20 Server Architecture Interview Questions and Answers

Server architecture refers to the physical and logical components of a server and how they are configured to support an organization’s IT needs. When interviewing for a position that involves server administration or management, you can expect to be asked questions about server architecture. Answering these questions confidently requires a strong understanding of server components and how they work together. In this article, we review some common server architecture interview questions and provide tips on how to answer them.

Server Architecture Interview Questions and Answers

Here are 20 commonly asked Server Architecture interview questions and answers to prepare you for your interview:

1. What is a server?

A server is a computer that provides data to other computers on a network.

2. How many types of servers are there? Can you give me some examples?

There are four types of servers: file servers, application servers, database servers, and web servers. A file server stores and shares files between users on a network. An application server provides access to applications and data for users on a network. A database server stores and manages data for users on a network. A web server provides access to web pages and data for users on the internet.

3. Why do we need different types of servers?

Different types of servers are needed in order to provide different types of services. For example, a web server is needed in order to host a website, while a file server is needed in order to provide access to files and data. There are many other types of servers as well, each designed to provide a specific type of service.

4. What is the role of a server in an application environment?

The server is responsible for hosting the application and providing access to it for users. The server may also be responsible for managing user accounts, handling authentication, and providing other services that the application needs in order to function.

5. What does it mean for a server to be redundant?

A redundant server is a backup server that is used in the event that the primary server fails. A redundant server can be used to keep a website online in the event of a power outage or other major problem with the primary server.

6. What is the difference between a client and a server?

A client is a computer that connects to a server in order to access resources or services. A server is a computer that provides those resources or services to the clients.

7. Can you explain what a server farm is?

A server farm is a group of computer servers that are all connected together and work together to provide a service, such as a website. Server farms are often used by large companies or organizations that need to be able to handle a lot of traffic or data.

8. Can you explain what a load balancer is?

A load balancer is a device that is used to distribute traffic across a network. This can be done for a variety of reasons, such as to improve performance or to prevent a single point of failure.

9. What is the function of a mail server?

A mail server is a computer system that is responsible for the delivery of email messages. It can either be a software program that is installed on a computer, or a dedicated piece of hardware. A mail server typically works by receiving messages from sender mail servers, and then forwarding them on to recipient mail servers.

10. What is a web server?

A web server is a computer system that hosts websites. When a user tries to access a website, their request is routed to the web server, which then serves up the requested website.

11. What is a DNS server?

A DNS server is a server that helps to resolve domain names into IP addresses. This is important because humans typically remember domain names much more easily than they remember IP addresses. When you type in a domain name, the DNS server will help to resolve it into the correct IP address so that you can be directed to the correct website.

12. What is a proxy server?

A proxy server is a server that acts as an intermediary between a client and another server. A proxy server can be used for a variety of purposes, such as to improve performance or to filter requests.

13. What is a file server?

A file server is a type of server that is responsible for storing and managing files. This can include both physical files and digital files. A file server typically has a large amount of storage space and is designed to be able to handle a large number of users simultaneously.

14. What is a database server?

A database server is a computer system that processes database queries. It is responsible for storing and retrieving data as requested by other software applications. A database server can be either a dedicated computer system or a software program that runs on a general-purpose computer system.

15. What is an internet gateway?

An internet gateway is a server that provides access to the internet for other devices on a network. It usually includes a firewall to protect the network from outside threats.

16. What is an edge server?

An edge server is a type of proxy server that is located at the edge of a network. Edge servers are used to improve network performance and security by caching data and filtering traffic.

17. What is a storage area network?

A storage area network (SAN) is a network that provides access to a shared storage device. A SAN typically uses a high-speed network to connect servers to the storage device. This allows multiple servers to access the same storage device, which can improve performance and provide redundancy.

18. What is a computer cluster?

A computer cluster is a group of computers that are connected together in order to work as a single unit. This can be done in order to increase the processing power or storage capacity of the system as a whole. Clusters are often used in order to improve the performance of high-demand applications or to provide a more reliable system overall.

19. Is it possible to have multiple instances of the same type of server running at the same time? If yes, then why might that happen?

Yes, it is possible to have multiple instances of the same type of server running at the same time. There are a few reasons why this might happen:

– To provide redundancy in case one server fails
– To distribute load across multiple servers
– To allow for different configurations or setups on each server

20. What’s the best way to manage memory utilization on a server?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to manage memory utilization on a server will vary depending on the specific server and its workload. However, some tips on how to manage memory utilization on a server include monitoring server memory usage, setting up alerts to notify you when memory usage reaches a certain threshold, and regularly cleaning up memory to free up space.