Web hosting refers to the process of storing and making websites or web applications accessible on the Internet. It involves providing server space, computing resources, and connectivity to enable individuals or organizations to publish their websites or applications and make them available for others to access.
When you create a website or web application, all the files, databases, and media associated with it need to be stored on a server. A web hosting service allows you to rent server space and resources from a hosting provider, who takes care of the server management and connectivity.
Server:
A server is a computer or a network of computers that stores your website’s files, databases, and other resources. It is responsible for processing requests from users and delivering the requested web pages or data.
Hosting Provider:
A hosting provider is a company that offers server space and resources for rent. They manage the server infrastructure, network connectivity, hardware maintenance, and other technical aspects of hosting.
Types of Hosting: There are different types of hosting services available to suit various needs and budgets:
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- Shared Hosting: Multiple websites are hosted on the same server, sharing its resources. It is a cost-effective option but may have limitations in terms of performance and customization.
- VPS Hosting: Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting provides a dedicated portion of a server’s resources to each user. It offers more control, performance, and scalability compared to shared hosting.
- Dedicated Server Hosting: With dedicated server hosting, you have an entire physical server dedicated exclusively to your website or application. It offers the highest level of control, performance, and resource allocation.
- Cloud Hosting: Cloud hosting utilizes multiple interconnected servers to host websites or applications. It offers scalability and reliability by distributing resources across the cloud infrastructure.
- Managed Hosting: Some hosting providers offer managed hosting services, where they take care of server management tasks, security, backups, updates, and technical support.
- Domain Name: A domain name is the address used to access your website (e.g., www.example.com). When you purchase a hosting plan, you can associate your domain name with the server so that visitors can access your website using the domain name.
- Website Files and Databases: When hosting a website, you need to upload the website files (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, media files, etc.) to the server. If your website requires dynamic content or data storage, you will also set up databases on the server.
Web hosting plays a crucial role in making your website or application accessible to users worldwide. The choice of hosting service depends on factors like website size, traffic, performance requirements, budget, and technical expertise.
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