The Server and Workstation serve the completely different purpose, a server is dedicated hardware and software which attend clients requests and generates a proper response. On the other hand, a workstation can be a client-side computer which requests access to the LAN and switch services and responds to the requests from the switch. In other words, a server provides services to the clients while workstations are moderately powerful computer popular among business, scientific and engineering applications.
Content: Server Vs Workstation
Comparison Chart
| Basis for comparison | Server | Workstation |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | Device used to perform services for the connected clients. | Computer intended to perform the dedicated task and having enhanced features. |
| Operation | Internet based | Business, engineering, multimedia productions and engineering. |
| Example | FTP server, web servers, application server. | Video and audio workstations. |
| Operating systems | Linux, Windows, Solaris server. | Unix, Linux, Windows NT. |
| GUI | Optional | Installed |
Definition of Server
In the networking, a device is used to handle network resources which is known as a Server. Such as a file server, is simply a computer intended to store the files, to where the users on the network can store files. The dedicated servers are used to perform only those tasks that are previously defined for the server. Unlike the general computer, the dedicated server cannot execute several programs at once.
In simpler terms, we can define a server as a connected network providing data to more than one clients simultaneously. The World Wide Web employs the client/server model which permits numerous users to access websites all over the world. There are various types of servers: application servers, web servers, mail servers, proxy servers, FTP servers, etcetera.
For example, a web server is a kind of server used to establish communication with clients with the help of the HTTP protocol.
Definition of Workstation
The workstation is a computer works as a stand-alone system. Previously, these were meant for the individual users similar to a personal computer but are more capable and faster than it. It was developed for the same set of the audience as UNIX Operating system. Furthermore, the UNIX operating system is also known as the workstation operating system. The main application of workstation is in the business and professional field instead of personal or home use. Initially, Hewlett Packard, Sun Microsystems, IBM and DEC are the companies developed the workstations.
The concept of workstations is mainly implemented in small engineering, graphics designing and architecture companies and organization where the faster microprocessor, huge RAM, moderate computing power, high-speed graphics are necessarily required.
In recent technology, the corporate environment involves the attachment of the workstations to the local area network to share the resources to other connected computers.
Key Differences Between Server and Workstation
- A server is a device or a computer reside within a network which stores the data and manages the network resources. As against, a workstation is a computer provides an immensely fast and accurate type of graphics, higher performance, more scalability along with featuring ISV certification.
- The server performs internet related applications such as communicating with the clients, responding back to their requests and providing the required content to the clients. On the contrary, the workstations are used in business extensive application such as digital content creation, mechanical computer-aided design, architectural designs and detailed analysis.
- There are various forms of server like FTP, web, application, mail, proxy, telnet servers, etcetera. Conversely, workstations are assigned a specific task. For example, there can be video, audio, CAD/CAM workstations which are specially designed for that particular task.
- Servers work on Linux, Windows, Solaris operating system while workstations operate on Unix, Linux, Windows NT operating systems. Workstations also employ the special type of softwares developed by ISV (Independent Software Vendors) that are specifically developed for workstations.
- The workstations are mandatorily enabled with the Graphics User Interface (GUI) whereas in a server the GUI is optional.
Conclusion
A server functions several tasks at the same time and needs to hold multiple connections simultaneously while workstation need not to do that, it just performs the application-specific task and can also be used as a stand-alone device.
ltran says
Thank you so much for all of your articles.