What is a web server? One of the vital technologies that allows the exchange of data and services over the internet. Every Internet interaction, from accessing applications and websites to browsing content-rich sites, revolves around this. These are all possible through hardware and software that works behind the scenes.
Website servers act as a bridge between user website files when internet browsers want to access them. Although it is possible to set up your server, renting from a web hosting provider saves money, time, and effort. Web hosting providers rent space on servers or clusters of servers for people to create an online presence with a website.
In this article, we will discuss what a web server is, what web server software is, how web servers work, web server vs application server, web server examples, use, benefits, and configuration of dynamic and static web servers.
Let’s dive in!
The common question is, what is a web server in the computer? “A web server is a software and underlying hardware in a computer that accepts requests through HTTP or secure variants HTTPS. It stores, delivers, and processes files to browsers, emails, and data storage utilizing simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP) and file transfer protocol (FTP), making websites available to users.”
The hardware in web servers varies with the volume of requests that must be handled. Embedded systems are in the low-range end, like a router running a tiny web server. Websites with high traffic handle requests from hundreds of servers and run them on high-speed computers. Internet protocol addresses work as communicators in servers across the Internet.
The web server’s primary function is to display website content. If it does not do so, it is called an intranet server. Web servers are typically always connected to the Internet and have a unique IP address, usually in the IPv4 format, which consists of 4 numbers ranging from 0 to 255, separated by periods (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
Resources from the web server can be static content or dynamic generated at the time of request for communication with server software. Technology like REST and SOFT uses HTTPs as the basis of general computer-to-computer communication and has extended web server applications beyond their purpose of serving humanly readable pages.
To better understand a web server on a computer, let’s break down its components. The main components of web servers include:
Another important aspect of knowing about web servers is web server features, which include:
Log files track various activities on a web server, including security events, incoming requests, and error logs. Each time an event occurs, a new line of text is added to the log file, recording relevant details.
It is the amount of data processed and transferred at a time. Bandwidth limiting controls the speed of response or delivery of files quickly.
It is a disk space to store files. Storage space impacts the server’s ability to manage and host web pages or applications.
Server uptime processes requests and delivers files. It significantly impacts hosted websites and hosted games availability, and the industry’s best uptime guarantee is 99.9%.
Known as a server-side scripting language, it develops and runs programs on web servers such as Python.
Many web servers offer features before permitting partial or complete access to website resources. This often involves giving usernames and passwords asked by web servers.
Software web servers gain access through website domain names and ensure site content delivery to requesting users. The software has many components with at least an HTTP server that can understand HTTP and URLs.
The process involves several steps when web servers like Firefox or Chrome need files hosted on a website server. A person queries the URL in the browser address bar, and the browser gets the IP address of the domain name–either translated by DNS or in its cache. The browser responds and sends the desired page through HTTPs. Let’s look at one example to understand better what a web server is and how it works.
For example, When a user requests a site by URL like www.vpsmalaysia.com.my on a browser like Chrome or Firefox, the browser sends the request to the internet to view the webpage on that address.
Then, DNS converts this URL into an IP address like [192.168.216.345], which points to a web server. As a result, the user sees the page. The web browser searches the site through the file cache if it is frequently searched.
If the requested page does not exist or something goes wrong, the web server will respond with an error message and not display the pages. The standard error message is a 404 error, which tells that requested pages are not found. If the web server fails to receive timely responses from other servers acting as a proxy or gateway, then a 504 error occurs.
One web server can host multiple domains and handle tasks like receiving emails, storing applications, and processing FTP requests. However, the primary use of web servers makes them interactive and valuable.
If a user wants to publish something, then the user needs access to a web server or select web hosting and a domain name from a hosting provider. Website hosting providers provide server space for database and file storage; a domain name acts as the home address to help users. Selecting the best web hosting company is vital.
Web servers are commonly used for:
Other benefits of trusted and reliable network servers include:
Web servers distribute static and dynamic content. A static web server ID is composed of HTTP and computer software and is considered static because the server will send hosted files to the browser.
Dynamic web servers comprise static internet servers, extra software, and web servers like database and application servers. It is considered dynamic due to updated hosted files being sent to the browser.
Web servers for dynamic websites update hosted files like additional software to personalize content based on user interactions. This is perfect for sites of social media platforms and e-commerce stores. When visitors purchase a product, the dynamic site algorithm recommends a similar item in the same category on the next visit.
The internet server also generates content when it is requested from the database. However, this process is flexible and also more complicated.
Topnotch web server software includes:
Apache HTTP Server is a type of web server and open-source software that provides users with features to deploy sites on the Internet. It is one of the oldest and most reliable web server software, with the first version released in 1995.
Apache Tomcat is a second type of web server and an open-source container for Java code. It is a ready Java development tool for implementing Jakarta’s EE specification.
Caddy Web Server is a type of web server and open-source protocol, HTTP/2, that enables web servers written in Go. Simple, efficient, and portable, it has several features and supports automatic HTTPs using Let’s Encrypt.
Eclipse Jetty Web Server is a Java servlet container and Java web server. Jetty is used for machine-to-machine communication or within larger software frameworks.
H2O Web Server is an open-source software for web servers, that gives high-level performance and handles HTTP/2 traffic. Written in C, it is known for the best event-driven architecture, which allows handling requests without many processes and threads. This makes H2O highly efficient in CPU usage and memory.
Hiawatha Web Server is open-source software and a type of web server software system that provides simplicity and security with its small size. Designs for prevention from common website attacks, such as cross-site scripting (XSS) and SQL injection, are famous for those seeking secure web hosting solutions.
Leading web servers such as Apache and Nginx work with highly intensive systems. Considerations in selecting web servers include their work with the operating system and other servers, the ability to handle server-side programming, security characteristics, and set default values.
