Serveri

Serveri (Finnish for server) is a computing resource that provides services to other devices or software over a network. In the client–server model, a server responds to requests and supplies resources such as web content, data, or computational services. A server may be a physical machine, a virtual instance, or a software process running on a host. The term is commonly used in IT to describe both hardware and software roles that manage and deliver services to clients.

Common server types include web servers, which serve HTTP(S) content; database servers, which manage structured data; file servers, which host shared files; mail servers for email delivery and retrieval; DNS servers that translate domain names into addresses; and application servers that run business logic. The exact capabilities depend on the software stack and the intended service.

Architecture and deployment options vary. Servers can be dedicated hardware, virtual machines, or containers, and they may run on premises, in private data centers, or in cloud environments. Modern deployments often rely on virtualization, containerization, load balancing, and clustering to achieve scalability and high availability. Redundancy, regular backups, and monitoring are standard practices to maintain reliability and performance.

Management and security are integral to server operation. Administrative tasks include provisioning, configuration management, patching, access control, and monitoring. Security measures focus on authentication, encryption (such as TLS), firewalls, and proper access policies to protect data and services from unauthorized use and attacks.

In contemporary IT, servers underpin a wide range of services—from web hosting and enterprise applications to cloud-based services—making uptime, capacity planning, and efficient operation essential considerations for organizations.