What is a Server ?

A server is a special computer that stores data and provides services (like websites, email, or files) to other computers called clients.
Types of Server

Web Server​

• Work: Runs websites.
• How:
- You type a website in your browser → Http Request goes to the server.
- Server sends back the page data → Http Response comes → The website shows on your screen.

Mail Server​

• Work: Sends and receives emails.
• How:
- You send an email → Goes to the mail server through SMTP protocol.
- Another mail server receives it → Delivers to the receiver’s inbox.

DNS Server​

• Work: Changes a website name into an IP address.
• How:
- You type example. com → DNS finds its IP Address (like 100. 101. 102. 103).
- Your browser then connects to the web server using that IP address.

Proxy Server​

• Work: Acts as a gatekeeper between you and the internet.
• How:
- You first connect to the Proxy.
- Proxy sends your request to the internet or can block it.
- This gives more privacy and sometimes faster speed.

FTP Server​

• Work: Upload or download large files.
• How:
- Connect using FTP software/browser.
- Easily transfer big files from one place to another.

Origin Server​

• Work: The main server where real data is stored.
• How:
- When a visitor opens a website → First goes to Edge Server/CDN.
- If not found there, the original data comes from the Origin Server.

Key Point
All servers are computers but each has a different job:
- Some give websites,
- Some run emails,
- Some change domain names to IPs,
- Some share files.