The WebDev Buzz

The Internet offers an alternate world. That is, one’s existence in the real physical world must have an equivalent entity in cyberspace. It is no longer sufficient, especially if one has a business, to have physically existing stores. The business must have virtual stores. Such need is answered by Internet companies who offer web hosting.

People who enter a web hosting environment may go on with their lives, not knowing anything about how the virtual environment functions. This is acceptable if the website of such person is meant for purely personal advertising or for a fun hobby. But if the website is for business purposes, it will be advantageous to have a working knowledge of how the components of the web hosting environment works.

Here are the usual components of a web hosting environment:

• Web Server – It is a software that receives, understands, and enforces requests sent through the HTTP or Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The most common of such requests is to deliver image files (in JPEG, GIF, and PNG formats) and HTML (Hypertext Mark-up Language) files.
• FTP Server – This component is used together with the Web Server. The FTP Server acts as a sort of bridge that allows the transfer of files from one server to another. And when a person uploads or transfers his files from his computer to a web hosting environment, he utilizes the FTP.
• Mail Server – The Mail Server is made up of two parts, the POP and the SMTP. The POP or Post Office Protocol brings and stores an email in the mailbox. On the other hand, the SMTP or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol is the program used to send and receive email from one server to another.
• Database Server – It is a software that allows the Internet users to view the data from the web pages in various different ways. The same Database Server provides the owner of the website the capability to monitor the visitors, including their orders and comments. This software is run in conjunction with the Web Server
• Web Browser – It is a special software that allows people to view web pages. One example is the Internet Explorer. For most web hosting companies, the web browser has a control panel which allows web developers to configure the website.
• Website/Page Editor – It is also a special software that allows editing of the web pages over HTTP. This editing is based on the Microsoft FrontPage Technology and often utilizes the WYSWIG, which is an acronym for “what you see is what you get”. Unfortunately this software is vulnerable to hacking and other security problems.
• FTP Client – It is a relatively simple software that lets the website owner see the folders and files of his website in the way folders and files are viewed on a computer.
• Email Client – A special software that sends and receives email. Some examples of Email Clients are Outlook Express, Eudora, and Hotmail.
• Database Administration Client – This software allows a person to manage his databases, edit them, create a backup data, and do other administrative tasks. The most common is the Microsoft SQL Server (for Windows users) and the MySQL (for Linux and UNIX users)

Becoming a part of the Internet community is an inevitable event. But making informed choices will be easier if one is aware of the above web hosting components.