Overview
This lecture reviews common data center services, defining core technologies that support networking, security, file management, communications, and specialized industrial operations.
Core Network Services
- DNS (Domain Name System) servers translate domain names to IP addresses and vice versa.
- DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) automatically assigns IP addresses and configuration to devices on networks.
- Multiple DNS and DHCP servers support redundancy and reliability in enterprise environments.
File and Print Services
- File sharing allows centralized storage and access to documents, using protocols like SMB (Windows) and AFP (Mac).
- Print services manage print jobs, supporting protocols such as SMB, IPP, and LPD, and may be run by separate servers or within network printers.
Communication and Logging Services
- Email servers handle sending and receiving emails, needing high availability and redundancy.
- Syslog collects log files from network devices into a centralized SIM (Security Information and Event Manager) for analysis.
Web and Authentication Services
- Web servers host and deliver web content using HTTP/HTTPS and HTML.
- Authentication servers (AAA servers) manage user credentials and access, with redundancy for reliability.
Data and Time Management
- Database servers store and relate data in tables, using SQL (Structured Query Language) for queries.
- NTP (Network Time Protocol) servers synchronize accurate time across all devices on a network.
Security and Traffic Management
- Spam gateways filter unwanted emails before reaching user inboxes.
- All-in-one security appliances (NGFW, UTM) provide firewall, malware filtering, URL filtering, and VPN capabilities.
- Load balancers distribute requests among multiple servers, improving uptime and service reliability.
- Proxy servers mediate client-server requests, enhancing security, caching, and content control.
Industrial and Specialized Systems
- SCADA/ICS systems monitor and control industrial equipment remotely, requiring highly secure, segmented networks.
- Legacy systems are older but essential technologies still in use and critical to maintain.
- Embedded systems are dedicated devices with restricted OS access, designed for specific tasks and low maintenance.
- IoT (Internet of Things) devices are networked appliances and sensors that require network segmentation for security.
Key Terms & Definitions
- DNS — Translates domain names to IP addresses.
- DHCP — Assigns IP addresses/configuration automatically.
- SMB — File sharing protocol in Windows environments.
- Syslog — Protocol for centralized logging.
- SIM — Security Information and Event Manager, centralizes and analyzes logs.
- HTTP/HTTPS — Web communication protocols.
- AAA Server — Authentication, Authorization, Accounting server for managing user access.
- SQL — Language for querying and managing databases.
- NTP — Synchronizes network device clocks.
- Spam Gateway — Filters unwanted email messages.
- NGFW/UTM — Unified security appliances.
- Load Balancer — Distributes network/service load.
- Proxy Server — Intermediary for requests, provides control/security.
- SCADA/ICS — Supervisory/industrial control systems.
- Legacy System — Outdated yet essential technology.
- Embedded System — Self-contained, specialized computing device.
- IoT — Networked smart devices or appliances.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review definitions and protocols for each service type.
- Note any services present in your organization’s infrastructure for further study.