What role does the web server play in ArcGIS Enterprise?

The web server in ArcGIS Enterprise functions as a crucial intermediary that manages communication between clients (such as web browsers or applications) and ArcGIS Server. When a client makes an HTTP request, the web server is responsible for interpreting that request and routing it to the appropriate ArcGIS Server component. It serves content back to the client based on these interactions, ensuring that users receive the right data and functionality from the enterprise system.

This setup allows for the management of web traffic and also enables features like load balancing and application performance optimization. The web server plays a vital role in serving web maps, web applications, and other content, making it an essential component of the overall architecture in ArcGIS Enterprise.

In contrast, other roles noted would be inaccurate. For example, while data storage is a function typically associated with a database or file storage system rather than the web server itself, processing heavy computations is primarily handled by ArcGIS Server, not the web server. Furthermore, while security is an important aspect, the function of acting as a firewall is typically handled by network security appliances and software rather than the web server's primary role, which is focused more on content delivery and client request management.