NNTP (Network News Transfer Protocol) server is a software application that provides access to Usenet newsgroups. When a user wants to access a newsgroup, they first connect to an NNTP server using their newsreader software. The newsreader sends a request to the server to retrieve a specific newsgroup or list of newsgroups.
The NNTP server then searches for the requested newsgroup or groups and retrieves them from the Usenet. The newsgroups are stored on the server in a hierarchical structure, with the top-level groups being major categories like “comp” (computers), “rec” (recreation), or “sci” (science).
Once a user has accessed a newsgroup, they can read and post messages to the group. When a user posts a message, the newsreader sends the message to the NNTP server, which then distributes the message to all the servers that carry the newsgroup. Over time, the message is replicated across all the servers in the Usenet network, allowing users from all over the world to read and respond to it.
In summary, NNTP servers provide access to newsgroups by retrieving and storing them in a hierarchical structure. Users can then read and post messages to the newsgroups, and the servers distribute the messages across the Usenet network.
