A communications server is a computer system designed to handle a wide range of communications-based applications. These servers connect to a wide variety of different platforms in a fully integrated manner, allowing different systems to communicate with each other without interference. These servers are open and carrier-grade, allowing anyone to connect to them with the understanding that communication will be secure and reliable. The server approach and communication flexibility make it the backbone of many Internet and communication systems.
Communication servers connect to a wide variety of different platforms in a fully integrated way, allowing different systems to communicate with each other without interference.
The main purpose of a communication server is to assist in the interaction of networked systems. These computers can be in the same building or on different continents, since distance doesn’t really matter. The two systems that want to communicate connect to a single communication server or a chain of connected servers until they connect to each other. The communication server acts as an intermediary, allowing systems running different applications and protocols to communicate with each other.
There are four characteristics of a good communications server. The server must be open; As in, you can accept connections from pretty much anyone. For a server system to be truly open, it must use industry standard software and communication protocols for various types of communication systems. This means that when a system accesses the server, protocols specific to that system detect the connection. If the server passes this information to a different type of system, it will leave the system using a different set of protocols.
Next, a communication server must be a carrier-grade system. This generally means that it has two features. The server has redundant options in case of failure. If a specific piece of hardware or software fails, the server has backups that are instantly online to keep the system up and running. Also, the server needs a long-term design; it needs to function on its own without reboots or shutdowns for long periods of time.
These servers are flexible in their use. A good communications server has the ability to connect to and process information from a wide variety of systems, covering a wide variety of topics. This generally means that the core server runs a collection of semi-independent modules specialized in connecting to specific types of systems. This flexibility, combined with the open architecture of the system, allows the server to function for a variety of purposes.
The last important point is the most obvious; the server should focus on communication protocols and software. Even if the hardware system does things outside of acting as a communication platform, it must prioritize communication-based activities. If you prevent transmission because you are working on something else, information may be lost and communication with connected systems may be interrupted.
