Purpose and Principles of Web Server and Application Server

As a rule, an ordinary user has associated such concepts as “web server” or “hosting”, with something completely incomprehensible text.  Meanwhile, there is nothing complicated in this matter. We will try to explain what constitutes a web server, why it is needed, and how it works, especially without technical details, but on the fingers, so to speak. To be separate, let’s focus on how to create and configure such a server on a home computer terminal or a laptop.

What is a web server?

The most important thing in this question is to understand that the server of this type is nothing more than a computer on the Internet with the appropriate software installed.

However, it does not mean that at home it is not possible to create its own configuration. Since we have more often with Windows operating systems, questions about creating a web server on Ubuntu (Linux) will not be considered.

What are web servers for?

A lot of information on the Internet is stored on servers of this type. At the same time, the same antiviruses are applied to them for updating their own databases. The user also directly refers to such servers to make requests in the browser (search for information, appeal to a page, etc.).

Therefore, it turns out that all the pages present on the Internet are stored on web servers, to which the user request or call is made, on the one hand, install the program, on the other hand, the result is given to the server to which access attempts are made.

How does everything work?

All users serve that you enter a resource on the Internet (website) on which information of a certain type is located, the WWW prefix (or HTTP) is simply entered in the address bar) and the subsequent name. Navicosoft is providing Cheap Windows VPS Hosting in Australia. But no one believes in how the webserver understands the request and reports the result.

In fact, it is necessary to distinguish between the concepts of server and client. In our case, the page published on the Internet is submitted precisely on the remote server. The user’s computer acts as the customer from which the complaint is made.

We use web browsers to get access the Internet. They translate the user request to the digital code recognizable by the webserver. The server processes it and returns a response in the appropriate code, and the browser is already converting millions of zeros and units into a normal type of text, graphic, sound, or video information posted on the page.

The most popular web servers

Of all the server software, Apache and Microsoft IIS are believed to be the most common. The first is more popular and more common in Unix-like systems, although it can be installed on Windows Wednesday. Additionally, Apache Server is totally free to use as well as compatible with almost all famous operating systems. Navicosoft is providing Cheap Windows VPS Hosting in Australia. However, as mentioned, it is mostly for professional programmers and developers.

Microsoft software product is intended for the average user who will install and configure such a web server for Windows without additional help from a qualified specialist.

However, if you continue from official statistics, Apache software uses about 60% of all existing servers, so the issue of installing and setting the initial configuration is considered in its example.

The web server at the home computer: installation

To install, you need to download a special server package, abbreviated as WAMP, which contains three main components:

1. Apache is a server software shell that can work independently, but only in the absence of dynamic content on the posted pages.
2. PHP is a programming language used by superstructures to manage dynamic content servers such as WordPress, Joomla, Drupal.
3. MySQL is a unified database management system that is reused when creating websites with dynamic content.

The installation can be done from the Wamp server package. To do this, it is enough to follow the instructions of the “master”, who will offer one of the steps to choose the Internet browser that will be used by default.

To do this, you need to go to the folder with the browser executable (if it is not) Internet Explorer, usually located in the program files directory). Along the way, the browser itself should be added to the Windows list. Navicosoft is providing Cheap Windows VPS Hosting in Australia.  At the target stage, a tick is installed opposite to the point of an immediate startup, after which the corresponding icon will appear in the system tray to select and change the localhost (localhost) startup.

If everything is done correctly, will appear home server. Next, it will ask you to install additional components (if you don’t, the system will throw an error). Most often, the installation concerns additional add-ins, items, and components that should be used by the server in the future.

An example to configure and test the server

The web server setting is a bit more complicated. First, in the system tray menu select the transition to the WWW folder (location of add-ons or HTML files). After that, register the following text in “Notepad”:

Hello!”; ?>

You can just copy the text into “Notepad” and save the file under the name Index.php in the same www folder (although you can do this as this step is used exclusively to check the localhost). Instead of the greeting, you can insert another text or text.

Then you need to refresh the page (F5) in the browser, after which the content will appear on the screen. However, the page is not available for other computers.

In order to open access, you need to modify the httpd.conf file that speaks to the section home page. The following lines:

Allow order, reject

With a view to understanding the essence of how the home web server works or the settings of the home web server, only the most important and brief information is given here in order to give a general understanding, so to speak. In fact, all the processes are much more complicated, especially in relation to the conversion of requests and the issuance of responses, not to mention the server settings at home. If the user has a desire to understand these issues, there is no need to go without the first knowledge of the same WordPress add-in and PHP language. On the other hand, primitive pages, which basically contain only text information, can use this initial information.

