---
title: "Short note: Web server"
subject: "Computer Networks and Security"
chapter: 6
key: "semester_7/computer_networks_and_security:web-server-note"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/computer_networks_and_security/web-server-note
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: Web server

Computer Networks and Security · Chapter 6: Application Layer

- Asked in: 2073 Shrawan, 4 marks
- Video: [Web Server and Application Server | Explained 🔥🔥](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thJSev60yfg) — Knowledge Center
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/computer_networks_and_security/web-server-note
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/computer_networks_and_security/chapter-6

## Question

Write a short note on Web Server.

## Short answer

A web server stores web content and delivers it to browsers using HTTP/HTTPS on TCP port 80 or 443. It serves static files directly or runs dynamic applications, and examples include Apache, Nginx, and IIS.

## Answer

A **web server** is a computer system with software that stores web content (HTML pages, images, scripts, videos) and delivers it to clients (browsers) on request using **HTTP/HTTPS**. It listens on TCP port 80 (HTTP) or 443 (HTTPS).

#### Working
1. The browser opens a TCP connection to the server and sends an HTTP request (e.g. GET /index.html).
2. The server finds the resource. If it is **static** it reads the file; if **dynamic** it runs a program (PHP, Python, Node.js, CGI) that builds the page, often using a database.
3. It sends an HTTP response with a status code (200 OK, 404 Not Found, 500 Internal Server Error) and the content.

```text
Browser --HTTP request--> [Web server] --> files / app / database
Browser <--HTTP response--
```

#### Features
- Virtual hosting (many websites on one server), logging, authentication, caching, SSL/TLS, URL redirection and load balancing.
- Handles many clients at once using processes or threads.

#### Examples
Apache HTTP Server, Nginx, Microsoft IIS, LiteSpeed.

#### Types
- **Static web server:** serves files as stored.
- **Dynamic web server:** web server plus application server and database.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What does a web server do?
   A. Stores web content and delivers it to browsers via HTTP/HTTPS
   B. Assigns IP addresses
   C. Sends email
   D. Translates names
   Answer: A. It serves content on request. (Key point: Role)

2. How is a dynamic page produced?
   A. Server reads a file
   B. Server runs a program that builds the page, often using a database
   C. Browser builds it
   D. DNS builds it
   Answer: B. Dynamic content is generated by code like PHP or Node.js. (Key point: Dynamic)

3. Which status code means Not Found?
   A. 200
   B. 404
   C. 500
   D. 301
   Answer: B. 404 is Not Found. (Key point: Status code)

## Related in Computer Networks and Security

- [Web and file server communication](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fcomputer_networks_and_security%3Aweb-file-server-communication) — Computer Networks and Security, chapter 6

## Related in other subjects

- [HTTP request methods; web server and virtual hosting](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finternet_and_intranet%3Ahttp-methods-config-virtual-hosting) — Internet and Intranet, chapter 4
- [Client-side versus server-side scripting](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fweb_technology%3Aclient-vs-server-side-scripting) — Web Technology, chapter 3, asked 3×
- [Internet vs WWW; client-server paradigm](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fweb_technology%3Ainternet-vs-www-client-server) — Web Technology, chapter 1
- [Server-side programming and Java Servlet](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fweb_technology%3Aserver-side-programming-servlet) — Web Technology, chapter 3