How Can I Tell What Web Server Is Running on Linux?
When it comes to managing a Linux server, it’s important to have a clear understanding of the software running on it. This includes being able to identify the web server that is hosting your website or application. Fortunately, there are several methods you can use to determine the web server running on your Linux system.
Method 1: Using the Command Line
If you have access to the command line interface, you can use various commands to determine the web server running on your Linux system.
1. Using cURL
To use cURL, open a terminal and enter the following command:
curl -I localhost
This command will send an HTTP HEAD request to your local machine (localhost) and retrieve the response headers. Look for the “Server” header in the output, which will indicate the web server software being used.
2. Using Telnet
If cURL is not available, you can use Telnet to connect to your website or application’s domain or IP address:
telnet example.com 80
Replace “example.com” with your domain name or IP address and “80” with the appropriate port number if your web server is running on a different port. After establishing a connection, enter an HTTP GET request:
GET / HTTP/1.0
Note that this method requires manual interpretation of the response received from the server.
Method 2: Checking Configuration Files
If you have administrative access to your Linux system, you can check configuration files associated with popular web servers to determine which one is running. Apache HTTP Server
If you suspect Apache is running on your system, check the Apache configuration file:
/etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf
Look for lines containing the “ServerSignature” and “ServerTokens” directives. These lines will reveal information about the server software. Nginx
If you suspect Nginx is running on your system, check the Nginx configuration file:
/etc/nginx/nginx.conf
In this file, look for the “server_tokens” directive. The value associated with it will indicate the server software.
Method 3: Online Tools
If you don’t have access to the command line or server configuration files, various online tools can help you determine the web server running on a Linux system. Netcraft’s Web Server Survey
Netcraft provides a Web Server Survey tool that can identify the web server software used by a specific website or IP address. Simply enter the domain or IP address in their search bar and submit the query. BuiltWith
BuiltWith is another online tool that can provide information about a website’s technology stack, including its web server software. Enter the URL of the website you want to investigate, and BuiltWith will generate a report containing details about its infrastructure.
Conclusion
Determining the web server running on a Linux system is an essential part of managing and troubleshooting your server. By using command-line tools, inspecting configuration files, or relying on online tools, you can easily identify the web server software being used. This knowledge will empower you to make informed decisions and effectively optimize your server configuration.