Hello Dev, if you are new to the world of website development and management, you might have come across the terms “web hosting” and “web server” quite often. Although they sound similar, they are two different things. In this article, we will discuss the difference between web hosting and web server, and how they work together to make websites live.
Web Server
A web server is a hardware or software system that delivers web pages and other web content to users. When you type in a website’s URL in your web browser, the request goes to a web server. The web server processes the request, retrieves the requested files, and sends them back to your browser. Without a web server, your website cannot be accessed by anyone.
Web servers use various software programs like Apache, Nginx, and Microsoft’s Internet Information Server (IIS) to handle incoming requests. These software programs run on a physical machine or a virtual machine (VM) that stores website content and database information.
Web servers can also use various programming languages like PHP, Python, or Ruby to execute website scripts and generate dynamic content. The performance of a web server depends on its hardware resources, such as CPU, RAM, storage, and network bandwidth. The more resources you have, the faster your website will load and respond to user requests.
Types of Web Servers
There are several types of web servers, each serving a different purpose:
Type |
Description |
|---|---|
Static web server |
Serves static files like HTML, CSS, and images without any preprocessing. |
Application server |
Executes application code written in a programming language and generates dynamic content. |
Database server |
Stores and retrieves data from a database system like MySQL, Oracle, or MongoDB. |
Some popular web servers are Apache, Nginx, IIS, Lighttpd, and Caddy.
Web Hosting
Web hosting is a service that provides space on a server for storing website files and making them accessible on the internet. Simply put, web hosting is like renting a storefront for your website to operate from. You pay a monthly or yearly fee to a web hosting provider, and they provide you with server space, bandwidth, and support for your websites.
A web hosting provider stores your website’s files on their servers and makes them available to the public. They maintain the servers, install web server software, and take care of security, backups, and updates.
Web hosting providers offer different types of hosting plans to cater to the needs of different websites. Some common types of web hosting are:
Type |
Description |
|---|---|
Shared hosting |
Multiple websites share a single server, with limited resources and performance. |
Dedicated hosting |
A single website has full access to a server, with exclusive resources and performance. |
VPS hosting |
A virtual private server (VPS) partitions a physical server into multiple virtual servers, with dedicated resources and performance. |
Cloud hosting |
A website hosts on a network of multiple servers, with on-demand scalability and reliability. |
Web hosting providers also offer different levels of support, security, and features. Some popular web hosting providers are Bluehost, HostGator, SiteGround, DreamHost, and GoDaddy.
Web Hosting vs Web Server: What’s the Difference?
Now that we have discussed the definitions of web hosting and web server, let’s compare them in a tabular form:
Aspect |
Web Hosting |
Web Server |
|---|---|---|
Definition |
A service that provides space on a server for storing website files and making them accessible on the internet. |
A hardware or software system that delivers web pages and other web content to users. |
Function |
Stores and serves website files to the internet. |
Receives and processes requests from web browsers and delivers web content. |
Ownership |
Owned and managed by web hosting providers. |
Owned and managed by website owners or managed hosting providers. |
Location |
Located at web hosting provider’s datacenter. |
Can be located at website owner’s premises or hosting provider’s datacenter. |
Access |
Accessible via FTP, SSH, control panel, or web-based file manager. |
Accessible via SSH, control panel, or web-based administration console. |
Cost |
Charged as a monthly or yearly fee, based on the hosting plan and features. |
May incur hardware, software, or maintenance costs, depending on the server ownership and management. |
Support |
Provides technical support, backups, and security measures. |
May require website owner or managed hosting provider to provide technical support, backups, and security measures. |
FAQ About Web Hosting and Web Server
Q1. Can I use my own computer as a web server?
A1. Yes, you can turn your computer into a web server by installing web server software like Apache or Nginx. However, this is not recommended for security and performance reasons, as your computer may not have enough resources or security measures to handle incoming web traffic. It’s better to use a dedicated server or a web hosting service.
Q2. Can I change my hosting plan as my website grows?
A2. Yes, most web hosting providers offer scalable hosting plans that allow you to upgrade or downgrade your resources as your website needs change. You can start with a shared hosting plan and move up to a VPS or dedicated plan as your website grows in traffic and complexity.
Q3. How do I choose a web hosting provider?
A3. When choosing a web hosting provider, consider factors like uptime, speed, support, security, pricing, and features. Read reviews and compare plans from different providers to find the one that suits your website’s needs and budget.
Q4. Can I change my web hosting provider?
A4. Yes, you can switch to a different web hosting provider at any time. However, you need to ensure that your website files and databases are properly backed up and migrated to the new server without any downtime or data loss.
Q5. How do I access my web server or hosting account?
A5. Your web hosting provider should provide you with access details like FTP, SSH, control panel, or web-based file manager to access your hosting account. Your web server may require you to log in to a web-based administration console or use a remote desktop connection to access its settings and files.
Conclusion
In summary, web hosting and web server are two different things that work together to make websites live on the internet. A web server is a hardware or software system that delivers web pages and other web content to users, while web hosting is a service that provides space on a server for storing website files and making them accessible on the internet. Choosing the right web hosting provider and web server software can affect your website’s performance, security, and scalability. We hope this article has helped you understand the difference between web hosting and web server and make an informed decision about managing your website.