What Is a Data Server? A Beginner’s Guide to How Servers Work

Data servers are the backbone of the internet. Every time you check your email, publish a post, or simply search for something on Google, you’re using a data server. They work behind the scenes to store, process, and send the information you request.

In short, the internet wouldn’t work like it does without these servers. When servers are down or malfunctioning, a lot of people can’t connect to a website, make posts, etc. That’s how important data servers are.

What Is a Data Server?

A data server is a computer that’s dedicated to storing digital information, processing internet requests quickly, and sending it to other devices when needed. Depending on the use case, a server may be used to forward requests, store data, host websites, and for numerous other reasons.

People are sometimes confused by data servers, database server functionality, and networks. They may sound similar, but they’re not the same:

• A data server is the computer that stores, processes, and sends information.
• A database server focuses only on storing and organizing structured data using a database management system (DBMS).
• A network connects all the devices together.

To put it simply, the data server is the place that holds all the information, the database server stores and keeps it organized, and the network connects all devices so that information can move between them freely.

How Do Data Servers Work?

Servers and devices have a relatively simple logic: first you ask, then you receive. When you use your phone (as a client) to open a website (by sending a request to the server), the data server responds with the right content to deliver the output to your device. It’s a simple client-server relationship.

The data server waits for incoming requests. Once it receives one, it uses the database server to retrieve data, process it, and send it back to the client. It may retrieve this data from a database management system, which helps with organizing and storing the data.

In some cases, a data server may keep all the data organized locally. Sometimes, however, an API, cached information, or file system may be called instead of a database.

It ensures your online experience feels instant, even though many small processes are happening in the background. That’s how websites load quickly and search results pop up almost instantly. Some of that speed is also a result of modern optimization practices.

Sometimes, the servers can be overloaded when lots of requests are coming in at the same time. When that happens, you often experience crashes, lags, and disconnections.

What Are Data Servers Used For?

Data servers enable many things that you do every day:

• Social media platforms.
• Email services.
• Streaming websites.
• Online games.
• E-commerce stores.

These are just a few examples. The truth is, servers are behind almost every online interaction. They also store business files, manage inventory, and run banking systems.

Behind each of these services, there’s a database server working with a DBMS to handle millions of data access requests every minute.

Who Owns Data Servers?

Not all web servers belong to tech giants:

• Cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft, and Google Cloud own massive data server farms, and they rent out (digital) space to businesses.
• Businesses may own private database servers to keep customer records safe.
• Some individuals also use small home servers for storing files or running personal websites.
• Web hosting companies also usually own data servers, although they’re usually intended only for website hosting.

Generally speaking, there’s a server for everyone: individual users who only want to back up their photos and companies that need a place to store important business information.

How Much Does a Data Server Cost?

Prices vary a lot depending on what you need:

• Cloud servers can cost between a few dollars and a few thousands of dollars. It depends on space, speed, and usage. There’s also the possibility of just renting out computing power instead of an actual server.
• A small physical server for home use might cost between $1,000 and $4,000.
• Big companies might spend hundreds of thousands or even millions on building server rooms on-site.

Renting from a cloud provider is generally easier and more cost-effective for most users. Buying gives you complete control and movement of data while also being somewhat cheaper if you run it for a long time. On the other hand, it’s not as flexible as buying cloud services.

Data Servers vs Databases: Key Differences

A data server is like a library, a database server is the filing system inside the library, and the database management system is the librarian who keeps everything in order.

Now, putting it back into its own context, the data server holds the hardware and software needed to respond to users. The database server focuses on storing and processing structured data, and the DBMS makes sure you can retrieve data, update it, and keep data integrity strong.

One holds the materials, the other organizes them.

How to Access and Connect to a Data Server

To reach a server, you need the server’s IP address, login credentials, and a connection tool (like a browser for websites).

For database access, businesses often use secure software to connect to the database server. That’s where they handle data access requests and check for errors.

To test the connection, you can send a ping command or try logging in through your software. If there’s a problem, it might be a network issue or a blocked port.

Conclusion

Data servers are practically invisible to non-tech, everyday users. However, they’re always there and are always working behind the curtain.

Understanding how servers work helps you feel more savvy about how the internet in general behaves. It shows you how simply entering a website domain into the URL field magically opens up a website that sells health supplements or gives you information about the history of time.