Why you need a server, even a small one

The main reason is the separation of concerns.

The two most common uses for a server are to share data and applications.

A file server, for example, may share documents and images with other computers in a network (we call computers on the network that are not servers "workstations").

What I see many small businesses do is turn the computer the owner uses into a server. This computer then holds all the information, programs, logins, bookmarks, personal documents, etc.

This is very risky for the shared data and critical applications and here is why.

Every time you open a document or install a new program there is a risk that something will go wrong. The files you open may have a virus or cause the computer to crash.

If one of these things happens the data and critical applications are compromised.

• You risk corrupting the data and/or the system,
• You will increase the downtime and reduce productivity,
• You complicate the backup and recovery processes

So ask yourself, is it worth taking these risks or should I at least set up a small server to separate concerns?