Ep 9: What is a server, really?
In one sentence: a server is just a computer whose job is to serve other computers.
Same parts as your laptop
Section titled “Same parts as your laptop”A server has a CPU, memory (RAM), storage and a network connection, just like your laptop. What’s different is its job and how it’s set up:
- No screen, no keyboard: it lives in a data center; you control it remotely.
- Always on: day and night, because users can arrive at any time.
- Serves others: when you open LoopNotes, a server sends your phone the page.
“Server” means two things
Section titled ““Server” means two things”- The machine (physical or virtual).
- The program that answers requests, like a web server (nginx) or our LoopNotes app.
When people say “the server crashed”, ask which one: the machine, or the program on it?