Java HTTP Server - Multithreaded Web Server

Overview

This project implements a simple multithreaded HTTP server in Java. It handles basic GET requests, serves static files (HTML, images, etc.), and supports virtual hosting based on the Host: header.

Requirements

• Java Development Kit (JDK)
• Linux or equivalent command-line environment
• Terminal tools: javac, java
• Basic knowledge of threads and I/O streams in Java

Files

• HttpServer.java
  • Main server class. Listens on a specified port and spawns a new HttpServerSession thread for each connection.
• HttpServerSession.java
  • Extends Thread. Reads HTTP requests, delegates parsing to HttpServerRequest, and sends responses.
• HttpServerRequest.java
  • Parses the HTTP GET request, extracts method, URI, protocol version, and headers (including Host:). Provides filename and host directory.
• Any static content directories matching hostnames (e.g., localhost:50000/, example.com:50000/) containing index.html, images, etc.

Compilation

javac HttpServer.java HttpServerSession.java HttpServerRequest.java

Usage

1. Start the server

   java HttpServer <port>

   • <port>: any unused port between 50000 and 65535.
   • Example:

     java HttpServer 50000
     Listening for connections on port 50000

2. Access via browser or wget

   • Browser: Navigate to http://<hostname>:<port>/<path>
     Example:

     http://localhost:50000/index.html
     

   • wget:

     wget http://<hostname>:<port>/<file>

     Use md5sum to verify binary files.

Notes

• Only the GET method is supported.
• Returns 200 OK with file contents or 404 File Not Found with a simple message.
• Uses BufferedOutputStream for compliant CR/LF line endings and binary safety.
• Supports virtual hosting: files are served from a directory named <Host>:<port>.
• Handle exceptions gracefully and log requests and errors to the console.
• The server is multithreaded to allow concurrent clients; remove any artificial sleep before final testing.