Kestrel is the heart of ASP.NET Core — a fast, cross-platform, and lightweight web server built for modern cloud-native applications. Whether you’re deploying on Windows, Linux, or Docker, Kestrel powers your app behind the scenes.
Let’s explore what Kestrel is, how it works internally, how to configure and deploy it (with IIS or Nginx reverse proxy setups), and end with key interview questions developers must know. 🚀
🧩 Introduction
🔹 What is Kestrel Web Server?
Kestrel is the cross-platform web server that comes built-in with ASP.NET Core. It’s designed to:
Serve HTTP requests directly using managed code.
Run on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Deliver high performance using asynchronous I/O.
Integrate seamlessly with reverse proxies such as IIS, Nginx, or Apache.