What is an HTTP Server?

An HTTP server is a software program that delivers web pages to clients (browsers) over the HTTP protocol. It handles requests, processes data, and returns responses in formats like HTML, JSON, or text.

Key Components

  • Request Handling: Processes incoming GET/POST requests
  • Routing: Directs traffic to the correct endpoints 🔄
  • Response Generation: Sends back data in the requested format
  • Caching: Improves performance with temporary storage 📦

Step-by-Step Configuration

  1. Install Server Software

    • Example: Nginx or Apache
    • Use command: sudo apt install nginx (for Ubuntu)

  2. Configure Server Blocks

    • Edit nginx.conf or use .conf files in /etc/nginx/sites-available/
    • Add directives like location, root, and index

  3. Test and Restart

    • Run sudo nginx -t to verify syntax
    • Restart with sudo systemctl restart nginx

Advanced Features

  • Load Balancing: Distribute traffic across multiple servers 🔄
  • SSL/TLS Encryption: Secure connections with HTTPS 🔒
  • CORS Handling: Enable cross-origin resource sharing 🌐

Further Reading

For more details on HTTP server optimization techniques, check our guide on performance tuning.