What Is a Host and Server?

What is a Host & Server?

A host and server are computing devices used to store and manage digital data. A host is a machine that runs on any system, while a server is a special type of computer designed to provide services such as websites, web applications, file storage, databases and other related tasks. Together, they form the backbone of modern-day internet infrastructure.

The host is the physical computer where the server is installed, while the server is a program which runs on the host and provides service. The host is responsible for providing the hardware resources such as memory, storage and CPU power, while the server is responsible for running software applications such as web servers, databases and other network services.

When you connect to a website, your computer is actually connecting to a host and then a server. The host is the computer that stores all of the website's files, images and code. It also stores the server software which is responsible for serving up the web pages to you. The server then sends the web pages over to your computer so you can view them. The whole process happens almost instantly.

Hosts and servers are essential components of the web, so it’s important to understand how they work. By understanding their roles, you can better prepare yourself to make decisions about the type of hosting or server setup you need for your website or application.