Pretty much. More information here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_centerkyphysics said:
Usually, a server farm consists of many servers (real and/or virtual) of possibly different purpose/owner/service.kyphysics said:
I'm not so sure. Big providers like Google have data centers all over the globe. They assign and reassign functionality dynamically. If a data center goes down, its functionality is reassigned to another data center. So, I think the emphasis is on capacity and communication, functionality is not static.Rive said:
As a datacenter, they are meant to be part of a highly redundant system of datacenters which can distribute load dinamically. As I see it, that is their functionality: at least, I can't really interpret that word for this case with disregarding that context.anorlunda said:
The distinction is not worth worrying about, however the term "data center" (US: "data centre" in non-US English) has been around a lot longer, and is more widely understood (e.g. a real estate agent might talk about trends in demand for data centres).kyphysics said:
Interesting.jbriggs444 said:
No, I don't think that this is generally true. Go with Wikipedia's general description of Data Center, and note that there is no equivalent entry for "server farm".kyphysics said:
It would be better to take data centers as specialized server farms. The functionality alone won't tell you anything about the professionalism involved.kyphysics said:
Do you have a reference that implies such a definition?Rive said:
I'm using it that way in relevant environment for quite a time. So far this is the first time it triggered any disagreement.pbuk said:
"Don't want to put words in your mouth." -- Then don't. I don't see anything in any post that implies "something thrown together" or "amateurish".kyphysics said:
More like the parable of the blind men and the elephant. You can use a different term for the same thing if you want to concentrate on a particular aspect of the thing.kyphysics said:
So, as I've decided that this disagreement worth some checkup, there was some quick ask-around and digging here.Rive said:
A server is a computer or program that provides functionality for other programs or devices, known as clients. It serves data, applications, or other resources to the clients. A data center, on the other hand, is a physical facility that houses a large number of servers and other equipment, such as storage devices and networking equipment. It is used to store, manage, and distribute data and applications for a variety of purposes.
The main function of a server is to provide services and resources to clients. This can include hosting websites, managing databases, storing and sharing files, and running applications. Servers also facilitate communication between clients and act as a central point for managing and securing data and resources.
A server is designed to handle a large amount of incoming and outgoing data and requests from multiple clients. It typically has more processing power, memory, and storage capacity than a personal computer. Additionally, servers are often designed for continuous operation and have redundant components to ensure reliability.
Data centers offer a number of benefits, including increased scalability, reliability, and security. By centralizing data and resources, data centers can handle larger workloads and provide faster and more efficient access to information. They also have backup systems and protocols in place to prevent data loss and ensure data is always available.
Data centers are used by a wide range of businesses and organizations, including large corporations, government agencies, and web hosting companies. They are also commonly used by cloud computing providers, as well as businesses that require high levels of data storage and processing, such as financial institutions and healthcare providers.