Richfield

[Audio] Welcome, everyone. Today's topic is the backbone of the internet—web server hardware and software. We'll look at the components, tools, and strategies that online businesses use to run websites efficiently and securely..

[Audio] By the end of this session, you'll understand how web servers function, the operating systems they run on, how email and spam are managed, how utility tools help websites, what kind of hardware is used, and how cloud computing and CDNs are transforming web hosting..

[Audio] Web servers operate on platform-neutral environments. That means different operating systems and hardware can work together. Figure 2-1 shows how diverse clients and servers interact, forming a flexible and powerful network..

[Audio] Web pages can be static or dynamic. Static pages are fixed and don't change unless edited manually. Dynamic pages generate content in real time, reacting to user input. These are more interactive and often used in e-commerce..

[Audio] The table highlights the differences between static web page and dynamic web page. From their definition, contents, technology used, interactivity and examples of each web page. It talks about how static web page displays fixed content that does not change unless manually while dynamic web page Displays content that can change dynamically based on user interactions, time or other factor..

[Audio] The word "server" can refer to different things: a computer providing data, software managing that data, or a machine handling emails or databases. Understanding these roles helps us grasp how the web works behind the scenes..

[Audio] In web architecture, we have a client side (the user's browser) and a server side (the backend systems). Web servers handle requests, application servers process data, and database servers store it. All of these work together to power modern e-commerce platforms..

[Audio] Two-tier systems have clients connected directly to the server. Three-tier systems add an application layer in between. This improves scalability and security, which is why many e-commerce sites use a three-tier model..

[Audio] Web servers run on robust operating systems like Windows Server, Linux, or FreeBSD. These manage system resources, ensure stability, and support multiple users working at once.

[Audio] The most popular web server programs are Apache HTTP Server and Microsoft IIS. Others include nginx and lighttpd. Some big tech companies even create their own server software to meet custom needs..

[Audio] Apache is open-source, highly configurable, and widely used. It supports features like virtual hosting, authentication, and cross-platform compatibility. It's a strong choice for flexible and community-supported web hosting..

[Audio] IIS is tightly integrated with Windows and supports multiple protocols like FTP and HTTPS. It's known for its strong security, logging, and authentication features, making it ideal for businesses already using Microsoft environments..

[Audio] Email remains essential in e-commerce. It's used for customer support, marketing, and order tracking. When used correctly, it strengthens customer relationships and boosts brand engagement..

[Audio] Emails are cost-effective, have a global reach, and support personalized marketing. With automation and analytics, businesses can create targeted campaigns and track results in real time..

[Audio] On the downside, email systems face spam issues, delivery failures, and security threats like phishing. Too many messages can also overwhelm users or get lost in crowded inboxes..

[Audio] To combat spam, businesses use filters, authentication protocols, and tools like CAPTCHA. Educating users to be cautious and report spam also helps maintain a clean communication environment..

[Audio] Advanced filters look at the entire email message, not just the sender. They assign a spam score based on content. However, they must be used carefully to avoid accidentally blocking legitimate emails..

[Audio] Developers use utility tools like email managers, debuggers, and file checkers to build and maintain sites. These tools simplify development, security, and performance tracking..

[Audio] Tools like Tracert help diagnose network problems by tracking the path data takes from one computer to another. It shows where delays happen and if a destination server is reachable..

[Audio] Figure 2-7 shows a route traced from a Cox Cable network in Connecticut to one of the BBC's Web servers in London using the Tracert program on a Windows PC..

[Audio] Telnet lets users access remote computers, often for legacy systems. FTP is used to transfer files between servers. Though web browsers can do some FTP tasks, most developers use programs like FileZilla..

[Audio] Web servers use indexing tools for search, data software for visitor analytics, and link-checkers to remove broken links. Admin tools allow remote control and monitoring of web operations..

[Audio] Powerful servers are essential for busy websites. They have faster CPUs, larger storage, and more memory than regular desktops. Hardware choices depend on the site's traffic and content size..

[Audio] Servers consume a lot of power, especially for cooling. Green computing aims to reduce this environmental impact. Benchmarking tools help measure performance based on throughput and response time..

[Audio] Web server setups can be centralized (few powerful servers) or distributed (many smaller ones). These are organized in two-tier, three-tier, or n-tier models, often built into server farms for scalability..

[Audio] A load-balancing switch distributes traffic to the least busy server. This prevents overloads and ensures smooth operation, especially during peak times or major promotions..

[Audio] Cloud computing lets companies avoid building their own infrastructure. Businesses rent servers and services on demand. This cuts costs and adds flexibility—ideal for small startups and large enterprises alike.

[Audio] Let's reflect on what we've learned. Think about how you would explain the difference between static and dynamic web pages, or why a company might choose Apache or IIS. These questions help connect the theory to real-world situations..

[Audio] Thank you for your time, please enjoy the rest of the day..