Although the terms web server and the application server are often used interchangeably to refer to the same thing i.e. the proper functioning of the website, however, they are not the same. Rather, they work together to deliver content from end-user websites. Navicosoft is providing Cheap Windows VPS Hosting in Australia.  The web server may refer to the program that accepts and executes incoming requests for web resources from customers worldwide. It serves these requests along with optional content which is usually HTML pages, image files, video files, etc. Application Server serves dynamic content for end-users using various protocols, including HTTP. This article explains the difference between them.

What is a web server?

Web server is nothing else software dedicated to processing web requests. It accepts incoming requests in the form of static content, which is the main component of a website including HTML pages, graphic and video files, etc., responding to requests via HTTP protocol along with additional data content. The main task of the webserver is to deliver content to the World Wide Web in order to make it available to end-users. It can refer to a system made up of devices or software, or where the web content is stored. Speaking of simple words web server is a computer that delivers web pages as they are requested. Apache is the most popular and widely-used open source web server designed and supported by Apache Software Foundation.

What is the application server?

The application server is a term that is often mixed up with a web server, except that it can use different strategies to process queries initiated by a web server. This facilitates the hosting and delivery of high-quality business applications. It is often viewed as a three-step application consisting of graphical interface users (GUI), application servers and databases, and transaction servers. It serves as business logic for application programs through various protocols including but not limited to HTTP. This is a software environment that provides all the functionality needed to build and run applications based on the Internet and in business. Rather than serving static content, it is best suited for maintaining dynamic content and transferring applications from one device to another.

The difference between the web server and the application server

Web server and application server basics

The web server refers to devices or software or both for end-users over the World Wide Web. It looks more like a program that responds to incoming network requests for web resources using the HTTP protocol. It is also known as an internet server. On the other hand, the application server is a component-based software environment that facilitates the development and launch of web applications. Navicosoft is providing Cheap Windows VPS Hosting in Australia.  This is essentially a mid-level server program dedicated to enterprise logic for applications.

The web server is limited only by HTTP content, which is the HTT protocol for storing, processing, and delivering content to clients. The powerful computer creates websites over the Internet, and the connection between the client and the server is carried out using HTTP. In fact, it pushes multi-protocol business logic to client applications.

Web server and application server function

The web server’s job is to receive and respond to user requests, which are redirected to HTTP clients on their computers, either from a web browser or from mobile applications. The main goal of the webserver is to provide users with static content for viewing in web browsers. Application Server Task – Place and publish applications and business logic processes using multiple different protocols. It works with a web server.

Multiple threads

The web server responds to requests from multiple connections at the same time, but cannot process multiple concurrent requests in parallel. The idea of ​​using streams to improve processing speed just doesn’t work with web servers. On the other hand, application servers support multithreading as well as a number of other features such as isolation, combining, pool combining, load balancing, clustering, etc.

Web server and application server

The web server is based on Internet and intranet programs for e-mail service, download requests. FTP files, as well as creating and publishing web pages for customers using the HTTP protocol. It can be used separately or as a component on the application server. On the other hand, application servers can do everything that application servers are capable of and much more. You can create dynamic content for the maintenance of web applications and enterprise applications.

Web Server and Application Server: Comparison Table

Summary Web Server vs. Application Server

Web servers play a fundamental role in how the Internet works, without which the Internet no longer exists. In simple terms, web servers speak as a gateway between the user and the worldwide web. This is a system designed for end-user static content over the Internet. Navicosoft is providing Cheap Windows VPS Hosting in Australia.  It is only limited by requests from service customers only over the HTTP protocol. Application servers are more resource-intensive, providing intermediate software services with client applications over various protocols including HTTP. This is a platform designed to install, work, and surface to install, work, and services for end-users. Although both are required for the website to function properly, they are very different from each other.

Instruction

The word “server” – of English origin, literally means the “maintenance device”. In the field of computer science, the server is responsible for offering information on network resources.

When a website is created on the webserver, an IP address is assigned. IP – Abbreviation, “Internet Protocol”. The IP address consists of ten digits with dots (e.g. 127.21.61.137). In order to make a request from a web server about a specific site, the browser on the computer must first find out the IP address of that site. If this information is not contained in the browser cache, it is the corresponding request from the DNS server over the Internet.

Then the DNS server reports to the browser that IP address this site is located. After that, the browser requests the URL of the website on the webserver. The server responds, delivering the requested page. If this page does not exist, the server sends an error message. The browser receives a message and displays it.

In a professional sphere, a browser is referred to as a “client” and the webserver is “server”. These concepts are also related to computers. These computers that serve as web servers are called servers, and those that are connected to the Internet to receive information – customers.

