Role of an Internet Web Server

Web servers help make the Internet possible.

Web servers or Internet servers host web pages and make them available to people to visit on the Internet. The browser retrieves information from the server when a user types in a web address.

Files for Retrieval

Web servers store images and documents like HTML files. A browser retrieves and assembles the information allowing the user to see the web page. Other files such as Flash files, music files, video files and other files are stored there as well, depending on the type of web page.

DNS Server Communication

Each website name has a DNS number assigned to it. DNS servers exist between a user's computer and web servers. They tell the user's browser what server to go to to retrieve the data it needs to create the page. Each web server is assigned a number known as an IP (Internet Protocol) address that the DNS server matches with the site name.

Always Available

Good web servers are always available by using reliable operating systems and server software and by having backup servers available in case one goes down. Business-related sites such as banks or major utilities that accept online payments need to have as little downtime as possible or customers will look elsewhere.

References

• Module Hosting: What is an Internet Server?