Servers can be anything from an eMac with special software intalled, to a $5000 XServe. What makes a server is the software that runs on it. This page describes some common functions of a server.
The library catalog is stored on the 'server'. The librarian's computer is used to check materials in or out. Student and teacher computers can be used to view the catalog. Some popular library catalog server programs are Alexandria and Spectrum.
Attendance, grades, and lunch account information can be stored on a 'server'. The data can be viewed/edited by authorized employees. Some popular student records server program are SIPS and PowerSchool.
All web sites are stored (hosted) on servers that are available on the internet 24/7.
Web site hosting is a security risk because the server must be on the public internet. Schools should consider hosting their web site on a server outside of the school, such as the diocesan server.
All email accounts are hosted on servers that are available on the internet 24/7.
Email hosting is a security risk because the server must be on the public internet. Schools should consider hosting their web site on a server outside of the school, such as the diocesan server.
Students and teachers can store their documents on a server, rather than on the individual computers. Thus, the documents are now available from any computer within the school. The popular file server is Mac OS Server.
Using a simple file server can be cumbersome if each student needs to manually connect and disconnect from the server (via Chooser or Connect to Server). Plus, the students and teachers need to be very attentive to WHERE they are saving (the server, versus the local hard drive of the computer).
File servers are often used in combination with managed clients (see below).
Many application programs, such as Accelerated Reader, come in 'server' or 'network' versions. However, many of these are NOT server programs. Rather, these programs can store their data on the schools pre-existing file server.
Some of these programs, such as Accelerated Reader, work quite well. However, a few others are, well, junk. Before buying these products, please seek the opinion of colleagues at other schools.
Managed clients is a next-step beyond a school file server. The server can be used to manage the user environment of school's workstations. When a student or employee sits at a computer, they must login with a username and password before using any applications.
One of the most basic functions is that save dialogs are automatically directed to the user's folder on the server (preventing accidentally saving on the workstation's hard drive).
Managed client enables the school's technology leader to customize all the school's computers via Workgroup Manager. The technology leader can specify internet home page, items within the Dock, permitted applications, and more. This prevents the need to customize every single computer.
The popular managed client server is Mac OS Server.
It is common practice to erase every computer within a school every summer. Then, re-install the operating sytem and application programs.
Using hard drive imaging technology, the software installations only need performed on a couple 'ideal' computers. The ideal computer is then 'imaged' to the server. The technology leader can then command the individual computers to erase themselves and automatically install the software on the 'images'.
The popular hard drive imaging server is a combination of Mac OS Server and NetRestore.
The internet's domain name system relies heavily on DNS servers. These act as phone books, converting domain names (stclouddiocese.org) to IP addresses.
A school's internet service provider would maintain DNS servers. However, some schools also need to maintain their own DNS servers. A popular DNS server is Mac OS Server.
In many cases, a school needs to dynamically assign IP addresses to the computers via a DHCP server. Popular DHCP servers are built into firewall/routers or simply Mac OS Server.
It is possible for a person outside of the school building to access the school's network via a VPN server. This gives the person full access to the network, but communication between the person and the school is encrypted (preventing hackers from watching).
Minimal-usage VPN servers include software products such as Mac OS Server. Heavy-usage VPN servers involve special hardware.