How Does Web Hosting Work?

How Does Web Hosting Work?

Web hosting begins with a website. A website is a collection of web pages that can be viewed over the internet with the help of a software called a browser. There are many kinds of browsers such as Internet explorer and Netscape Navigator.

Before the page can be viewed over the network, it must be first stored on an identifiable machine called a server. The name server is derived from the behaviour of that computer – it serves internet pages to visitors.

After a website is created, the owner seeks and registers a domain name. A domain name is also called URL (Universal Resource Locator or Uniform resource Locator). The URL is a unique address of the website so that no matter where you type the address from, you are sent to one place. URLS are mutually exclusive, meaning there are no two instances of the same domain name to avoid confusion.

To register a domain name, you will have to approach an accredited registrar. There are accredited registrars for .com names , .org names etc. After registration, your website address is matched to a string of numbers called an IP address and the records stored in a database. Actually, when you access a website you are calling a record from a database.

So there are two machines here – One machine has the IP Address or the domain name and the other has the website itself – I mean the text, the photos, etc.

If a visitor types the website address, a search is made at the point of registration to determine if that domain is really registered and is available in the registrar’s records. If the name is available, then a request is made to the server on which you have the website to release the page being sought for, usually the home page. If you don’t have an index page, then the list of pages in the directory might be displayed in the browser.

A web server is a powerful computer in terms of speed, storage capacity and security. It can host a single website, dedicated hosting, or multiple websites, shared hosting.

When you request a website to be placed on a web server, you are actually renting the space. So you pay according to space, extra security features you want and the like.

Web hosts provide clients with an interface though which they can update or maintain their sites. Common gateways are cpanel. Vdeck or ftp. These tools are all browser based, meaning they can be operated from any internet connection.

There are specialized hosting services: we have email hosting, ecommerce hosting, database hosting, etc .

Web hosting comes with its own headaches. Owners have to provide a back up of all the files on your machines against attacks from viruses and system failures. In this regard, they will have to install anti-virus or other data protection facilities. They will also have to provide all-year air conditioning and dust control equipment.

They are also responsible for keeping up to date with the latest tools in internet technologies so that your clients are able to match new developments that technologies brings to the web. They also maintain 24 hour tech support to answer or clarify issues emanating from your clients. Above all, they are to maintain administrative records of expiring hosting services and be sending out notices and reminders.