Hosting Own Web Server

A Guide to Web Servers
Chris Armer

What is a Web Server?

Web hosting is a service in which people will lease web servers remotely in order to host their website. Web servers are computers on the Internet that host websites and their job is to deliver web pages to viewers when requested. Basically, a web server is a powerful computer that stores and sends data over the web.

Purpose of a Web Server

A web server stores website files and transmits them over the internet for site visitor's to view. When a user goes to a website, their browser communicates with the web server hosting the site, and the server responds by sending and receiving information that results in what the user sees on their screen.

How Web Servers Work

Every computer and web server that connects to the internet is designated an IP address. The IP address identifies the specific device on the network. An IP address is similar to a person's postal address as it shows where the information originates. When going to a website, a request is transmitted from the IP address to the web server's IP address. The web server will receive the request and respond by transmitting data to the IP address making the request. This is how all data is transferred back and for the between a computer and website. The capabilities of a web server can vary depending on the web host plan, size of the server, and the type of server.

The Value of Web Servers

The internet cannot exist without web servers. They play a vital part in how the internet functions. The web host providers lease and rent out web servers to businesses and individuals. There are various types of web server plans offered which are designed to meet one's online needs when hosting a website. Businesses can also own their own servers and enlist the services of a host such as with colocation hosting. These web servers will often being housed in high tech data centers.  Web hosting plans cam vary from the cheap hosting that is around $9.00 per month to more advanced hosting for a few hundred dollars per month.

Web servers are the entryway to the World Wide Web. When choosing a web server to host your site, it is important to compare plans and prices to make sure you get a web host plan that meets your needs.