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What Is A Server

Servers in schools manage data, client devices, and security but come with limitations such as high costs, decreased flexibility, and increased carbon emissions. They require physical space and technical expertise, which can complicate operations and lead to inefficiencies in file management. Transitioning to cloud solutions can alleviate these issues by reducing costs and improving accessibility and security.

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6 views3 pages

What Is A Server

Servers in schools manage data, client devices, and security but come with limitations such as high costs, decreased flexibility, and increased carbon emissions. They require physical space and technical expertise, which can complicate operations and lead to inefficiencies in file management. Transitioning to cloud solutions can alleviate these issues by reducing costs and improving accessibility and security.

Uploaded by

akanksha.mishra
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How does a

server support
IT at school?
Fundamentally a server is just a powerful computer that
historically has run at the heart of the network, ‘serving’ the
network. A server stores, sends, receives and processes data,
which includes setting access control and rights of users on
the network.
In schools they traditionally also perform functions such as
managing client devices (laptops and desktops), printers
and user profiles (including passwords) as well as storing
data (including shared teaching files, MIS and finance data)
and physical access control and security, such as the school
gates and CCTV.
What limitations does having a server
bring to a school or Trust?
Increased costs and decreased paper), for example for consent forms or a
flexibility school trip. With Microsoft or Google Forms,
When you buy a server, you’ll do so with the all of this information can be stored in the
future in mind and over-spec for what you cloud and manipulated via spreadsheets
need today , knowing that in a few years’ instantly, with no manual work required.
time you’ll likely need this. What that means
Increased carbon emissions
is that you’ll either be overpaying on day
one and may not even have enough storage Servers and associated hardware consume
or power in year 3 as it can be difficult to vast amounts of power, costing more
predict the growth in usage. Alternatively, as money in running costs, as well as being
server usage declines, you’ll be paying for a much worse for the environment. With the
server which over time becomes too high Government’s push for greener schools, a
spec for modern requirements and therefore server is one of the first things that should
be over-paying in the future. In addition, be removed to improve the school’s carbon
running one or more servers is inherently footprint.
complex and so a highly technical individual
is needed, either in-house or through a Decreased ability to work flexibly
support partner, meaning that running costs One of the biggest issues with having a
are much higher. With the cloud this can all physical server and not utilising the cloud is
be done remotely and, in some cases, in an the requirement to physically be in school to
automated manner, meaning lower ongoing continue working on the same documents.
support and maintenance costs. This means that staff are often forced to
spend more time than necessary in school,
Challenges with file management on top of an already busy day, doing work
Linked to the decreased flexibility are the such as planning and non-paper marking
challenges that a physical server has with that they could easily be doing at home.
file management. With a server, schools Whilst there are options, such as Virtual
will often have multiple versions of the Private Networks (VPNs) that allow users to
same file, which not only causes confusion access files from home, this comes at an
about which version is the, but also adds additional cost to the school, which would
to the fact that storage space becomes a be lower with a cloud set up.
significant issue over time. Schools will end
up needing to delete files in order to either Physical space
save money, or simply just continue at the Running a server requires the right physical
same cost. This is not only time consuming space in a school; server rooms require
but can also be a challenge to work out proper ventilation and air flow to avoid
what is and isn’t needed. over-heating and most schools will struggle
to find an appropriate place. Add to this the
In addition, if the onsite back up is not set
growing requirements of schools to have
up properly (or being physical rather than
more students (and at the time of writing,
virtual, breaks) then there is the added risk
socially distance) and physical space is
of losing critical files. This really comes
becoming more and more of a commodity
to light for admin teams when trying to
in schools.
collate feedback and responses by tracking
potentially hundreds of files (or even physical
Potential security risks Relevant to both security and general
The general maintenance of a server is time updates; schools will often have to manually
consuming and costly. In particular, if relying update or upgrade their server, either
on an individual physically in the school, it physically or the Operating System, whereas
can be more of a security risk if they can’t the likes of Office 365 will update constantly
patch the server in a timely manner, either (at appropriate, pre-determined times) to
due to not getting into the school at a good ensure security, but also usability remains up
time or, more likely, due to being distracted to date.
with a request to fix issues elsewhere
halfway through a security patch.

We hope you have found this article helpful. We have


added further links below but if you would rather have
a conversation about your school’s specific situation,
just contact us using the link below and we would be
happy to have a chat.

Who are RM?


We can help you with every stage of the journey, from getting the foundations right, to investing in
new devices, to getting the best suppliers with the best financial terms, to managing your migration
from start to finish and adding clarity to your vision for the future, to helping you with training and
onboarding.
Because we only work in the Education Sector, we understand how schools really work, bringing our
breadth of expertise to your unique setting, so that you always remain in charge, because we – more
than many – recognise that no-one is better placed to know what your school community needs better
than you.

Further reading
Before you buy another server: Is now the right time for you
to migrate to the cloud?
What is the cloud and how does it help schools?
RM Education, 142b Park Drive,
Contact Us Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4SE

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