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Minimally, a Software Server requires two software components: an operating platform and an application. The operating platform provides the runtime infrastructure needed to support an application. The platform can include the hardware (real or virtual), the network, the operating system (OS), the dependent services and the software libraries needed to access the services, operating system network and hardware.¹⁾

In order to communicate with the clients in the outside world, typical Software Servers generally use domain names, TCP IP Addresses, ports and MAC addresses. These can be statically assigned or dynamic as well as virtual and real.

Some common Software Servers are:

• Web Servers are computer programs that serves requested HTML pages or files. In this case, a web browser acts as the client.
• Application Servers are programs running on a distributed network that provides the business logic for an application program.
• Proxy Server acts as an intermediary between an endpoint device, such as a computer, and another server from which a user or client is requesting a service.
• Mail Server receives incoming emails from local users (i.e., individuals or applications) within the same domain and remote senders and forwards outgoing emails for delivery.

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