The web server usually contains information about more than one location. Many hosting companies offer the location of hundreds and even thousands of websites on one web server. Each website is usually attributed to its unique IP address. Navicosoft is providing Cheap Windows VPS Hosting in Australia.  This address is decrypted by the DNS server to get a domain name.

Domain names exist because most Internet users find it difficult to store ten-digit numbers, which are IP addresses. In addition, these addresses sometimes change.

Each computer server provides access to information stored using numbered ports. Each server is provided by the server (email, hosting) There is a separate connector. Clients are connected to the service via the IP address and via the port.

When the client connects to the server over the port, it uses the protocol. The log is the text that shows how the client and server will interact.

Each web server is consistent with HTTP protocol. The elementary form of interaction understood HTTP server, It contains only one command: “Get”. Initially, the protocol was limited to the fact that the server sent the requested file to the client and disconnected it. Later the protocol was improved and the client started sending the entire URL.

When the user prints a URL link in the browser bar, the browser breaks the name into three parts: the protocol, the server name, the file name. The browser receives information about the IP address of the site through the name of the server, and it connects to the server to the server. The browser is then connected to the webserver on this IP address via the port. According to the protocol, the browser sends the command server “Get”. The server sends the text in HTML format on a web page. The browser reads HTML tags and formats the page for the client’s computer screen.

Most web servers use security measures. For example, they can restrict access to password and login information. Advanced servers increase the level of security and protect the resource encryption information between the client and the server on the personal data (credit card number, phone number) remained inaccessible to other users. All of the above refers to the so-called static pages, i.e; those that remain unchanged until the creator fixes them.

But there are also dynamic pages. On them, any user can search keywords, create entries in guest books, comment. In this case, the webserver processes information and generates new pages. In most cases, CGI scripts are used – special commands that allow you to modify the web page.

Over time, every web developer (blogger, web designer, or web programmer) brings a special testing area where you can easily do site development or test any other web project. Navicosoft is providing Cheap Windows VPS Hosting in Australia.  Some newbies use the resources of their paid hosting and put at least two sites there. One worker (main), and the other (additional) for checking. Test site undergoes various tests (installation and verification of many plugins, themes, scripts, etc.).

As a result, with such a layout, the main place of work suffers significantly, since most hosting resources consume a test project. However, there is another way that allows without a loss (both in currency and resource plan) to test your sites and we now consider this way.

Why not?

You probably already know that you are putting your website on the Internet, you need to register domain name Buy hosting, i.e Hard disk space on a high-speed port computer. where they can work on PHP scripts.  For sites to be fully functional, PHP and MySQL must be installed. All of this is not available from the usual computer. How can HTML and PHP files be launched on your computer?

An ordinary file can be opened with Noteponat++ or even by Notepad. It writes something into it, saves it, and then without any problems open this file in your browser and see what this file looks like when hosted on the web. That is, we are already visible HTML page.  In it, we can create a specific design, content and view the project without connecting to the Internet. Everything we essentially already have. If we want to run a PHP file using a browser, we will not be successful, since PHP scripts in the running windows system will not work without additional software.

All this is not available on the usual computer, along with which the opportunity to collaborate with its web projects disappears. Therefore, some newcomers start spending more resources on their paid hosting. But how am I supposed to be in this case? The answer is simple – there are special programs that allow you to install your dedicated server directly on your computer.

What is the server?

What server and what is different? In our case, the server does not imply a computer, but a special set. Programs offer optimal location work. In order to create the location, we need to install them in a specially designated location on the server (). That is, we upload the site files to the remote computer. However, without special server programs, our downloaded files are not visible on the network. Navicosoft is providing Cheap Windows VPS Hosting in Australia.  Now for such purposes, we will create our own server independently home computer.

For this, we need special programs. But what is better and what difficulties can they call with further work? For the sake of notice, I get below the best web servers in popular worldwide. However, this does not mean that they need to install immediately. I’ll explain why!

List of the best web servers

There are currently several solutions on the market from different manufacturers:

(Apache.org.) Is the most common and popular free server on the net. It is more reliable and flexible. The server does not demand processor resources and can serve many locations. The application is available for a wide range of operating systems, including Unix, Linux, Solaris, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, and others. Right now, Apache usage is 71%. However, this is a complex program that not every newcomer can handle.

(www.iis.net) – another reliable server. from Microsoft. He stared at 14% of network usage consumption in second place. After installing the program, only two programming languages ​​are supported ( VBScript and JScript. ). However, you can open additional features by setting the desired extensions for them. With the installation of such modules, the functionality of this server will be significantly increased.

