Web Server Software Program

A Web Server Software Program is a server software program that handles HTTP requests (to serve web content to web clients).

• Context:
  • It can typically process HTTP Protocol through request handlers.
  • It can typically serve Static Content through file system access.
  • It can typically generate Dynamic Content through application server integration.
  • It can typically manage Web Sessions through session handlers.
  • It can typically support Web Security through security protocols.
  • ...
  • It can often handle Virtual Hosts through domain configuration.
  • It can often provide URL Routing through route handlers.
  • It can often enable Web Caching through cache systems.
  • It can often support Web Modules through plugin systems.
  • It can often maintain Access Logs through logging systems.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Basic Web Server to being an Enterprise Web Server, depending on its deployment scale.
  • It can range from being a Static Web Server to being an Application Web Server, depending on its content type.
  • It can range from being a Single Site Server to being a Multi Site Server, depending on its hosting scope.
  • ...
  • It can integrate with Load Balancer for request distribution.
  • It can connect to SSL Certificate for secure communication.
  • It can support Web Application through application containers.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Open Source Web Servers, such as:
    • Apache HTTP Servers, such as:
      • Apache HTTPD Server for general purpose hosting.
      • Apache Tomcat Server for java applications.
    • NGINX Servers, such as:
      • NGINX HTTP Server for high performance hosting.
      • NGINX Plus Server for enterprise deployments.
  • Commercial Web Servers, such as:
    • Microsoft Web Servers, such as:
      • IIS Server for windows platforms.
      • Azure Web Server for cloud hosting.
    • Enterprise Web Servers, such as:
      • WebSphere Server for enterprise applications.
      • WebLogic Server for business platforms.
  • Specialized Web Servers, such as:
    • Embedded Web Servers, such as:
      • Lighttpd Server for lightweight hosting.
      • Cherokee Server for embedded systems.
    • Development Web Servers, such as:
      • Node HTTP Server for javascript development.
      • Python HTTP Server for local development.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • FTP Server Program, which serves file transfers rather than web content.
  • Database Server Program, which serves data requests rather than http requests.
  • Mail Server Program, which handles email protocols rather than http protocol.
• See: Web Server Instance, Apache Software Distribution, Wiki Software Program, Browser Software Program.

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