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Server vs. Workstation

Diffen › Technology › Computers

A server is an application or device that performs service for connected clients as part of client server architecture. It can also be a computer system that has been designated for running a specific server application . A server can also serve applications to users on an intranet.

A workstation is a personal computer that is used for high end applications such as graphic design, video editing, CAD, 3-D design, or other CPU and RAM intensive programs. A workstation typically has a top of the line, fast processor, multiple hard drives, and a lot of RAM memory. A workstation may also have special audio, video, or processing cards for special editing work. A workstation is marketed by computer manufacturers to professional users, while the server is more of a utility device.

Both form part of the networking architecture and differ in their functions and use.

Comparison chart

Server versus Workstation comparison chart
	Server	Workstation
Definition	A server is an application or device that performs service for connected clients as part of client server architecture.	A computer that is used to power applications such as graphic art, 3-D design, Video Editing, or other CPU/RAM intensive software
Function	Internet, Office, Education, Home Networks	Business, Design, Engineering, Multi-Media Production
Operating systems	Free BSD, Solaris, Linux, Windows server	Unix, Linux, Windows workstation
GUI	Optional	Installed
Examples	Web servers, application servers etc	Video and audio workstation.
Application	Hosting, Intranet	Professional
Reliability	Often comes with error correcting DDR modules, storage disks are typically in RAID and often have more than one power supply unit along with more than one Network port. Can be run in multiple-CPU setups.	No error correcting DDR modules, RAID storage disks aren't typically used. Only one power supply unit and very often only one network port.

Differences in functions

Servers keep files such as html, images, video and applications available online for the client computer to access.. they also allow many computers to share applications or an internet connection. The function of a workstation is to complete high end applications like graphic design, video editing etc.

Users of servers and workstations

Workstations are intended primarily to be used by one person at a time, although they can usually also be accessed remotely by other users when necessary. Servers serve the task of connecting the user and generally will have no or single user.

Purpose

Workstations may be designed for specific tasks like Auto CAD [1], Studio MAX etc or other work involving mathematical calculations, statistical data or video or graphic editing. While servers are intended for networking.

History of workstations and servers

Workstations were originally derived from lower cost versions of minicomputers such as the VAX line, which in turn had been designed to offload smaller compute tasks from the very expensive mainframe computers of the time. They rapidly adopted 32-bit single-chip microprocessors Motorola 68000 series, which were much less expensive than the multi-chip processors prevalent in early minis. Later generation workstations used 32-bit and 64-bit RISC processors, which offered higher performance than the CISC processors used in personal computers.

Operating systems

The most popular operating systems for servers are FreeBSD, Solaris and Linux while workstations run on UNIX.

Types of servers and workstations

A server can be of many types. For example application server, web servers etc. An Application server allows users on a network to share applications. A workstation, since are used for specific types can also be various types. Some examples are Sound workstations, video workstations etc. A sound workstation may also be integrated with audio cards, synthesizers, and microphones to form a studio, or with digital video connections and hard disc arrays for video editing. A video workstation is used for non-linear digital editing of video.

GUI for workstations vs. servers

Workstations have the highest quality Graphical user interface with efficient video and audio qualities as they mostly do work related to video/audio editing. On the other hand, a Server lacks a GUI and other elaborate audio/ video interfaces.

References

About the Author

Nick Jasuja has over 15 years of technology industry experience, including at Amazon in Seattle. He is an expert at building websites, developing software programs in PHP and JavaScript, maintaining MySQL and PostgreSQL databases, and running Linux servers for serving high-traffic websites. He has a bachelor's degree in Computer Science & Engineering.

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