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Standalone server

Standalone server definition

A standalone server is a computer server that operates independently without relying on any other servers to function. It is self-contained, meaning all the necessary software and applications it needs to perform its tasks are housed within that single machine. While a standalone server can connect to a network and be used by multiple clients, its operations are not dependent on other servers. That’s what makes standalone servers simpler to set up and manage.

See also: application server

Standalone server advantages

  • Simpler setup. Standalone servers are often more straightforward to set up and manage because they’re less complex and not intertwined with others.
  • Cost-effective. The initial setup is cost-efficient because there’s only one server to buy and set up.
  • Independence. Because they’re self-contained, the standalone server remains unaffected if other servers or systems fail or are compromised in a network.
  • Direct control. Administrators have direct control over the standalone server without the complexities of interconnected server systems.
  • Predictable performance. With only one server handling tasks, predicting what may slow performance and addressing those issues is often easier.

Standalone server limitations

  • Single point of failure. The biggest drawback is that if the standalone server fails, there’s no backup to take over its tasks.
  • Scalability issues. When the standalone server reaches its storage or processing power capacity, scaling up can be challenging.
  • Lack of redundancy. If data is lost or corrupted, there is no immediate backup available.
  • Maintenance downtime. Maintenance tasks, updates, or upgrades might require taking the server offline, leading to service interruptions.