Overview of Server Services on Linux

When it comes to server services, it refers to software running on a server to provide clients or users with specific applications. For example, a Linux server with just an operating system cannot display websites, send emails, or offer files for download. Different services are required for all these tasks to enable the respective functions. Here, we will introduce you to the most important and well-known server services for Linux servers:

Web Server

The web server is responsible for enabling web pages to be accessed on the server. When a user establishes a connection to a server with their browser and requests a webpage, the web server delivers the relevant data back to the browser via the standardised transmission protocols HTTP or encrypted via HTTPS. The user eventually sees the webpage in their browser.

A commonly used web server is Apache and Tomcat.

Mail Server

The mail server handles all functions needed for managing emails. Technically, the mail server is not a single service but is composed of multiple services, each of which performs a specific task necessary for a functioning email communication. Individual services are responsible for transporting mail to and from another system, while others handle tasks such as distributing mails to the correct end user. To successfully send and receive emails, at least one Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) and a POP3/IMAP service are required.

Commonly used software includes Postfix as an MTA and Dovecot as an IMAP/POP3 server.

Database Server

A database server is used for managing data through a database system. Large amounts of data can be efficiently and orderly stored in a database and quickly made available to the user using a database management system. Many applications, such as the well-known Content Management System Wordpress, utilise the benefits of databases for data management.

One of the most widely used database systems is MySQL.

File Server

A file server is responsible for providing data to various users and managing the corresponding access rights, enabling the exchange of files between different computers on the internet. Various options are available for this purpose.

NFS is used for data exchange between Linux computers, Samba is compatible with Windows file sharing, and for example vsftpd is used for data exchange via the FTP protocol.

Multimedia Server

Multimedia servers are used to make media files available to users on the server. For example, video and audio files can be offered via streaming.

For audio files, Icecast can be used, and for video files VLC can be utilised.

The list of server services is extensive and can be continued indefinitely; there are a large number of different services available for every desired application area. These ensure that Linux servers on the internet are flexible and can perform any task that can be executed with the help of a computer. Often, there is the option to choose between different versions and providers of a service. Here, as a system administrator, one can decide which option suits them best.