What is a server in the context of a network?

In the context of a network, a server is fundamentally a computer that provides resources, data, services, or programs to other computers, known as clients, over the network. Specifically, when referring to a web server, it is designed to serve web content, which includes HTML pages, images, and other types of files that can be delivered to users upon request via the internet.

When a client, such as a web browser, requests a webpage, the web server processes this request and sends the appropriate resources back to the client. This is a crucial role within the web ecosystem, as it allows users to access information and services hosted on the server.

While other options may describe components of a network setup, they do not accurately represent the specific role and function of a server in serving web content. A computer that requests data is a client, a device that connects multiple networks typically refers to a router, and a program managing access to centralized resources describes software rather than the hardware aspect of a server itself. Hence, the definition of a server as a computer that serves web content is the most precise and relevant in this context.