Getting to Know 6 Types of Web Servers for Your Website

Web servers play a crucial role in facilitating your internet access. Without a web server, you wouldn’t be able to access anything on the internet. Unwittingly, this technology has become an integral part of human daily life. But what exactly is a web server, and what are its different types? Read the full explanation in this article.

What is Meant by a Web Server?

Before diving into the types of web servers, you must first understand what a server is. A server is a computer system that provides specialized services, generally related to data storage. The data in question can range from documents to complex information. The purpose of a server is to allow you to grant or provide access to information for internet users.

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Meanwhile, a web server is a software application that serves data to web clients or browsers. Examples of browsers that are highly familiar to the general public include Google Chrome, Opera, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.

This process of delivering data is incredibly beneficial for anyone searching for information on the internet. Content will be displayed on the website being visited by internet users. When someone performs a search using specific keywords, the website will send a data request to the web server.

Next, let us explore the different types of web servers, which are equally important to know.

What Types of Web Servers Can You Rely On?

There are quite a few types of web servers available. Despite having various trademarks, they basically share the same core function: to process data from clients and convert it into web documents. Here are the types of web servers you can rely on.

1. Nginx

First, there is Nginx, which is an open-source licensed web server. The main advantage of Nginx is its capability to handle web server requirements with extremely high traffic—something other types of web servers struggle to do.

Nginx also prioritizes performance, simplicity, and speed. This is what sets Nginx apart from other web server types. The following are some of the other advantages offered by Nginx:

• Exceptional Performance: Nginx is specifically designed to handle a massive number of client requests. It can even process up to ten million concurrent requests daily.
• Event-Based Architecture: Furthermore, Nginx utilizes an event-based architecture, which is considered more efficient at minimizing threads when processing client requests.
• Rich Features: Lastly, Nginx comes with a wide array of highly useful features for its users, such as file serving, access control, URL rewriting, virtual hosts, reverse proxying, and many more.

2. Apache HTTP Server

The next type of web server is Apache. The Apache web server is one of the most widely used servers on the internet. It was created by a software developer named Robert McCool and released in 1995.

From its launch up until around the 2020s, approximately 30% of internet content utilized the Apache web server. Its massive user base gives Apache a vast community. Consequently, whenever an issue arises, finding information and troubleshooting solutions is remarkably easy. Apache also offers a user experience that is easy to navigate.

In addition, Apache is a web server designed for the UNIX operating system and can be considered a direct competitor to Nginx. Apache supports various types of access control, PHP, and SSL. Furthermore, Apache falls under the freeware category and can be installed easily. Lastly, the advantage of Apache is its ability to operate across various computer and mobile operating systems.

3. Lighttpd

Next is Lighttpd, an open-source web server that can only run on computers using Linux, Unix, or their derivative operating systems. The advantage of Lighttpd is its ability to manage CPU load more efficiently. Additionally, Lighttpd features components such as SCGI, Output-Compression, URL-Writing, and FastCGI. These advantages are what differentiate Lighttpd from other web servers.

4. IIS (Internet Information Services)

Then, there is the IIS web server, which stands for Internet Information Services. Older versions of Windows, such as Windows 2000 and Windows 2003, typically use the IIS web server. This web server is supported by a wide variety of features and components, ranging from TCP/IP and DNS to web authoring software. Moreover, IIS is the only web server that natively supports the Windows .NET platform. However, IIS is a paid (proprietary) web server.

5. Sun Java System Web Server

The Sun Java System Web Server is an open-source web server that is relatively easy to use. Featuring a clean visual appearance and Graphical User Interface (GUI), it makes configuring, managing, and monitoring the web server straightforward. However, the Sun Java user community is not very large yet. Furthermore, its log types and password systems are considered fairly easy for hackers to breach.

6. LiteSpeed

Lastly, there is the LiteSpeed web server. The standout advantage of LiteSpeed is its performance, which is six times faster than Apache. In addition, it features built-in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection. A DDoS attack is a cyber threat where hackers flood a server, system, or network traffic, rendering the server unable to process information requests anymore.

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Now, you are familiar with the various types of web servers that play a critical role in ensuring smooth activities in the digital world. Therefore, make sure you use a web server with guaranteed performance if you intend to build a new website domain.

This requirement can be easily fulfilled through hosting services with dedicated environments, such as a Virtual Private Server or Virtual Private Cloud, which will be tailored to your specific needs later on. We also provide Domain registration services to complete your website creation. Feel free to contact Cloudmatika directly for more detailed information.