Which description best defines a server?

• A. A device that routes traffic between networks
• B. A personal workstation
• C. A computer that provides services to other computers, such as processing communications, file storage, or accessing a printing facility
• D. A handheld device used for mobile access

Answer: (C)

A server is a computer that provides services to other computers. It sits and waits for requests from clients and delivers resources or functions such as processing communications, storing files, or giving access to a printer. This makes it fundamentally different from devices that are used by people or that route traffic. The option describing a router refers to a device whose job is to move data between networks, not provide services to other computers. A personal workstation is a client device used by a person, not a server providing services. A handheld device is also a client, typically used for mobile access rather than serving resources to others. In practical terms, servers are the backbone that deliver services to clients in a network, including environments that handle cardholder data in PCI DSS contexts.