Nginx (nginx.org/ru) – This is the most popular web server on the Russian Internet. Compared to the first one, it is the most basic and has no additional features. It is also praised for reliability and fast work speed. The developer of this product is our COMFRATRIOT – IGOR SYSTEM. In 2004 it released the first version of Nginx. The new software includes the three most popular web servers in the world. Its usage is about 6.5%.

(Litespeedtech.com) – This web server doesn’t own big capabilities but it’s very fast speed work. By speed, it is more powerful than 9 times than popular Apache. A lot of attention is paid and security (its protection against system overload, strict inspection of HTTP requests, anti-DDOs, and much more). Litespeed is available for Solaris, Linux, FreeBSD, and Mac OS X. The share of this program is 1.5%.

Of course, there are many other similar programs, but the percentage of their use and trust among users is not as high as this one. Unfortunately, one such program you can’t do. Navicosoft is providing Cheap Windows VPS Hosting in Australia.  Not only is it appropriate to use for working with large projects, but it is also difficult to install and configure. In addition to such servers, further installation and configuration of some programs are required (for example, to work with the database). All this causes significant difficulties for many users. How am I supposed to be in this case?

Local Server Features

At the moment there are many different distros that can make life easier for any novice webmaster. They are very easy to install, work with, less demanding on resources, and contain the necessary software elements for the best work.

So local server – This is not a program (not a specific web server) and a special collection containing lightweight options for complex server programs. Usually, the assembly includes the server itself (most often Apache, but maybe others ), PHP compiler ( it allows the browser to read the codes and collect the page.).All this greatly simplifies the case instead of we installed and tuned to each program separately.

In addition, separate modules can be attached to the basic packages of local servers to extend functionality. Another important feature is that on some servers there is an opportunity to work with a removable flash drive. In general, such builds are very suitable for developing sites quickly, testing small projects, and sometimes even large ones.

Overview of popular local servers

Here are some builds that may be useful to you:

(Denwer.ru) – This is a free domestic server designed to work with websites, web applications, or Internet pages. Its developers are Dmitry-Koters and Anton Sostvev. Here is a web server apache with various support, PHP MyAdmin, and MySQL panels for working with databases and other programs. Navicosoft is providing Cheap Windows VPS Hosting in Australia.  You can also work with a removable flash drive. Unfortunately, Denver only supports Windows operating system.

 

XAMPP(www.apnefriends.org/de/xampp.html) – special server montage by Apache friends. With the necessary distributions, you can run a full-fledged web server. This program applies to free and supports operation in Windows system, Solaris, Mac OS X, and Linux. There are also the following advantages: the server is popular with its very simple user interface, which makes it loved by many beginners; There are several appearances updated versions; The update process is very easy and convenient for the user. There are additional modules. You can also download the version you want from another official location – sourceforge.net/projects/xampp/files.

(www.appservnetwork.com) – An excellent server from the Thai manufacturer, the concept of which is easy installation and configures all distributions in 1 minute. The first assembly release took place in 2001 and since then the number of users has been growing. AppServ is very easy to install, it works stably, and is no worse than official and individual releases, and its reliable performance allows you to create a full-fledged web server on your computer.

(trigo.sourceforge.net) – Another good and easy to install on a local server. The assembly is very flexible, has good performance, and takes up little disk space. Unfortunately, only works on Windows.

Zender Server COMMUNITY EDITION (www.zend.com) – A free server from Zend that works with web applications. Contains all the components needed to quickly deploy a local server on your computer.

(Open-server.ru) – This is a domestic portable local server that has high functionality for developing and creating websites and other web projects. Supported operation from removable media.

(Wampserver.com. ) – another good montage with the Russian interface (there are other languages​​). There is a simple and understandable menu, and convenient installation and adjustment of the assembly do not cause any particular difficulties. The setting can be done without affecting the configuration files, which is very useful for the novice webmaster. The server is freely distributed and only works on the Windows platform. Unfortunately, the portable version is not yet.

(EasyPhp.org) – Very simple assembly with Russian language support. The assembly is not remarkable, does not have huge functionality, and is mainly designed for testing small projects. There is support for working with portable media.

Servers that deserve attention between webmasters. As you can see, there is something to choose from. Download your favorite server and find out the composition of their montage on the official sites indicated in the description. Navicosoft is providing Cheap Windows VPS Hosting in Australia.  I advise you to download them only from official websites because on other sites you can put non-working distributions or with some viruses. Now many are disappearing with the desire to “rape” their hosting, how such a process of creating websites and web applications becomes more interesting and exciting! In general, learn and embarrassed!

 And what server to test your projects do you use? If you know some good servers, write about them in the comments. I then add them to the general list.

 

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