A web server is server software, or hardware dedicated to running this software, that can satisfy client requests on the World Wide Web. A web server can, in general, contain one or more websites. A web server processes incoming network requests over HTTP and several other related protocols.
Table
| Server type | Purpose | Clients |
|---|---|---|
| Application server | Hosts web apps (computer programs that run inside a web browser) allowing users in the network to run and use them, without having to install a copy on their own computers. Unlike what the name might imply, these servers need not be part of the World Wide Web; any local network would do. | Computers with a web browser |
| Catalog server | Maintains an index or table of contents of information that can be found across a large distributed network, such as computers, users, files shared on file servers, and web apps. Directory servers and name servers are examples of catalog servers. | Any computer program that needs to find something on the network, such a Domain member attempting to log in, an email client looking for an email address, or a user looking for a file |
| Communications server | Maintains an environment needed for one communication endpoint (user or devices) to find other endpoints and communicate with them. It may or may not include a directory of communication endpoints and a presence detection service, depending on the openness and security parameters of the network | Communication endpoints (users or devices) |
| Computing server | Shares vast amounts of computing resources, especially CPU and random-access memory, over a network. | Any computer program that needs more CPU power and RAM than a personal computer can probably afford. The client must be a networked computer; otherwise, there would be no client-server model. |
| Database server | Maintains and shares any form of database (organized collections of data with predefined properties that may be displayed in a table) over a network. | Spreadsheets, accounting software, asset management software or virtually any computer program that consumes well-organized data, especially in large volumes |
| Fax server | Shares one or more fax machines over a network, thus eliminating the hassle of physical access | Any fax sender or recipient |
| File server | Shares files and folders, storage space to hold files and folders, or both, over a network | Networked computers are the intended clients, even though local programs can be clients |
| Game server | Enables several computers or gaming devices to play multiplayer video games | Personal computers or gaming consoles |
| Mail server | Makes email communication possible in the same way that a post office makes snail mail communication possible | Senders and recipients of email |
| Media server | Shares digital video or digital audio over a network through media streaming (transmitting content in a way that portions received can be watched or listened to as they arrive, as opposed to downloading an entire file and then using it) | User-attended personal computers equipped with a monitor and a speaker |
| Print server | Shares one or more printers over a network, thus eliminating the hassle of physical access | Computers in need of printing something |
| Sound server | Enables computer programs to play and record sound, individually or cooperatively | Computer programs of the same computer and network clients. |
| Proxy server | Acts as an intermediary between a client and a server, accepting incoming traffic from the client and sending it to the server. Reasons for doing so include content control and filtering, improving traffic performance, preventing unauthorized network access or simply routing the traffic over a large and complex network. | Any networked computer |
| Virtual server | Shares hardware and software resources with other virtual servers. It exists only as defined within specialized software called hypervisor. The hypervisor presents virtual hardware to the server as if it were real physical hardware. Server virtualization allows for a more efficient infrastructure. | Any networked computer |
| Web server | Hosts web pages. A web server is what makes the World Wide Web possible. Each website has one or more web servers. | Computers with a web browser |