The World Wide Web has a client/server architecture. This means that a client program running on your computer (your Web browser) requests information from a server program running on another computer somewhere on the Internet. That server then sends the requested data back over the Net to your browser program, which interprets and displays the data on your screen.
The Internet connection can be hard-wired, or it can be a dial-up phone connection via modem to an Internet service provider (ISP). You're most likely to have the former at work or school and the latter at home. The only difference you will notice between the two is speed; otherwise, they work identically.
There are Web browser programs for just about any computer you can name, from dumb text-only terminals running on mainframes to off-brand personal computers, such as the Amiga. (I'll list and discuss the most popular browser programs later in this chapter.)
However, a Web server needs a more robust Internet connection than a Web client does. A server should ideally be hooked up to the Internet via a fast dedicated T1 or T3 line that remains connected all the time. Otherwise, people trying to access your Web site will often find that it just isn't there.
It is possible (though excruciatingly slow) to run a Web site on a dial-up line, especially if you can find an Internet service provider who will let you stay dialed in 24 hours a day without disconnecting you. However, you must make sure that your ISP can assign a permanent IP address to your machine-not a new IP address each time you connect. Otherwise, people won't even be able to find your site.
HTTPD server software is available for a wide variety of computers Surprisingly, server computers don't have to be very powerful; serving up Web content is simply not that demanding. More of a concern is having a multithreaded, multitasking operating system so that the server can handle several tasks at once without bogging down. Storage is a concern, however, because Web sites are notorious for growing without limit.
- You run a Web browser client program on your computer.
- You connect to the Internet-at work or school via a direct T1 or T3 line; at home via a modem dial-up connection to an Internet service provider (ISP).
- You request a page from a site on the Web. Your browser sends a message over the Internet that includes the following:
- The transfer protocol (http://)
- The address, or Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
- The server receives your request and retrieves the requested Web page, which is composed in HTML (HyperText Markup Language).
- The server then transmits the requested page back across the Internet to your computer.
- Your browser program receives the HTML text and displays its interpretation of the page you requested.
The Client Computer
To browse the Web, you need a client computer. There are two basic requirements for this machine: it must have a connection to the Internet and must be capable of running a Web browser program.The Internet connection can be hard-wired, or it can be a dial-up phone connection via modem to an Internet service provider (ISP). You're most likely to have the former at work or school and the latter at home. The only difference you will notice between the two is speed; otherwise, they work identically.
There are Web browser programs for just about any computer you can name, from dumb text-only terminals running on mainframes to off-brand personal computers, such as the Amiga. (I'll list and discuss the most popular browser programs later in this chapter.)
The Server Computer
On the content-provider side of things, you need a server computer. This machine has requirements similar to those of the client computer: it must be connected to the Internet and must be able to run a Web server program.However, a Web server needs a more robust Internet connection than a Web client does. A server should ideally be hooked up to the Internet via a fast dedicated T1 or T3 line that remains connected all the time. Otherwise, people trying to access your Web site will often find that it just isn't there.
It is possible (though excruciatingly slow) to run a Web site on a dial-up line, especially if you can find an Internet service provider who will let you stay dialed in 24 hours a day without disconnecting you. However, you must make sure that your ISP can assign a permanent IP address to your machine-not a new IP address each time you connect. Otherwise, people won't even be able to find your site.
HTTPD server software is available for a wide variety of computers Surprisingly, server computers don't have to be very powerful; serving up Web content is simply not that demanding. More of a concern is having a multithreaded, multitasking operating system so that the server can handle several tasks at once without bogging down. Storage is a concern, however, because Web sites are notorious for growing without limit.
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