The workstation and the server have two completely different purposes. A server functions as hardware and software and attends to client’s queries to generate the appropriate response. But a workstation is a client-based system and requires access to LAN and switch services and responds to requests from the switch. While the server provides services to clients, workstation computer systems are used by engineers, scientists, creative designers and large businesses to run complex programs.
Workstations are designed to run applications while servers are optimised for networking. Workstations often run on low-end hardware and can support multiple users but this number is limited. Servers, however, can support 1000+users which allow for scalability and runs on high-end software. They are also known to provide higher security than workstations.
History of workstations and servers
Workstations were developed from low-cost minicomputers such as the VAX line. The purpose of the minicomputers was to offload some of the smaller tasks from the mainframe computers. To do this they adopted the 32-bit single chip microprocessors from the Motorola 68000 series that came at a lower cost than the multi-chip processors. The more developed multi-processors used 32-bit and 64-bit RISC processors which helped increase the performance of the workstations. A few great Dell workstation examples include the Precision 5000 and the Precision 3000.
The first server was developed in 1990 by CERN employees and was called CERN HTTPD. It was designed as a simple and effective tool to exchange information on the web between different operating systems.
The key differences between a server and a workstation
The functions
The purpose of servers is to store, retrieve and send video and image applications and HTML files that are available online for the client to access. They perform internet related applications such as communicating with clients, responding to their requests and providing users with the necessary content. A server also lets multiple computers share common applications and internet connection. On a larger scale, the functioning of the Internet depends on the servers located around the world and functionality of a certain website are based on the servers. Servers only perform those functions that were previously defined for the server.
Workstations are a business extensive application used by professions such as scientists and creative designers to run complex applications like mechanical computer-aided design, detailed analysis and video editing.
Users of servers and workstations
Workstations only have a single user to connect to the network and allow the user to have remote access to information on the server. It is usually used by people who use a computer for work or at school. The server can work both ways, a single person can use multiple servers or a single server can serve multiple clients. A process can operate on the same device or can be connected over a network to a server on a different device.
Purpose
An office can have several workstations for different purposes with each workstation programmed to perform a specific task like Studio MAX or mathematics-related calculations. Since each workstation performs a different function, they are usually networked together. This allows users to send and receive files over the network so that the workflow process is more organised.
Servers, on the other hand, are intended for the purpose of networking. A user can set up a server to control access a certain network, manage print jobs, send or receive email and can perform intense calculations. Some servers may be used for specific tasks, also known as, dedicated servers. But most servers are designed for the purpose of networking and can be used for e-mail, Domain Name Server or as a web server.
Operating systems
Workstation operating systems are optimised to run applications and include Windows XP, Windows 7 or Windows Vista. The primary purpose of server operating systems is to run applications such as text processor, spreadsheet applications and other server software. Most workstation operating systems can only support up to 10 concurrent users and usually run on low-end hardware.
On the other hand, server operating systems are designed to perform a lot more than workstation operating systems and have the capability to provide network services to remote network clients. Unlike workstation operating systems, servers can support a large number of concurrent users that can range up to 1000+ users. Hence, the server operating system has to provide the same level of service as a workstation operating system but with a large number of users. Due to this, server OS’s are designed to run on high-end hardware. The operating system also has to provide for redundancy so when one hard-drive goes down, we need to have an external hard-drive with the copy of the information stored on the drive that went down. Server operating systems also provide more security than a workstation operating system. Server OS offer services to thousands of users which make security a critical factor. The server has a directory service where every user in the network is represented as an object on the directory tree. This allows the server admin to assign permissions to different users which controls what they can access on the server.
Different types of servers and workstations
There are many different types of servers that allow users to network with each other, for example, an application server allows users to share numerous applications.
Workstations, on the other hand, are often used for a specific type of service and can include video workstations or audio workstations. These workstations can be used to form a studio for digital editing of videos.
Graphical User Interface (GUI) for workstations vs. servers
Workstations are designed to serve specific services such as audio and video workstations and come with a Graphical user interface that has a high video and audio quality and can be used for editing. Servers, on the other hand, are used for networking and lack a GUI as they are not used for specific services.
Workstations and servers have completely different purposes and it is up to each organisation to decide which system to use depending on their needs. In addition to their needs, the size and type of business are factors that can be considered when deciding between a workstation or server.
