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Apache HTTP Server vs Wildfly: What are the differences?
Introduction
Apache HTTP Server and Wildfly are both widely used web servers, but they have some key differences that differentiate them from each other.
Scalability and Performance: Apache HTTP Server is known for its high scalability and performance. It can handle a large number of simultaneous connections efficiently and is capable of serving static HTML pages quickly. On the other hand, Wildfly focuses more on providing a robust Java application server. It is designed to handle heavy loads and complex applications, making it suitable for enterprise-level deployments.
Support for Java EE: Wildfly is a Java EE (Enterprise Edition) application server, which means it provides full support for Java EE specifications and APIs. It allows developers to build and deploy Java-based enterprise applications easily. Apache HTTP Server, on the other hand, is primarily a web server and does not offer native support for Java EE. While it can be used with Java-based applications, additional configuration and integration may be required.
Administration and Management: Wildfly offers a comprehensive and user-friendly administration console that allows administrators to manage and monitor the server and deployed applications. It provides features like centralized configuration management, real-time monitoring, and fine-grained security controls. Apache HTTP Server, on the other hand, does not have a built-in administration console. Configuration is usually done through text files, and server monitoring may require third-party tools or plugins.
Modularity and Extensibility: Wildfly is built on top of the modular JBoss Application Server architecture. It allows users to selectively enable or disable subsystems and services based on their requirements, resulting in a lighter and more efficient server configuration. Apache HTTP Server also supports modular architecture through its extensive module system. Users can add or remove modules to extend the functionality of the server. However, the modularity in Wildfly is more integrated and fine-grained, specifically tailored for Java applications.
Supported Protocols and Technologies: Apache HTTP Server supports a wide range of protocols, including HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and more. It also offers support for CGI (Common Gateway Interface) and various scripting languages like Perl and PHP. Wildfly, being a Java EE application server, primarily focuses on Java-related technologies like Servlets, JavaServer Faces, and Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB). While it can still be used as a traditional web server, its core functionality revolves around Java EE.
Community and Ecosystem: Apache HTTP Server has a huge and vibrant community around it. It is highly popular and widely used, with extensive documentation, tutorials, and third-party plugins available. Wildfly, being a Java EE application server, also has a strong community and ecosystem centered around Java enterprise development. It benefits from the broader Java community and ecosystem, which provides frameworks, libraries, and tools specifically tailored for Java EE applications.
In Summary, Apache HTTP Server excels in scalability and performance, while Wildfly focuses more on providing a robust Java EE application server. They differ in terms of support for Java EE, administration and management features, modularity and extensibility, supported protocols and technologies, and the community and ecosystem around them.
I am diving into web development, both front and back end. I feel comfortable with administration, scripting and moderate coding in bash, Python and C++, but I am also a Windows fan (i love inner conflict). What are the votes on web servers? IIS is expensive and restrictive (has Windows adoption of open source changed this?) Apache has the history but seems to be at the root of most of my Infosec issues, and I know nothing about nginx (is it too new to rely on?). And no, I don't know what I want to do on the web explicitly, but hosting and data storage (both cloud and tape) are possibilities. Ready, aim fire!
I would pick nginx over both IIS and Apace HTTP Server any day. Combine it with docker, and as you grow maybe even traefik, and you'll have a really flexible solution for serving http content where you can take sites and projects up and down without effort, easily move it between systems and dont have to handle any dependencies on your actual local machine.
From a StackShare Community member: "We are a LAMP shop currently focused on improving web performance for our customers. We have made many front-end optimizations and now we are considering replacing Apache with nginx. I was wondering if others saw a noticeable performance gain or any other benefits by switching."
I use nginx because it is very light weight. Where Apache tries to include everything in the web server, nginx opts to have external programs/facilities take care of that so the web server can focus on efficiently serving web pages. While this can seem inefficient, it limits the number of new bugs found in the web server, which is the element that faces the client most directly.
I use nginx because its more flexible and easy to configure
I use Apache HTTP Server because it's intuitive, comprehensive, well-documented, and just works
I was in a situation where I have to configure 40 RHEL servers 20 each for Apache HTTP Server and Tomcat server. My task was to 1. configure LVM with required logical volumes, format and mount for HTTP and Tomcat servers accordingly. 2. Install apache and tomcat. 3. Generate and apply selfsigned certs to http server. 4. Modify default ports on Tomcat to different ports. 5. Create users on RHEL for application support team. 6. other administrative tasks like, start, stop and restart HTTP and Tomcat services.
I have utilized the power of ansible for all these tasks, which made it easy and manageable.
Pros of Wildfly
- Eclipse integration3
- Java3