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ServerThe UnixWeb Design in a Nutshell, eMatter EditionChapter 4The Unix ServerCHAPTER 4
A Beginner’s Guide to the Server
Even if you focus primarily on what’s commonly referred to as “front-end” web
development—HTML documents and web graphics—the server and the way it is
configured may impact the way you work. In most cases, there is no way to avoid
making first-hand contact with the server, even if it’s just to upload files.
For this reason, all web designers should have a basic level of familiarity with
servers and what they do. At the very least, this will enable you to communicate
more clearly with your server administrator. If you have permission for greater
access to the server, it could mean taking care of certain tasks yourself without
needing to wait for assistance.
This chapter provides an introduction to server terminology and functions, basic
Unix commands, and file (MIME) types. It also discusses uploading files and
setting permissions, which designers often need to do.
Servers 101
Aserveris any computer running software that enables it to answer requests for
documents and other data. The programs that request and display the documents
(such as a browser) are calledclients. The terms “server-side” and “client-side,” in
regard to specific functions like imagemaps, refer to which machine is doing the
processing. Client-side functions happen on the user’s machine; server-side func-
tions occur on the remote machine.
Web servers answer requests from browsers (the client program), retrieve the
specified file (or execute a CGI script) and return the document or script results.
Web browsers and servers communicate via the Hypertext Transfer Protocol
(HTTP).