Difference between definitive host and intermediate host


Computer networks
2023-05-15T17:50:41+00:00

Difference between definitive host and intermediate host

What is a host?

A host is a computer that hosts a website or web application. The term "host" also refers to the company or hosting provider that provides the infrastructure necessary to host a site or web application.

What is a definitive host?

A definitive host is one where a web page or application is hosted directly, that is, where the server that receives and processes user requests is located. In other words, the definitive host is the place where all the files and data necessary for the website or web application to function correctly are located.

What is an intermediate host?

An intermediate host is a kind of intermediary between the definitive host and the users. In this case, the files and data of the web page or web application are not located on the intermediate host, but are hosted on the definitive host. The intermediate host acts as a “proxy” that redirects user requests to the definitive host.

What is the difference between a definitive host and an intermediate host?

The main difference between a definitive host and an intermediate host is where the files and data necessary for a web page or web application to function are hosted. In the case of the definitive host, everything is hosted in the same place and is the server that processes user requests. However, in the case of the intermediate host, the files and data are hosted elsewhere and the server that processes user requests is the definitive host, not the intermediate host.

Benefits of using the intermediate host

  • It allows you to reduce the workload of the hosting server, since the intermediate host handles the majority of web traffic.
  • It allows you to reduce loading times, since the intermediate host can cache certain elements of the web page or web application.
  • It offers an additional layer of security as the intermediate host acts as a firewall to protect the web page or web application from attacks.

Disadvantages of using intermediate host

  • It can cause overload on the intermediate host if used incorrectly, which can negatively impact the performance of the web page or web application.
  • It can cause compatibility issues, as the intermediate host may not be compatible with certain elements of the web page or web application.

Conclusion

In short, the difference between a definitive host and an intermediate host lies in where the files and data necessary for a web page or web application to function are hosted. Although both have their advantages and disadvantages, the choice of one or the other will depend on the needs and resources of each project.

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