In all the digital transformation that we are constantly experiencing worldwide, you have probably heard of the term web server. Then you may be wondering what it is and what it are for.
It is normal that a person who is not immersed in the digital world especially that of web programming, does not know what it is or has overlooked it. But do not worry, in this article, we will clear all your doubts.
What is a web server?
A web server is a software and hardware that stores and delivers the content of a website, such as text, images, videos, and application data to the people who request it.
The web server hardware is connected to the Internet and allows data to be exchanged with other connected devices, while the web server software controls how a user accesses hosted files.
Thus, web servers are used in web hosting or data hosting for websites and web-based applications, or web applications.
What is a web server for?
Its main function is to deliver content every time a user requests their browser. This means that it allows users to see the content they want without much effort.
A web server communicates with a web browser using the hypertext transfer protocol, also called HTTP.
In addition to HTTP, web servers also support SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and FTP (File Transfer Protocol), which are used for email, file transfer, and storage.
On the other hand, it must be taken into account that the content can be static or dynamic, and depending on this it can be found in HTML or Java language, among others.
If the content is static, text or images will be displayed, while dynamic content refers to a list of sales items as part of a catalog, for example.
What are other web server utilities?
A web server can also cache content to speed up the delivery of requested content. In the same way, a web server can host a single website or multiple websites using the same software and hardware resources, known as virtual hosting.
While web servers often host websites that can be accessed on the Internet, they can also be used to communicate between web clients and servers on local area networks, such as a company’s intranet.
How do web servers work?
First, the web server software is accessed through the domain names of the websites as the delivery of the content of the site to the requesting user is guaranteed.
As hardware, a web server is a computer that stores web server software and other files related to a website, such as HTML documents, images, and JavaScript files.
When a web browser, such as Google Chrome or Safari, needs a file hosted on a web server, the browser will request the file over HTTP. Thus, when the web server receives the request, the HTTP server will accept the request, search for the content, and send it back to the browser via HTTP.
What is the step by step of how a web server works?
First, a person will specify a URL in the address bar of a web browser. The web browser will obtain the IP address of the domain name, either by translating the URL via DNS (Domain Name System) or by searching its cache.
This will take the browser to a web server. The browser will then request the specific file from the web server using an HTTP request.
The web server will respond by sending the requested page to the browser, again, via HTTP.
You can also host multiple domains on a web server.
What is the importance of understanding how web servers work?
If you have your website, understanding web servers is essential as any failure will directly affect the traffic on your website. This knowledge will help you better understand how your site data is delivered to site visitors and even help you choose the right web hosting company to store all of your site data.
Web servers are programs that can deliver the same or different files to hundreds of site visitors at any one time.
They are also part of a larger network of programs that help you send an email, download File Transfer Protocol (FTP) files, and create and publish web pages like the ones you own.
What are some examples of web server uses?
Web servers are often part of a larger suite of Internet and intranet related programs that are used to:
Send and receive emails.
Receive requests for files from the File Transfer Protocol.
Build and publish web pages.