Systems Architecture
Server Architecture
Server hardware, roles and operating systems.
- 7 notes
- 57 minutes of reading
- Server types and roles: file, web, database, directory and applicationWhat the common server roles do (file, web, database, directory, application and infrastructure), how they work together in a three-tier design, and how to decide which roles to combine or separate. 7 min · Beginner
- Server hardware: CPU, ECC memory, storage, NICs and redundant powerThe components inside a server and why they differ from desktop parts: multi-core CPUs, ECC memory, RAID and drive types, high-speed NICs, redundant power and out-of-band management. 8 min · Beginner
- Server form factors: tower, rack, blade and hyperconvergedCompares tower, rack, blade and hyperconverged servers by space, power, cooling, cost and scaling, with guidance on which suits a small office, a data centre or a branch. 7 min · Beginner
- Windows Server core roles: AD DS, DNS, DHCP and Group PolicyHow Active Directory Domain Services, DNS, DHCP and Group Policy fit together on Windows Server, with the forest, domain and OU structure, PowerShell to install roles, and common design mistakes. 9 min · Intermediate
- Linux server essentials: distributions, services, users and packagesA practical introduction to running Linux servers: choosing a distribution, installing packages, managing services with systemd, handling users, groups and sudo, and reading logs. 9 min · Beginner
- Server storage: DAS, NAS and SAN comparedExplains direct-attached storage, network-attached storage and storage area networks, the difference between block and file access, protocols such as SMB, NFS, iSCSI and Fibre Channel, and when to choose each. 8 min · Intermediate
- Server hardening: baselines, patching, least services and loggingHow to harden Windows and Linux servers using security baselines such as the CIS Benchmarks, minimal services, least privilege, patch management, host firewalls and central logging. 9 min · Intermediate