for navigating servers, I recommend using DayZ commander, since it allows you to see if the server you are attempting to join is official or not. Basicaly, there are two types of servers out there. Official servers, which are connected to the central Hive. On these ones, your character will carry over between servers. Then, there are unofficial servers or private hives. These ones are not linked to the central hive, which means that your character is bound to that server.