Local server
A local server is a server that is set up on a workstation computer and exchanges data with a client on the same computer such as a network-connected server . In jargon, a local server is sometimes referred to as “ localhost ” or “local host ” after its domain name .
purpose
There are several reasons for setting up a local server on a workstation computer, for example:
- Developing and testing server applications even if (at times) no or only a bad one, e.g. B. slower, Internet connection is available or if you want to avoid recurring inconveniences of the Internet, such as long transmission times, during development.
- Simplification of other server-related tests such as B. installing a content management system on the local server
- Equipping your own computer with server capabilities, such as .php and SQL processing, game applications or the like, in order to use them at the workplace.
addressing
By internet standard ( RFC 2606 and RFC 6761 ) are a local server
- the IP address
127.0.0.1(or::1for IPv6 ) and - the corresponding domain name
localhost
assigned. The local components of the workstation are these Internet standards following set up to them on entering 127.0.0.1or localhostgo try as the address in the browser to reach the local server.
The standardized assignment of the domain name localhostfor a local server meant that this domain name (or, in other words, “local host”) is sometimes used to designate the local server itself.
realization
In order for a workstation computer to simulate a local server, components for realizing the local server must be installed on the workstation computer. It is not part of the basic equipment of a workstation computer.
A local server can be simulated with software, so that the software installation is usually sufficient to create a local server; additional hardware is usually not necessary. There are different software packages for creating a local server. A free, easily installable software package is XAMPP . Other packages are WAMP, LAMP, and MAMP. The terms are acronyms : “AMP” stands for at least A pache , M ySQL and P HP , while the first letter stands for W indows, L inux and M acintosh. The X in Xampp indicates “cross platform”, ie independence from a specific operating system.
properties
A local web server largely has properties like a network-connected server. It presents the client under 127.0.0.1or localhosta root directory, behind which a conventional, but only locally created website can develop, communicates with the local client via the Internet Protocol , can process .htaccess commands on the input side, simulates the server operating system (in usually Apache ) and can process php scripts and SQL commands. It is sufficient for the querying browser stored or formed HTML , if necessary with integrated files (images, CSS, script files, ...), can also be configured for sending emails and for FTP and allows the setting up of a content management system such as Typo3 or MODX , which can then be used.
The differences between the local server and network-connected servers are that
- the local server cannot be reached from outside the workstation computer, it has no externally communicable IP address,
- the file system of the local server is part of the file system of the workstation on which it is running, and
- the root directory of the local server accessible to the browser is also a directory in the file system of the workstation computer.
See also
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ XAMPP on apachefriends.org