There is a whole process going on behind an internet user simply browsing the internet and clicking on links, that no one can see. When an internet user is browsing on the web or checking his social media, or even reading an article, he is using one or more web servers. A web server is an essential component of the internet and it works as the connecting link between the user and the website he is browsing. This idea will be explored further in this article. You need a working internet connection to be able to reach out to web servers or visit a website. Comcast’s Xfinity is available in the 39 states around the US. Their Xfinity internet prices vary for each area, however, it offers seamless streaming for heavy downloads, lag-free gaming, and much more.
Webservers – An Introduction
With a running internet, you can reach out to a web server for website information. A web server is a physical computer that receives a user’s request to access a particular website and then sends back the requested information. Think of web servers as telephones, without any wires or communication system, rather there is a communication protocol called HTTP that is being used to communicate with them. HTTP or Hypertext Transfer Protocol is the most common one that is used in communication with the webserver.
The web server needs to run at all times, without any interruption so that a user, anywhere in the world, can access it anytime. The web host, managed server, is responsible for keeping it up and running, protecting the server from any malicious attacks, and maintaining the transmission of content being requested.
How Does the Webserver Work?
When an internet user enters a website URL, the web browser, which is known as the web client, sends a message to the web server hosting the website using HTTP. The message claims that the web client needs the website content. The web server then acknowledges the message, arranges the website content that the web client needs, and then sends it to the web client. The web server also uses HTTP to communicate. The web client then receives the website content and tailors it to the internet user’s viewing. This process repeats all over when the internet user clicks on any hyperlinked text or image. With every click, the web client communicates with the web server using HTTP, and the webserver responds the same way, along with the contents requested.
The time taken for the website to load (or for the webserver to send a response back) depends on the amount of content displayed on the page; the more content a webpage needs, the longer it will take for the webserver to respond.
Web Hosting
The reason why web servers have all the information about a particular website’s template is due to the web server’s 24/7 availability. It makes them a viable option for keeping the websites running. Many website owners hire a webserver company to manage their websites. Some big companies and organizations even have their own web server system to keep their online business running. Following are the features to be found in a good web server or a web hosting service:
- Available at all times, 24/7
- Always connected to the internet, though they also experience downtimes and system troubles
- web servers can have the same IP address
- maintained by a third party
Communication Through HTTP
As the name suggests, HTTP refers to the method of transferring hypertext between two computers. Both the computers use protocols as a set of rules to follow during communication. The web client or browser client is the only one that can communicate with the web servers. The web client needs an IP address or URL to be able to reach out to a particular web server. And the webserver must answer the client’s every HTTP request, even with an error message.
In conclusion, a web server hosts a single website or multiple while using some software and hardware resources. It is also called virtual hosting. If internet users want to build a website and maintain the website’s online appearance, they can reach out to web server companies. It can enable their website to reach millions of users worldwide.