Web
Server Fundamentals
Although there are many means to implement a web server
the fundamental way a web server provides web pages
is by storing the content of the web page in files
on a hard drive. It provides these files using Hypertext
Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to a user that requests it
through his web browser as a web page.
Many
web servers include other functions such as email,
File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and programs to create
web pages. A web server also acts as the front-end
for application servers and provides access to application
programs. The web server is an integral part of making
applications available via the web.
When
numerous companies have their web sites on a single
web server it is called a virtual web server or virtual
hosting. When the web server has a single company's
web site it is called a dedicated web server or dedicated
hosting. A dedicated web server also can be part of
a cluster to improve throughput and reliability.
Web
Server Hosting
A web server can be hosted in corporate data centers,
but the trend is to outsource them to hosting companies
for increased reliability, security, 24/7 monitoring,
and lower costs. If possible, find a hosting company
that has a tier 1 data center for increased levels
of redundancy and improved system uptime.
Web
Server 
