What is a Web Server?


A Web server is a software application that provides World Wide Web services on the Internet or within a private network environment. Web servers are most frequently used in returning content to a Web browser. For example, Microsoft runs a Web server that responds when you connect to the Microsoft Web site with a Web browser such as Internet Explorer.

Web servers send either a static pages or dynamic content, depending on the client's request and the server's configuration. Static content is content that does not change or changes infrequently, such as an image file with Microsoft's logo or a text file containing an executive's biography. The Web server reads this data from a hard drive and sends it directly to your browser. Dynamic content is data that is generated by the Web server in response to actions entered by the user. When you search for "Windows Embedded Compact" on microsoft.com, the Web server determines what Web pages best match your request, dynamically generating a list containing these files, and then sends them to your Web browser.

WebAdmin is an example of a server-side script. Server-side scripts on Windows Embedded Compact act as a control panel for the device that runs from a Web browser, rather than a monitor attached to the device. When the Web server detects that a browser has requested a URL that begins with "/WebAdmin", it will forward the request to the WebAdmin server-side script. WebAdmin dynamically generates content displaying the current configuration of your Windows Embedded Compact Web server and processes any updates you make. Other server-side scripts included with your Windows Embedded Compact device will configure other components. For more information, see your device documentation.