Apache

[digital_freeway]

Is it the best http server around? If not which is?

[valeforpld]

Without a doubt Apache is the best http server. When you compare the Hardware requirements, Cost and Security, it wins hands down. That's why 70% of all internet accessible websites run on Apache, so it's not without reason.

If you want to try it out yourself, and have some questions, we will be happy to help.

[Lyte]

Howdy!

I've heard the same re: Apache. But... what are the downsides?? What could Apache do better??

Lyte

[valeforpld]

Hi Lyte,

The important advantages of Apache would have to be:

Decentralised Per-user configuration - The important thing about that is user configurations are kept away from the main server configuration. So users can configure Apache for their portion of Webspace without endangering the security of other users or the webserver as a whole.

Self-healing processes - Apache runs as a parent process and delegates jobs to child processes. So in the event of bad code that runs amock, it can recover without having to shutdown the entire webserver. Compare that to Microsoft IIS which includes other services such as FTP, and SMTP in one application. If IIS crashed, the webserver, mail and ftp would be offline until it was restarted.

3rd Party Modules - Just about every scripting language out there would work on apache. So it caters for alot of people with different coding practices.

Less important advantages would be:

Upgrading is much better. period. No rebooting for an update to a service like apache and others.

Free... plain and simple. Free software, free support.

Downsides??

IIS has a prettier configuration interface

[iqbal]

i haven't used apache. i use iis.
apache is free but iis is also free with windows.
the best thing of iis is gui.
its very easy to configure but this doesn't reduce its power. even a novice can configure it easily. and apache?
its tough.

[valeforpld]

Given time, more easy to use graphical interfaces will be made for Apache. Right now Webmin and other 3rd party interfaces do a pretty fine job.

IIS might be free with windows and that's fine if you want to host your own website. On the other hand, if you want to host websites as a business, then the licenses certainly are not free. With any open source software there are no licensing fees to think about, and technical help is free as well. So basicall anyone can use it.

At the end of the day, use what you are most comfortable with.