in fact, there are many ways to convert a physical box into a server. So what we need to understand is not what Dell provides, but what the ideal box should be. Find a physical host box in the office or any other place. I put it inside the company, plug in the power, plug in the network cable, find a set of keyboard, mouse and display. Now, this physical box plays the role of a server in my environment. In addition, I can use some new technologies to make this physical host a virtual machine. Now, through virtualization, I have multiple virtual machines running on the same physical host, each of which can run different operating systems. Therefore, I have created two virtual computers that run on one host at the same time, and it can be seen that this can also be met when business needs to be expanded to require more capacity. A physical machine provides a service, and multiple services can be provided through virtual machines. In addition, you may have heard of a new technology cloud and Virtualization: virtual machines on the cloud. My suggestion is that we ignore the form taken by the cloud and focus only on the concept of the cloud. In fact, the cloud actually moves the virtual host somewhere on the Ethernet, migrate the entire data to the original office and connect it through the network. Now you know a lot of ways to create servers, whether through physical machines, virtual machines, or clouds in a fuzzy place on the network.

BirenySipher: So Greg, back to the previous issue, I see that you have introduced many forms and there are many choices. Do you think this process is very difficult? Especially in virtual machine mode? Is it difficult to install it, or is it more difficult than other methods?

GregShields: This is a good question. If you use the physical machine method, you need to invest more management energy on it. We will discuss the management issue later. If someone can help you manage the issue, this person must first be able to access this machine. Therefore, some specific work will be involved in the actual connection. If you have a virtual machine on the network, its home is the network, and the network is freely interconnected. Therefore, virtual machines and physical machines have their own advantages and disadvantages. A physical machine means that you have full ownership of the data. When you own the data, you are also responsible for this host. Virtual machines give up some ownership, but get more flexibility in management, maintenance and fault diagnosis. In short, this problem is very good.

Now I understand that I need a server. So what do I need to install on it? I want to purchase a Dell host. So do I need to purchase some products from Microsoft and install them on the server ?" However, there are many options to achieve this method. We can select WindowsServer2008R2. Because the scale of IMA is slightly larger than that of small enterprises, I need to purchase the full version of WindowsServer for use. FoundationEdition has limitations in some aspects. It is designed for enterprises with less than 15 users. The package authorization price for 15 users is very favorable. However, I need to add some additional features after installing the operating system, so some features in SmallBusinessServerStandardEdition or SmallServerPrimiumEdition must be used.

Now let's take a look at what functions are available. In SmallBusinessServerStandardEdition, you have obtained WindowsServer authorization; you have obtained Microsoft changeserver authorization, which can be used for email servers; you have obtained windowsmediapointservices authorization to support file sharing; you have obtained WindowsServerUpdateServices authorization, you can ensure that all these components are correctly upgraded. You are authorized to use Microsoft forefrontsecurityforexchange to protect your email server from malware, viruses, and any malicious attacks. In addition, you have obtained the integrated OfficeLiveSmallBusiness software, this is a cloud-based solution that can publish Office documents or any other interesting content on the Internet or on the cloud. This is sufficient for most people. Documents can be processed, documents can be upgraded regularly, files can be protected, and mail systems can be supported. These are all obtained from server authorization.

Other users may also need database systems, which can be used as user information databases, inventory databases, or any services required in the business process. In Premium, additional authorizations are added to support WindowsServer2008 and SQLServer, which is also a database server. Therefore, if your business needs these features and tools, Microsoft also provides options. Microsoft has carefully considered small business users and how to develop products that meet the needs of small business users, and they hope to be able to enter the market.

BirenySipher: the mail function is particularly important, especially with backup and security functions.

GregShields: Yes. If you have your own email server, you can manage all your emails. As mentioned earlier, what many people do not realize is that data is the most important part of an enterprise, and emails itself include emails with tons of important information, this can save your business. This annotation is very good.