ABSTRACT
Servers and server operating systems are offered today as integrated server operating environments that include not only standard server operating system features but additional components called serverware. Server operating environment is a term that is introduced in order to extend the concept of a server (a single server or a set of servers) with additional modules (components), with both hardware and software origin. It consists of one or more servers, server operating system(s), serverware, database(s), data communication/networking components, and data storage. As such, it represents a major part of any modern information architecture and information infrastructure, no matter whether such IT infrastructure is implemented on-premises or within the cloud-based model. Most widely used models of information architectures are explained as well as the newly introduced models such as hybrid, converged infrastructure, hyperconverged infrastructure, and composable infrastructure. In addition, the components (layers) on which the downtime points can be identified are briefly explained. These components are aimed at enhancing the capabilities in terms of availability, reliability, and scalability of application servers. Several platforms are analyzed in this chapter in order to present a framework for selecting the platform from a business continuity perspective.
