WWW - The Server Side

For all the incoming connectionts from different clients, every website is associated with a server process listening to TCP port 80. The client sends a request after the connection is made and the server sends the reply and then the connection is released. The protocol that is responsible for requests and replies is called HTTP.

The steps that occur between the user clicking and a page being displayed are:
- The browser determines the URL.
- The browser asks DNS for IP address.
- DNS replies.
- Browser makes a TCP connection to the port.
- It then sendsthe GET command.
- The server sends the file.
- The TCP connection is released.
- The browser displays the text of the file.
- The browser fetchesand displays all images of the file.

Not all servers speak HTTP, Old servers use FTP, Gopher or other protocols. Given the number of different protocols, it was thought impractical to make browser understand different protocols. However, since there is a need to make information available (where the server talks in protocols other than HTTP), a solution was required. This solution is something called a proxy server. A proxy server takes a HTTP request from the browser and translates these requests into the FTP/Gopher/other protocols. The proxy server is a separate logical server.
A proxy server also serves to provide an important function called caching. Through caching, a proxy server keeps a local copy of the pages that pass through it. If a user requests for a page, if the page is present on the cache of the proxy server, it serves the page to the user. this way it serves to reduce load on final server.

Quick Introduction to the World Wide Web (WWW) / Internet

The World Wide Web is an architectural framework for accessing linked documents spread out over thousands of machines all over the Internet. The World Wide Web began as a networked information project at CERN, where Tim Berners-Lee, now Director of the World Wide Web Consortium [W3C], developed a vision of the project.

The Web has a body of software, and a set of protocols and conventions. Through the use of hypertext and multimedia techniques, the web is easy for anyone to roam, browse, and contribute to.

World Wide Web can also be defined as system of Internet servers that support specially formatted documents. The documents are formatted in a markup language called HTML (HyperText Markup Language) that supports links to other documents, as well as graphics, audio, and video files. You can jump from one document to another simply by clicking on hot spots. Not all Internet servers are part of the World Wide Web. Web is basically a client-server system. Web pages are written in HTML and java.

HP EX487 MediaSmart Home Server

The HP MediaSmart Server is a home server that can automatically backup and protect your digital memories, centralize your media and content for sharing with friends and family, and enable you to enjoy your digital media while at home or away.

Technical Details
* Intel Celeron 2.0GHz 64-bit Processor.
* Network-Based Backup of Macs Using Apple's Time Machine.
* Single SATA 7200 RPM 750GB Drives (x2).
* Photo/Video Sharing and Remote Access to Digital Media and Files on a Variety of Devices.
* Automatic Digital Content Organization Across All PCs.



Software Features

* Operating System: Powered by Windows Home Server, a new software solution from Microsoft for storing, accessing, sharing and automatically protecting digital files.
* HP Control Center: The HP MediaSmart software that sits on top of the Windows Home Server software making access to tasks easier. Users with administrative access privileges can access the Windows Home Server Console from the HP Control Center.
* Windows Home Server Console: Software accessed from the HP Control Center to manage your HP MediaSmart Server. Software includes setting up shared folders, assigning user access privileges and customizing backups.
* File Sharing and Storage: Effortlessly centralize your files and access them from any PC and or Mac on your home network.
* PC Hard Drive Disk Backup: Once the HP MediaSmart Server software is installed on a home PC, the Windows Home Server backup software automatically starts backing up the PCs hard disk drive image every night. You can customize the number and frequency of backups kept.
* Mac Backup: Back up your Macs to the MediaSmart Server using Apple's Time Machine software.
* Shared Folder Duplication: Designate folders that will be copied automatically onto multiple hard drives for an additional layer of redundant protection. Folder duplication replaces traditional RAID-style redundancy.
* Individual File Restore: If you accidentally delete a file on your PC, you can browse versions of the PC hard drive backup image on the HP MediaSmart Server to find the file and copy it to your PC.
* PC Hard Drive Disk Restore: In the event of a PC hard drive failure, the included HP PC Restore disc is all you need to restore a hard drive image from the HP MediaSmart Server. Theres no need to locate your original operating system disc.
* HP Media Collector: Conveniently schedules the server to copy and centralize your Windows PC media files and libraries (including iTunes and playlists).
* Remote Access: Upon installation, you can set up a personal web address to be used for remote access and by visitors. Using your personal web address, you can remotely access shared folders and files on the HP MediaSmart Server from any Internet-connected computer.
* In-Home and Remote Media Streaming: Extend your digital media experiences by conveniently streaming photos, music and videos to your TVs, through gaming consoles such as Xbox 360 or PlayStation3, and computer's within your home. Remotely stream music and photos from your server to any Internet-connected computer for access while you are away.
* HP Photo Publisher: Easily publish your photos to Snapfish, Facebook, Flickr, and Picasa Web Albums using an Internet-connected computer.
* HP Photo Viewer: Quickly share photos and albums stored on the Server with friends and family.
*Server for iTunes: Centralize your iTunes music libraries and playlists on the server for playback to any PC or Mac running iTunes on your home network.
*Satisfy all your backup and media storage needs with four internal hard drive bays, four USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA port, and access to Amazon S3 online backup.
*Easy Storage Expansion: Add an internal or external hard drive to the HP MediaSmart Server, indicate that you want to add the disk in the Windows Home Server Console, and the HP MediaSmart Server storage grows. No need to power down the unit or manage drive letters for multiple hard drives.
* Server Anti-Virus Protection: Server side anti-virus trial offer from McAfee for increased protection of your HP MediaSmart Server. Run quick scans of specific folders or deep scans across your entire home server.
*Server Backup: Protect your digital memories from fire/flood/natural disaster... backup your server shared folders to an external hard disk drive, and/or an online backup to Amazon S3.
*Server Recovery: The included Server Recovery Disc can be used to recover all data and restore folders or, to reset the server in case the server operating system disk becomes corrupt.
*Additional Software Add-Ins: Extend the functionality of your server through available software add-ins to enable expanded functionality, server personalization and/or entertainment.
*Users: Up to 10 user accounts can access the HP MediaSmart Server. In addition, a predefined Guest account can be enabled.

Conclusion
For anyone looking for a first time network storage solution or replacement of an NAS with minimal flexibility, regardless of the user's level of technical experience, this device appears to be a great choice. It has the sophistication to meet advance user requirements yet remains easily understandable by those with modest demands or needs. Equally as important, capacity can be expanded to meet future growth in one's home network.