What is Web Server

Definition– Web server meaning that it can combination of software and hardware that uses HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) as well as other protocols for getting responds to each client requests made over the WWW (World Wide Web).Main objective of web server is to display the website content on the browser through internet.

On the hardware edge, web server is a super performing computer which helps to hold their software as well as website’s data files like as text, images, video, and application data. Web server make to connection with internet and to interchange all data along with other devices which are linked to web.

On the software edge, web server enables various parts which help to manage all web users access hosted data like as HTTP server. It is software that can understand all URLs (Web Address). HTTP server can be used by Domain Name of website, and it renders the all content of these hosted websites to end user’s system.

Web server is capable to host multiple website with using of same software and hardware resources; it is called the “Virtual Hosting”. But web server has some limitation speed of response to different types of clients as to prevent single client from dominating resources which are better used to sa2tisfy requests from a enlarge number of clients.

Types of Web Servers

Read More – Advantages and Disadvantages of Web Server

Here, we will spread light on the different types of web server; below explain each one.

Web Server Software List

• Apache HTTP Server
• Internet Information Services
• LiteSpeed Web Server
• Lighttpd
• Sun Java System Web Server
• Jigsaw Server
• Nginx Server
• Google Web Server
• Node.js

Examples of Web Server

You can also say examples of web server to this list of web server.

Apache HTTP Server: Apache HTTP server is the most eminent web server that is introduced by Apache Software Foundation. It is an open source server, and it can support mostly all types of operating systems like as UNIX, Linux, Windows, Mac O/S and more. Almost, 60% of systems execute on the Apache Web.It has great modular structure, so you have to access for customizing of Apache server, as well as you have also permission for adding own modules with this server as per your goals and needs. This is more stable than other using of web servers, and its all administrative problems can be resolved quickly.

Internet Information Services (IIS): This server has ultra performance from Microsoft. IIS server provides all features of Apache server, but it is not open source program.
IIS server can be run on Windows NT/2000 and 2003 platforms (and may be on upcoming new Windows version also).
Its customer support service is much better so you can resolve all issues of server with using of their services.

LiteSpeed Web Server (LSWS): It has also higher performance, but it is uses as commercial web server. If you want to improve performance and low operating cost then you can upgrade your web server with LiteSpeed. It is more supportive with few common features like as mod_rewrite, .htaccess, and mod_security. LSWS has ability to replace all Apache functions, easy to use, and easier with simple to make transition from Apache.

Lighttpd: It is pronounced as “Lightly”, and it is designed in March, 2003. It is also open source web server that is distributed on FreeBSD operating system.

Lighttpd is totally different from other servers because it consume less memory, small CPU load, and speed optimization. It is getting more popularity, due to use web frameworks like as Catalyst and Ruby on Rails

Sun Java System Web Server: This server supports several languages, scripts, technologies which are needed for Web 2.0 like as PHP, Python, and more. It is also not an open source program that means you cannot make any modification as per your goals.It has ability to handle multi threading and multi process system, and it also provides best data protection and command line interface CLI support.

Jigsaw Web Server: Java language is used for introducing of Jigsaw server, and it is able to run PHP code as well as CGI (common gateway interference) scripts.

This server is available as open-source program that means you have to right to modification of its program as per your needs and goals, and its updated program can be installed  on your devices which are supported to Java language.

Nginx Web Server: It is also open source web server, and it has ultra performance, better stability, easy configuration, and less resource usage. This server enables
IMAP/POP3 proxy server.
It is not able to use threads to manage all requests instead of higher scalable event-driven architecture that implements small and predictable amount under load.

Google Web Server (GWS): GSW is an Linux based web server, and Google uses it for their online services. It is placed on the center of all that Google does online.

Node.js: This type of server provides the JavaScript environment on server edge that is implemented in network applications like as web server.
It is introduced by Ryan Dahi, in 2009, and it is controlled by Node.js Foundation, but it is assisted with Linux Foundation’s Collaborative Project program. 

Working of Web Server

Read More – Features and Characteristics of Web Server 

In this section, we will discuss about that how does work web server; below explain properly.

User can see web page on the internet when browser sends multiple requests web pages from web server side then web server responds with serving those pages.

Getting IP Address from DNS: In the First step, web browser gets the IP (Internet Protocol) from domain name. IP address can be received with two methods like as Finding IP address in Cache and requesting IP address in multiple DNS (Domain Name Servers).

Browser Request Fully URL: Web browser fully aware which IP address website is located at, so it can send request full URL from server side.

Web Server sends Requested Page: Now web server responds with sending requested web page toward web browser. If those web pages do not present then appropriate error message will be display on the web browser. For example – “Error 404 will be display, if your requested pages do not present”.” Error 401 will be display, if user inserts incorrect credential information such as username and password.”

Requested Web Page is Displayed on the Browser: In the finally, web browser receives appropriate requested web page by user and views it.

Uses of Web Server

Web server is a part of larger package of internet and intranet similar programs which are used for fulfill these purposes; like as

• Sending and receiving web pages

• Downloading requests for File Transfer Protocol (FTP) files

• Creating and publishing web pages