What is a web server?

The term "web server" refers to a web service that provides the components and information of a website (viflow WebModel) and transmits it to a client (end device) via a web browser (e.g. Firefox or Chrome). In this case, the web server is software that runs on a suitably equipped computer or server (central computer).

A web server can be used both locally and in company networks. Depending on the intended purpose, the content in question can be made available either only in the company or worldwide. Each web server is also able to deliver the content to several different computers/clients at the same time.

The term is also often used as a synonym for the actual hardware (the so-called "host"). This is wrong because, depending on the software installed, it can also be used as a file server, FTP server or for completely different purposes. 

Why do I need a web server?

So that the content of a WebModel created with viflow (which is based on HTML data) can be called up with any browser by all employees in the company.

Web server solutions

Most web server programs exist for Unix, Linux and Windows. An exception is Microsoft IIS, which only runs on Windows systems. The best-known software products for web servers are:

• Microsoft IIS (recommended; can only be used on Windows servers)
• Apache (open source, cross-platform)
• nginx
• XAMP/WAMP

If you are not looking for an in-house web server solution, there are many providers of so-called web hosting services available to you. These provide both the hardware and the web server software in data centers for use.

Web server installation and configuration

If you would like to install and set up a web server and this is not easily possible in your own company, we will be happy to support you. A web server can usually be set up online in 2-3 hours.

Simply send us a brief inquiry to ››› vertrieb@vicon.biz .