On Wed, Mar 09, 2005 at 11:05:58AM -0800, Rick Stevens wrote: > I think you'll find that the definition of a server _machine_ is a > machine that, as its _primary_ function, provides various services to > clients. Its primary purpose is NOT to provide interactive sessions > such as a desktop environment. Remote management of such a machine > (e.g. ssh or webmin) does not count. Rick, this is exactly the delineation I was trying for. Thank you. > Server _processes_, on the other hand, are processes that wait for > clients to connect, performs some task for that client, and then > eventually terminates the session. Further nailing this down, whenever I've heard IT people using the colloquialism "server" without a qualifying "machine" or "process" following, they were always referring to a machine. Unless the IT person adds the word "process" or "program.. etc" to "server" it is reasonable and expected that the "server" unit being referred to is a machine. (Yes, for software architects the usage can be/is different.) -- "The only system which is truly secure, is one which is switched off and unplugged, locked in a titanium lined safe, buried in a concrete bunker, surrounded by nerve gas and very highly paid armed guards. Even then, I wouldn't stake my life on it" - Gene Spafford http://kinz.org http://www.fedoranews.org Jeff Kinz, Emergent Research, Hudson, MA.