When considering web servers, it is vital to distinguish between web and application servers. A Web server serves static content like CSS, HTML, and images through HTTP and HTTPS. It is optimized to deliver quickly and does not run server-side code or manage complex tasks.
The application server handles dynamic content, interacting databases, and multiple protocols with features like session management or transaction handling. It is used in enterprise applications at complex levels.
| Features | Web Server | Application Server |
|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Static content HTML, CSS, and JS. | Handle business logic and server dynamic content. |
| Content | Static HTML images, CSS. | Dynamic business logic and database access. |
| Technologies for support | Http, HTTPs. | HTTP, HTTPS.TCP, JMS, and more processes. |
| Example Technology | Apache server and Nginx. | Apache Tomcat, WebLogic, and JBoss. |
| Request Handling | Managing client HTTP requests. | Processes application logic, and business rules. |
| Performance | Optimized for static content delivery. | More complex tasks like transaction management. |
| Language Support | Limited (HTML, CSS, JV). | Multiple languages (Java, Python, PHP). |
| Scalability | Highly scalable for static content. | More complex, typically scalable with load balancing. |
| Session Management | No session management. | Provide session management. |
| Execution environment | Does not execute server-side code. | Can execute server-site code Java, PHP, etc. |
| Middleware Support | None | For middleware like EJB (Enterprise Java Bean) for enterprise applications. |
| Communication | Primary communication through HTTP and HTTPS. | Support multiple protocols HTTP, TCP, RMI, SHOP, etc. |
| Transaction Management | No transaction management. | Provide transaction management like database transactions. |
| Enterprise Features | Limited to serving static resources. | Offers enterprise-level features like action pooling, messaging services, and distributed computing. |
| Security Features | Essential SSL, and TLS for secure communication. | Advanced security features like authorization and authentication |
| Usage | Ideal for simple websites and static resource hosting. | Used in enterprise applications, complex businesses, logic, and dynamic manipulations. |
| Client Side Support | Service content delivery to client Browser directly. | Typically communicates through internet servers and provides data rather than serving clients directly. |
Server optimization is needed to maintain an efficient and responsive presence on the internet. Server optimization is the technique of getting speed and efficiency or adjusting the server’s software and hardware configuration for delivery.
Web servers play a vital role in the performance of applications, ensuring they run smoothly and efficiently. Understanding web servers helps site owners optimize network performance through various methods, such as caching (e.g., cache, HTTP cache, application cache) to reduce server load, and optimizing resources like JavaScript, CSS, and images to minimize file size and the number of requests, which enhances page loading speed. Database optimization, such as regular defragmentation and table optimization, improves data retrieval time and overall performance. Additionally, using a content delivery network (CDN) helps distribute site content to servers worldwide, reducing load times based on user location.
The top benefits of optimizing network servers include:
Server optimization allows sites to remain accessible during traffic and prevents server crashes and downtime. This reliability is vital for availability and maintaining site reputation.
Network hosts enhance cost efficiency by detecting potential cost savings and reducing the need for additional lower operational costs and hardware.
Slow servers deter customers, but optimized network hosts handle traffic efficiently, leading to higher conversion sales and rates.
Slow-loading sites frustrated users with a poor user experience. Optimized servers give faster response time for retention and user satisfaction.
Optimized servers deliver faster content and improve user satisfaction and experience.
Enhanced server performance for site handling increased traffic with lessened functionality and speed.
Many optimization techniques, like CDN, provide added security benefits, protecting sites from DDOS attacks and other threats.
By optimizing internet servers, organizations can reduce the number of servers or server locations used, maximize data center efficiency, and boost their business performance.
To illustrate a web server, consider how a website like Google processes billions of queries daily. Some examples of web servers are:
IIS is a Microsoft web server for Windows, including the 2019 Windows Server and Windows 10. It is secure and known for its exemplary support, supporting containers, HTTP strict transport security, and new management enhancement.
The Lighttpd network server is available for Linux, Solaris, macOS, and Windows. It is designed as the best software or support that powers web 2.0 sites where it is highly scalable. A high-performance network server package intended to power the delivery of web content to small and large sites alike.
Node.Js is a node server or application server. It enables developers to build server-side applications efficiently by using JavaScript.
Web server configuration influences its security and reliability. To ensure performance, server administrators carry a lot of tasks:
To protect sensitive data or mitigate potential threats, robust web security measures are essential. This set of firewalls detects the system and encrypts protocols. Regular patches of security are vital to keep hackers at bay.
Administrators configure parameters such as cache size, connection timeouts, and request limits based on the specific requirements of hosted websites. By fine-tuning these settings, the server can effectively manage incoming requests and deliver content quickly, ensuring optimal performance and user experience.
Performance optimization enhances the server’s ability to handle traffic spikes, reducing latency and resulting in faster response times.
A web server is essential for accessing and connecting websites to the Internet. It consists of hardware or software, each playing a distinct role in processing files. Internet servers primarily work to host sites, process HTTP requests, and deliver web content to audiences. Web server types deliver static and dynamic content to a browser.
A static website displays the same content to everyone, while a dynamic website shows unique content to each user. Purchasing web hosting is ultimately necessary and responsible for maintaining performance and security. By now, you clearly understand what a web server is and how it works.
Web servers are necessary to host website content, but not all web hosting options are equal. At VPS Malaysia, VPS gives more control and power than the standard web server. VPS hosting easily hosts websites, handles high traffic, and customizes servers for user-specific needs. If you want faster and more reliable web hosting features, explore VPS Malaysia VPS server plans and elevate website performance today. If you have any questions, ask in the comment section below!
Unlock the full potential of your website and learn how web servers work. Enjoy VPS Malaysia’s most reliable web hosting!
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