server

1. Hardware: Central, and usually the largest, and most powerful computer in a network that houses the server software, stores and manages common (network) data and supplies it to the individual workstations (clients), and provides shared services (access to internet or other networks, faxing, printing, etc.). Servers are named after the primary functions they perform: file servers receive, store, and send files, web servers store webpages, mail servers receive, store, and forward emails, etc.

2. Software: Computer program that serves as the server-component in a client-server architecture, and has these defining characteristics: (1) Centralization: resides (usually) on a central, largest, and most powerful computer in a network. (2) Passivity: does nothing until a request (command) is received from a client. (3) Continuous operation: always up and running, ready to respond to commands from the clients. (4) Background operation: rarely interacts with the user except through client programs. (5) Simultaneous operation: responds at once to multiple commands from the clients.