How Can I Tell What Web Server Is Running?
When browsing the internet, have you ever wondered what web server is powering a particular website? It’s actually quite easy to find out!
In this article, we will explore different methods you can use to determine what web server is running. Let’s dive in!
Using Online Tools
If you’re not familiar with technical jargon or simply prefer a quick and effortless solution, online tools can come in handy. These tools allow you to check the web server of any given website without requiring any technical expertise.
1. BuiltWith
BuiltWith is a popular online tool that provides comprehensive information about the technology stack of a website. To find out the web server, follow these steps:
- Visit https://builtwith.com/.
- Enter the URL of the website in question.
- Click on the “Lookup” button.
- Navigate to the “Web Server” section to see the details of the server.
2. WhatWeb
WhatWeb is another useful online tool that can help you identify various technologies used by a website, including the web server. Here’s how you can use it:
- Go to https://whatweb.net/.
- Type in the URL of the website.
- Click on the “WhatWeb” button.
- The results will display information about the web server under “HTTPServer”.
Manual Techniques
If you’re comfortable with using the command line or want to learn more about the technical aspects, there are manual techniques available that allow you to determine the web server. Using cURL
cURL is a command-line tool for making HTTP requests. By inspecting the response headers, we can often find information about the web server being used. Here’s how:
- Open your terminal or command prompt.
- Type in the following command:
curl -I website-url
. Replace “website-url” with the URL of the website you want to inspect. - Look for the “Server” field in the response headers. It usually indicates the web server being used. Checking Response Headers in Developer Tools
If you’re using a web browser like Chrome or Firefox, you can leverage their developer tools to check the response headers of a website:
- Open your browser and visit the desired website.
- Right-click on any part of the page and select “Inspect” or “Inspect Element”.
- In the developer tools window, navigate to the “Network” tab.
- Refresh the page if necessary.
- Select any network request from the list on the left-hand side.
- In the headers section, look for “Server”. The value next to it corresponds to the web server being used by that website.
In Conclusion
Determining what web server is running behind a website is not as complicated as it may seem. By using online tools or manual techniques, you can easily find out this information. Whether you prefer a quick solution or want to explore the technical aspects, the methods mentioned in this article should help you uncover the web server powering any website you come across.
Remember, understanding the technology behind websites can be both fascinating and valuable. Happy exploring!