Most Common Internet Server Operating Systems
Most Common Internet Server Operating Systems
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Internet Servers (also commonly known as Web Servers), primarily function to deliver web pages on request to clients. When a user types a domain name into their browser, or clicks on a link, the request is first sent to a Domain Name Server (DNS). DNSs are servers that hold databases full of domain names and IP addresses. When a DNS receives a request, it matches the domain name (ie, www.CriketX.com) to the IP address of the server that holds all of the files that make up that particular website and sends that information back to the user’s browser. The browser can then send a request for those files to the IP address of the web server (205.134.224.227 for www.CriketX.com). If the site is hosted at a dedicated IP address, then the site can actually be accessed by simply typing in the IP address of the server and skipping the DNS server altogether. In the case of www.CriketX.com, the site is hosted on a shared server, so typing in 205.134.224.227 will not take the user to the site itself, but to a landing page on that server for requests that cannot be handled. Typing in the domain name serves two purposes in the case of shared hosting. First of all, it finds the IP address of the server, and also tells the server what directory the user is looking for. This allows the server to return the site that the user is looking for. Without domain names, shared hosting would be impossible and there would be a lot more web servers than there are today. When it comes to picking a server to host a web site, one of the big considerations is what operating system the server is running. This can make a world of difference in speed, compatibility, and reliability. In the world of Web Servers, there are four main choices of operating systems to choose from, just like in the rest of the computing world. The four options are: Windows, Linux/Unix and FreeBSD, Mac OS and Novell (webdevelopersnotes.com). The two that are
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Internet Servers (also commonly known as Web Servers), primarily function to deliver web pages on request to clients. When a user types a domain name into their browser, or clicks on a link, the request is first sent to a Domain Name Server (DNS). DNSs are servers that hold databases full of domain names and IP addresses. When a DNS receives a request, it matches the domain name (ie, www.CriketX.com) to the IP address of the server that holds all of the files that make up that particular website and sends that information back to the user’s browser. The browser can then send a request for those files to the IP address of the web server (205.134.224.227 for www.CriketX.com). If the site is hosted at a dedicated IP address, then the site can actually be accessed by simply typing in the IP address of the server and skipping the DNS server altogether. In the case of www.CriketX.com, the site is hosted on a shared server, so typing in 205.134.224.227 will not take the user to the site itself, but to a landing page on that server for requests that cannot be handled. Typing in the domain name serves two purposes in the case of shared hosting. First of all, it finds the IP address of the server, and also tells the server what directory the user is looking for. This allows the server to return the site that the user is looking for. Without domain names, shared hosting would be impossible and there would be a lot more web servers than there are today. When it comes to picking a server to host a web site, one of the big considerations is what operating system the server is running. This can make a world of difference in speed, compatibility, and reliability. In the world of Web Servers, there are four main choices of operating systems to choose from, just like in the rest of the computing world. The four options are: Windows, Linux/Unix and FreeBSD, Mac OS and Novell (webdevelopersnotes.com). The two that are
Bibliography: On which operating system (or, platform, in tech jargon) should I host my web site? Retrieved January 24, 2012 from http://www.webdevelopersnotes.com/hosting/web_host_server_operating_system.php3 Windows versus Linux for Web Page Hosting by Jennifer Kyrnin. Retrieved January 30, 2012 from http://webdesign.about.com/od/webhosting/a/windows_v_linux.htm Linux vs. WindowsRetrieved January 30, 2012 from http://www.planetnet.com/linux_windows_website_hosting.htm