How Website Hosting Works
Website Hosting Explained
Website Hosting is the pillar of your online presence, allowing users access to your website over the Internet. First of all, understanding how Website Hosting works is vital to create a digital presence on the World Wide Web. Therefore, whether it is a private blog, or a business website that one needs to establish, working knowledge helps. Website Hosting comprises storing your website’s data files on a server and enabling visitors to access it over the Internet.
Server Basics for Website Hosting
A server is a powerful computer that stays always connected to the Internet. These servers are maintained in data centers by Hosting Companies. The data centers are equipped with very high-speed Internet connections, and high-security processes. In addition, highly efficient backup power supply is a must. Together, these guarantee continuous access to the website from anywhere a user wants to access the website over the internet.
Uploading Website Files
While a website is created with a website hosting provider, various types of files are also generated. Files such as HTML, JavaScript, CSS, images, and videos are required to host a website. Collectively, they form your website’s content. All these files are uploaded onto the server and stored securely. These files are then made available to users when they search for your business on the Internet.
Domain Name System (DNS)
The Domain Name System or DNS is like your phonebook but applicable to the Internet. We access information over the World Wide Web through domain names. A domain name is something like mywebsite.com or sports.org. You need to register and own a domain name to host your website. Consequently, the domain name acts as your address on the web.
When a visitor types in your domain name in a web browser, a request is sent to the Domain Name System server or DNS server. The DNS server then converts the domain name into an IP address associated with the name. An IP address is a unique set of numbers that can be identified by a server. For example, 101.210.130.65 is how an IP address may look.
Web browsers interact through Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses so browsers can load Internet resources.
Hosting Servers and IP Addresses
The DNS server directs a request to the website hosting company’s server where your domain is hosted. Every server has an IP (Internet Protocol) address. An IP address on the Internet is akin to the street address of a physical location.
Retrieving Website Content
When the browser gets to know the IP address, it directly connects to the hosting server seeking the website’s files. As a result, the server sends those files to be displayed on the browser in the form of a web page. Consequently, the user gets access to the data stored on the hosting server. This entire process is possible through website hosting on a hosting company’s server.
