Dictionary of Computers - Web server

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Computer system that stores the HTML pages of a Web site and transmits those pages over the Internet to other computers when requested by Web browser software.

Web servers usually use either UNIX or Windows NT/2000 operating systems. The most widely-used Web server software programs are Apache and Microsoft IIS. Large organizations, and companies with fast connections to the Internet may locate their Web sites on their own Web servers. In other cases, Web sites may be located on a server at a Web hosting Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The Web server may also be equipped with e-mail and FTP services, database servers, and programming languages such as PHP, ASP, and Cold Fusion: such a Web server would be capable of hosting complex Web applications and electronic commerce (e-commerce) Web sites.

Web servers are a common target for hacking, so the software has to be installed and configured to try and prevent ‘denial of service’ attacks, and to stop hackers changing the contents of the Web pages.

The crown emblem was modernized in 1982. The colours date back to the 18th century. Effective date: 18 September 1982. >>