What is the difference between a storage server and a server?
The key difference between server and storage is that a server is a hardware device or program that provides services to client machines in a network based on client requests whereas storage is a component in a computing device that stores data for long-term access. A server provides various services to multiple clients. They store and manage data, allow sharing of resources, perform computations, and more. Powerful servers run in data centers that allow for efficient and reliable communications. However, storage refers to secondary storage where data is permanently stored. It allows a processor or CPU to transfer its data to memory (RAM) for short-term data access.
A typical server will be configured to perform multiple functions, such as it can be a file server, a print server, an application database server, a Web server, or even a combination of the above functions. In this way, it must have a fast processor chip, more RAM, and enough internal disk space to cope with the application deployment needs of end users at any time.
But that's definitely not the case with storage servers. It is designed for a specific purpose and therefore configured differently. It could be having a little extra storage, or it could have a lot of storage.
Storage servers are usually self-contained units. Sometimes they are designed as 4U rack mounts. Alternatively, they can also consist of two chests - a storage unit and a server located nearby. Two boxes can then be installed in the cabinet in parallel.
In many cases, storage servers come with a host of special services, including storage management software, additional hardware for high flexibility, RAID configuration types, and additional network connections to enable more desktop users to connect to them.
Storage servers are usually operated on a single machine and will not be connected to other servers, while multi-functional servers are generally connected to disk arrays.
1. The server can be used as storage, but the storage cannot be used as a server; interconnection depends on whether the interface supports it, some are connected through a switch, and some are directly connected to the server.
2. The server can be installed with various operating systems, including windows, linux, etc. As for storage, there is no need to install an operating system. The storage itself has a controller, and there is an embedded system in the controller. You can use the web or corresponding storage management software Connect to the storage management interface through a network cable for storage configuration management.
