What is the primary function of a web server?

The primary function of a web server is to host websites and deliver web content to clients over the Internet. When a user requests a web page by entering a URL in their browser, the web server processes that request and retrieves the appropriate content, such as HTML documents, images, or other files, sending them back to the user's browser. This interaction is foundational to how the Internet operates, enabling users to access website information globally.

While the other options describe functions that can be related to server technology, they do not accurately define the core purpose of a web server. Storing data locally refers more to local storage solutions rather than the server's role in content delivery. Managing network security is a function typically associated with firewall systems and security appliances rather than web servers specifically. Providing online storage solutions is a concept related to cloud services or dedicated storage servers, which again, is different from the primary task of a web server focusing on serving web content.