What is an Internet server?

What is an Internet server?

Internet server (web server) - this is a special computer, which is constantly switched on and connected to the Internet so that each Internet user around the world can access your website at all times. This computer is built up with selected high quality components, which can endure incessant work and high load.
Depending on the expected load and the type of services, which this computer will provide, different configurations can be set up. As far as database hosting is concerned, for example, a multiprocessor solution combined with small-sized but very fast and stable hard disks would do just great, whereas a single processor configuration with many large size hard disks would be apt with file/image hosting. To ensure better Internet connectivity, the given server is stored in a data center, where it is mounted into a special rack, which offers good ventilation and easy maintenance.
Putting the machine itself in a data center and connecting it to the Internet do not automatically make it an "Internet server". For this purpose, specific web server software has to be installed on it and configured according to the given platform. Among the most popular web server packages are: Microsoft ISS, Google GWS, lighttpd, nginx. After the installation and configuration of the web server software, FTP, E-mail, DNS, database, etc. software packages can be added as well.
Depending on the manner the given sever is organized and the services it's offering, it can be a separate independent system or a part of a hosting platform.