some types or examples of network servers are:

A network operating system provides basic network services, such as resource sharing and centralized management. For additional functionality, network software and peripherals can be added. While these options mayor may not be included with the network operating system, many are available from the NOS (network operating system) manufacturer, as well as from third-party companies. These options supplement the network by adding additional services.
Many of these optional components do not necessarily need a dedicated server. They can be loaded as a process or service on a server you already own. If your current servers are already running at high utilizations, or the addition of the optional service will overload a marginal server, you might want to consider dedicated equipment to balance the load.

Fax servers

A network fax server pennits users to send and, in some cases, receive facsimiles at their network workstations. Fax servers manage the re-direction of faxes to the appropriate location. There are many companies currently offering fax server products. Some fax servers are software-based products that are loaded on a server, while others are separate hardware devices.
Before selecting a product, make sure it meets your requirements. Some of the items to be considered are:
.Is it compatible with your network operating system? .What are the hardware requirements?
.How many inbound and outbound phone lines will it support? .Does it need any special telephone lines?
.Will it integrate with your electronic mail system?


Most products pennit faxes to be sent by simply selecting a special print device under Windows 95/98/NT /2000/XP .In actuality , the print device is not a printer at all, but rather a fax service that is advertised on the network in the same way as shared printers.
When the correct drivers are installed on the workstation, a user selects the fax server and merely uses the print option from any application to generate the fax. The drivers automatically prompt the user for a phone number and infonnation for a cover page. When the infonnation is complete, the workstation sends the fax job to the fax server, which sends the document.
Receiving faxes through a fax server is a bit more complicated. Generally, two methods are used. Each potential fax recipient is assigned an ID number. The fax sender enters this number by using the dial pad on a standard fax machine after the destination fax has answered the call. When the fax transmission is complete, the fax server uses the ID number to deliver the document to the appropriate user via e-mail or some other alert mechanism.
If the sender does not know the recipient's ID, the fax server will still receive the fax, but will not notify the recipient. Usually, the fax server will permit an administrator to view the first page of the fax, usually the cover page, to identify the recipient. The administrator will then have to manually send the document via e-mail.
The ability to route faxes to the desktop depends to some extent on the type of phone lines and modems being used. The ability to directly route faxes to a desktop based on an extension or ID number typically needs special digital phone lines and modems.


CD servers
A decline in the cost ofCD-ROM readers, along with the growing popularity ofCD- ROM media, has prompted an increase in CD server implementations. A CD server is usually a stand-alone device consisting of four or more, perhaps as many as 100 CD- ROM readers. These devices are frequently implemented with a runtime version of a network operating system. A runtime version is a minimal implementation of a network operating system that will provide basic file sharing and network access, along with the benefits of the NOS file caching scheme.
Installing a CD server can provide the entire enterprise with access to installation media, such as workstation applications, reference media and periodicals, or any other data needed by multiple users. The benefit of a CD server over a standard server implementation is cost. To purchase a full version of a network operating system with sufficient licenses for all users can be costly. A CD server is preconfigured with the CD- ROM drives and, with its minimal NOS, can be cost effective.

other types are cd server where you can have a library of cd's sort of like a tower where everyone can share the cd and it only requires one drive