Workstation: What is this from the point of view of computer systems?

Today in our everyday life more and more often such concept as "workstation" appears. What is that? Many guess the answer, but not everyone can give a clear definition of this term. Consider some aspects associated with it, based on the principles embodied in computer technology.

Workstation: is that in the broadest sense?

The definition of this term can begin somewhat from remote concepts, because it is found not only in the computer world. For example, the same synthesizers with built-in sequencers and sound processing tools are also called workstations. Take at least the same KORG Trinity.

But if you define this term in a general sense, the workstation is, if you will, a personal automated workplace (ARM), as it was called back in Soviet times. From the point of view of IT technologies, this term means a software and hardware complex designed to solve specific problems. Roughly speaking, it is a personal computer with an installed operating system, a set of programs and, if necessary, connected peripherals (scanner, printer, etc.). However, in any case, only the computer terminals connected to the local network are called a workstation.

Types of workstations

If we take into account the fact that the computer is a workstation, its characteristic is very different from the terminal, called the server.

Workstations themselves, which are also called clients or client machines, are able to function both in network and in local mode. If the local computer's own tools for solving problems are enough, the user uses them, working exclusively on his machine. If you need the same output to the Internet, data exchange or something like that, the client terminal refers directly to the server.

As already mentioned above, all software components can be installed on the local terminal, but network workstations, called diskless (often they do not have a hard drive), can often be found. The network operating system for each computer is downloaded from the central server, and all user information is stored on it. Sometimes an operating system can boot from an optical disc (if there is a floppy drive) or from a USB drive. In some cases, the same devices with a certain type of software can be used as a server.

The configuration of such computers is minimal: a simplified motherboard, a network card, a monitor and a keyboard, not counting peripherals. By the way, these types of stations are mostly used in banking institutions, since in this case the highest level of protection and security is provided.

The user of such a terminal can neither change the system settings nor install additional software simply can not (the rights are limited by the administrator). Yes, and the information is also stored, because in the physical plan on the local computer it is not present. Thus, a network diskless workstation is a kind of only a means of viewing and editing public data, in which it is absolutely impossible to change something.

Executable tasks

As for the configuration, it can also be completely different. The functions of a workstation in providing, for example, a complete production or development process, also depend on the tasks originally assigned, although in general it provides the specialist with it with access to a specific set of tools for the task at hand.

For example, to develop application programs, as a rule, a programmer needs two monitors, engineering or design work requires powerful processor systems with a sufficiently large amount of RAM, graphics and animation will require even more dedicated graphics accelerator memory. In general, the range of tasks performed is quite wide.

The difference between workstations and servers

Now the most important thing. A typical workstation serves only to provide the workflow and the interaction between itself, its operator and access to local or other resources by forming a request to the server to which it is connected.

The server is either a hardware-software complex, or simply a software package (in the case of its virtual version) that receives, processes and provides answers to the requests of local client machines directly connected to it.

Software for servers and workstations

In the software complex, you can find many differences. In the simplest case, you can look at the operating system. A network OS is mandatory on the server, but when a virtual server is created on the basis of one computer terminal, this may not be necessary.

On the workstations there is a minimum set of programs necessary to perform a certain range of tasks, but on the server there can be much more. In particular, this may be related to the administration and maintenance of networks. Such tools on client machines are simply not needed. In addition, there may not be an operating system on local computers, as with diskless terminals, but an OS may be installed that is different from the one on the server or any other computer on the network.

For example, Windows Server 2012 is the server server, and Windows 7, 10, XP in different versions or even Mac OS X and Linux are used on client machines. This does not mean that there will be no interaction between local computers. It is implemented through the use of universal network protocols. So it's not so important which OS is installed on each particular computer (and whether it exists at all).

The result

As a result, it can be noted that workstations are designed to perform specific tasks by a local user or an expert, and servers are used to administer and control the network, manage connections and network resources at a priority level, provide access to the Internet or share resources within the network, and sometimes - to collect and store all information coming from local machines.