The MCSE 2003: Security+ Boot Camp delivers the greatest value on
the market for Windows 2003 Certification Training. During the
program, students will achieve the following certifications:
Roles of Computers in a Network
Computers in a network function as either clients or servers.
Clients
Client computers (such as the users’ computers) make requests
for services or data on the network from computers referred to
as servers.
Servers
Servers are computers that provide services and data to client
computers. The servers in a network perform a variety of complex
tasks. Servers for large networks have become specialized to
accommodate the expanding needs of users.
The following are some examples of the different types of
servers included on many large networks:
File and Print Servers
File and print servers provide file and printer resources from a
centralized location. When a client sends a request for data to
the file and print server, the entire database or file is
downloaded to the computer making the request. For example, when
you open a word-processing application, the application runs on
your computer and the document stored on the file and print
server is loaded into your computer’s memory so that you can
edit or use the document locally. Once the document is saved
back on the server, anyone on the network who has the proper
access, or permission, may look at the file. In other words,
file and print servers are used to store and retrieve
centralized file and data records.
Database Servers
Database servers can store large amounts of data in a
centralized location and make this data available to users so
that they do not need to download the entire database. With a
database server, the entire database stays on the server and
only the results of a request are downloaded to the computer
making the request. For example, you might use a client
application that runs locally, such as Microsoft Access, to
search an employee database for the names of all employees born
in November. The employee database is stored on a database
server, such as Microsoft SQL Server™.
When the server processes your request, only the result of your
query (the list of November birth dates) is downloaded from the
server onto your local computer.
Mail Servers
Mail servers operate like database servers in that there are
separate server and client applications, with data selectively
downloaded from the server to the client. Mail servers manage
the e-mail services for the network.
Fax
Servers
Fax servers manage fax traffic into and out of the network by
sharing one or more fax modems. This makes a fax service
available to anyone on the network without having to install a
fax machine on everyone’s computer.
Directory Services Servers
Directory services servers provide a central location to store
information about the network, including the identity of the
users accessing the network and the names of the resources
available in the network. This enables network security to be
administered centrally. An administrator can define a resource,
such as a printer, and the type of access that users have to
that resource. After the administrator defines the resource,
users can locate the resource and use it, depending on the type
of access assigned to them.
