Chapter 2.3: Network Services

DHCP Server (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

A DHCP server automatically assigns IP addresses and other network configuration settings to devices on a network, allowing them to communicate effectively without manual configuration.

File Share

A networked service that allows multiple users or devices to access and share files over a network. It enables centralized storage and retrieval of data for easier collaboration.

Print Server

Connects a printer to the network to provide printing services for all network devices

Mail Server

Responsible for storing incoming mail and sending outgoing mail

Syslog

A standard for message logging that allows diverse systems to send their logs to a consolidated location

Web Server

◦Designed to respond to browser requests using standard web browsing protocols like HTTP/HTTPS.

◦Web pages are built with HTML or HTML5 and stored on the server.

◦Pages can be static or built dynamically in real-time.

Authentication Server

◦Often referred to as an AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) server, acting as the login server.

◦Manages login authentication to resources through centralized management.

Database Servers

◦Used for database table storage, saving information in columns and rows, similar to a spreadsheet.

◦Often are relational databases that link tables together using relationships, providing flexibility and speed.

◦Data is accessed using Structured Query Language (SQL), with common examples being Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL.

NTP Servers (Network Time Protocol)

Crucial for ensuring the time of day is consistent across all network devices

Spam Gateways

Designed to stop spam emails at the gateway before they reach the user

All-in-one Security Appliance

◦Also known as a next-generation firewall or Unified Threat Management (UTM) device, or a web security gateway.

◦Combines multiple security functions, including URL filtering, content inspection, malware inspection, and spam filtering.

Load Balancers

◦Distribute the load across multiple servers, making the process invisible to the end-user.

◦Common in large-scale implementations like web server farms and database farms.

◦Provide fault tolerance, meaning server outages have no effect, with very fast convergence.

Proxy Server

An intermediary server that sits between a client (like your web browser) and a destination server (like a website). Its main job is to forward requests and responses between the two.

SCADA / ICS (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System / Industrial Control Systems)

Refers to large-scale, multi-site industrial control systems

Legacy Systems

An expression for "really old" systems that may still be "really important"

Embedded Systems

These are purpose-built devices where you typically don't have direct access to the operating system.

IoT Devices (Internet of Things)

Refers to a wide range of devices that connect to the internet.

CNAME Record

Act as an alias, mapping one domain name to another