A Web Server is a software or system that delivers web content to users via HTTP or HTTPS protocols. When a request is sent through a user’s browser (such as visiting a website), the Web Server makes this possible by sending an appropriate response, such as loading HTML pages, images, videos, and information.
An HTTP server is essentially a type of Web Server responsible for managing HTTP requests and responses. While all HTTP servers are recognized as web servers, this does not mean that Web Servers are limited to HTTP protocols only. Some Web Servers may also support other protocols such as FTP and SMTP.
How does a Web Server work?
When a user enters the address of a website in their browser, the browser sends a request to the web server where the site is hosted using the HTTP protocol. The web server then processes the request and sends the necessary response to be displayed in the user’s browser.
Simplified Definition of Web Server Processing
- User’s Request: This is the address that the user enters in their browser (e.g., https://www.example.com)
- DNS Lookup: To obtain the IP address of the website being requested, the browser communicates with the destination DNS server.
- Request Processing: The Web Server receives the request and processes it.
- Providing Response: The requested resources (HTML, CSS, JavaScript files, and images) are sent by the Web Server to the user’s browser.
- Displaying the Web Page: Based on the information received from the Web Server, the browser displays the web page to the user.
Types of Web Servers
Web Servers can be categorized based on their application, capabilities, and implementation methods. Here, several common and widely used web servers are explained.
Apache Web Server: The Apache web server is one of the most popular and one of the oldest open-source web servers. This means that you can use this web server freely and customize it. It is developed by a foundation of the same name, the Apache Software Foundation, and was first released in 1995. The Apache web server is very adaptable and customizable.
- Supported by various operating systems (Windows, Linux, MacOS)
- Has advanced routing capabilities.
- Provides suitable and specific configuration capabilities for different paths (a specific configuration for each directory).
Nginx Web Server: The Nginx web server (pronounced “Engine-x”) is a high-performance web server that is very popular among users due to its speed, scalability, and ability to manage concurrent connections practically. It was released in 2004 and quickly became popular due to its strong performance and scalability.
- Designed to manage heavy and high traffic on the server
- Acts as a Load Balancer and Reverse Proxy as a web server.
- Very useful for serving static content
LiteSpeed Web Server: LiteSpeed Web Server is a powerful web server known for its features such as high speed and security capabilities. The manufacturer of this web server, LiteSpeed Technologies, released this web server in 2003 to be a replacement for the Apache web server due to its performance characteristics.
- Faster processing than Apache in some scenarios
- Ability to handle DDoS attacks
- Support for PHP applications with high responsiveness
Apache Tomcat Web Server: This web server is designed to run applications written based on the Java programming language. It was released by the Apache Software Foundation in 1998. Also, being written in the Java programming language makes it a suitable option for running Java-based applications like Spring Boot.
- Support for Java applications
- Providing a robust environment for Java applications
- Compatibility with Apache web server
NodeJS Web Server: The runtime environment for JavaScript programs, namely Node.js, was not initially designed to be used as a web server. However, due to its ability to directly manage HTTP requests without the need for additional programs, it has become a suitable option among other web servers and can be used as a web server.
- Ability to support event-driven architecture
- Suitable compatibility and responsiveness in real-time applications
- Using the JavaScript programming language for front-end and back-end development
Microsoft IIS Web Server: The IIS web server is built by Microsoft to work with Windows Server environments. This web server is suitable for Windows-based systems and frameworks related to this operating system.
- Support for ASP.NET, PHP, and other web technologies
- Providing security features
- Excellent compatibility with Microsoft products
Which web server is right for you and when do you need to use it?
Choosing the right web server depends on your needs for your website or application. Here is a simple guide for you:
- Using Apache: If you need a reliable and highly customizable web server that can run on almost any system, the Apache web server is a good option.
- Using Nginx: If your website has a lot of traffic and you need a fast and efficient web server that can manage heavy and busy traffic, use Nginx.
- Using LiteSpeed: This web server can be a suitable alternative to Apache due to its higher security and speed, especially when you want to create a WordPress site or a PHP-based site on your server.
- Using Apache Tomcat: It is a suitable option for a website built on the Java programming language and you need the server to support Java Servlets and JSP.
- Using NodeJS: If you need a server to host a real-time application such as an online game and want to use JavaScript for its development, using NodeJS as a web server is a good option.
- Using IIS: This web server is very suitable for implementing Windows-based applications such as ASP.NET that require compatibility with Microsoft technologies.