Server software provides a service, by serving data, to client software. The client can be making a request from the same computer, or from a linked network.

Server vs. ClientThe internet connects a user, or client, to the world wide web, which is essentially a collection of information stored on many computers. The term "server" can refer to a computer that directs clients/users to other servers, or to the computer which a website´s data is stored on, and also to a computer on which the software is installed, or to the software itself.On the WebWeb server software renders website information into packets to send to the client, and client software renders the packets into data readable by the user's web browser. The most popular web server software is Apache, but a wide variety of other software exists to meet the needs of other types of servers.Other ApplicationsSoftware is needed anytime instructions or data need to be issued to a computer, and servers are needed anytime a request is made from machine to another. File servers are needed to store and access files, print servers are needed to manage printers, and network servers to monitor traffic. The list continues, with many software options for every type of server. References PC Mag: Server Defined Linfo: Server W3: Servers ResourcesApache: HTTP Server

• What Is Server Software? [10/12/2010 03:00:01]