What is a web server?

A web server is made up of hardware and software that work together to store files and control how people access those files on the web. It connects to the internet and takes an active role in the interchange between connected devices and data. Web servers store and deliver the content on a website, including video, images, text, and data. To create websites, you need one of two types of web servers: static or dynamic. Static web servers are sometimes called "stack." This web server is made up of hardware and HTTP software. It sends files without any updates or alterations to the browser requesting them. Dynamic web servers, which are made of static web servers with additional software, update files before sending them from the server to the browser.

Why is it important to learn about web servers?

If you're an aspiring programmer or developer, understanding what web servers are and how to work with them is an essential step. Having knowledge about web servers is also often a prerequisite for other courses in website design and development. Creating, configuring, and managing servers while also using other tools to manage computers and user information provides dynamic insight to help you choose better hardware and services, manage tech, and build web applications.

What are careers the use web server knowledge?

Gaining skills and a solid foundation in how web servers operate prepare you for careers in web development, application development, web server administration, software engineer, and web application tester. You'll be able to take your foundation in web servers and apply it to a variety of job options. You may also use it to create your own web applications and websites, either professionally or as a side project. You could work with hardware or technical support. If you're creative and have the drive, you can take on more of the design and development role. Building a strong foundation in the basics, which includes web servers, can help you advance your career or embark on a new one in the IT world.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn about web servers?

Online courses on Coursera provide you with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with web servers along with opportunities to write and deploy web applications in programming languages like Python. By giving you a strong foundation, courses provide the stepping stones to build on that knowledge and advance your skills. Courses on Coursera are designed for you to move at your own pace as you study concepts and tackle projects headed up by some of the leading instructors and institutions, including Duke University, Google, and the University of Michigan.

What are the benefits of taking an online Web Server course?

Online Web Server courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Web Server skills. Choose from a wide range of Web Server courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Web Server courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Web Server, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Web Server Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Web Server Course Catalog

Coursera Project Network
Azure: Create a Virtual Machine and Deploy a Web Server
Skills you'll gain: Virtual Machines, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Computing, Network Security, Web Servers, Network Administration, Server Administration, Remote Access Systems
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
214 reviews
Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours
Status: Free Trial
Microsoft
Introduction to Web Development
Skills you'll gain: GitHub, HTML and CSS, Git (Version Control System), Microsoft Copilot, Web Development, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Responsive Web Design, Javascript, Front-End Web Development, JSON, Semantic Web
3.8
Rating, 3.8 out of 5 stars
25 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
EDUCBA
Java Servlet Development: From Basics to Real-World Projects
Skills you'll gain: Model View Controller, Java Platform Enterprise Edition (J2EE), Back-End Web Development, Full-Stack Web Development, Server Side, Data Access, Apache Tomcat, Front-End Web Development, Java Programming, Web Design and Development, Databases, PostgreSQL, Relational Databases, Java, User Interface (UI), Web Design, Web Servers, Systems Development, Application Servers, Database Design
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Packt
Hands-on Linux - Self-Hosted WordPress for Linux Beginners
Skills you'll gain: Ansible, Linux Servers, WordPress, Linux Administration, Remote Access Systems, Linux, Content Management Systems, Linux Commands, Nginx, Servers, Web Servers, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), IT Automation, Software Installation, Systems Administration, Cloud Hosting, Virtual Machines, System Configuration, Web Development, Performance Tuning
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Skillshare
Modern Frontend Web Development
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, JavaScript Frameworks, HTML and CSS, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Web Design and Development, TypeScript, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Front-End Web Development, Web Applications, Vue.JS, UI Components, Javascript, Maintainability, Scalability, React.js, Angular, Application Programming Interface (API), Application Development, Web Development, Design Elements And Principles
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
University of California, Davis
Introduction to Web Development
Skills you'll gain: Version Control, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), GitHub, Git (Version Control System), HTML and CSS, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Design and Development, Web Development, Web Design, Web Content, Front-End Web Development, Web Servers, Image Analysis, Semantic Web, Cloud Hosting, Browser Compatibility
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3.7K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

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Status: Free Trial
NIIT
RESTful Microservices Using Node.js and Express
Skills you'll gain: Node.JS, API Gateway, MySQL, Restful API, MongoDB, Microservices, API Design, NoSQL, Object-Relational Mapping, Database Design, Relational Databases, Unit Testing, SQL, Databases, Server Side, Application Deployment, Javascript, Application Programming Interface (API), Software Documentation, Data Modeling
3.7
Rating, 3.7 out of 5 stars
114 reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Introduction to HTML, CSS, & JavaScript
Skills you'll gain: Responsive Web Design, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Development, Javascript, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Scripting, Browser Compatibility, Application Programming Interface (API), Back-End Web Development
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
597 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Johns Hopkins University
HTML, CSS, and Javascript for Web Developers
Skills you'll gain: Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), HTML and CSS, Javascript, Ajax, Responsive Web Design, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Front-End Web Development, Web Design, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Browser Compatibility, Web Design and Development, Web Development, JSON, Web Applications, Scripting, Usability, Cross Platform Development, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Event-Driven Programming, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
17K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Packt
Intermediate Rust Programming and Web Server Development
Skills you'll gain: Rust (Programming Language), Authentications, Back-End Web Development, Web Servers, Databases, Web Applications, Restful API, Application Programming Interface (API), Programming Principles, System Programming, Data Structures
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Codio
Web Technologies and Security
Skills you'll gain: Application Security, Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), Angular, OAuth, Test Driven Development (TDD), Cryptography, Data Validation, Unit Testing, Vue.JS, Data Security, Authentications, HTML and CSS, Encryption, Authorization (Computing), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Web Applications, JavaScript Frameworks, Javascript, Security Strategy, Computer Programming
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
92 reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
IBM
Application Development using Microservices and Serverless
Skills you'll gain: Application Deployment, OpenShift, Cloud Applications, Serverless Computing, Microservices, Istio, API Gateway, Restful API, Cloud Computing, IBM Cloud, Kubernetes, Application Development, Containerization, Software Architecture, Scalability
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
379 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months