Before delving into the differences between a web server and an application server, it is important to understand what these are. Both are essentially different types of servers. A server is either a computer program/software or computer hardware, which delivers functionality for clients, which are other programs or devices. It works on a client-server model. Client-server models work through the request-response model, wherein a request is sent by a client to the server. The server carries out certain actions and then sends a response to the same client. This response contains the needed result or acknowledgment.
A server functions as a central repository
for the storage of data and programs that can be accessed by a network’s
clients. It aids in managing the resources of a network and delivers shared
services for connecting workstations. Additionally, it enables sharing of data
as well as software and hardware resources among clients.
Various functionalities are provided by
servers, which are known as services. These services include carrying out
computation for clients as well as data and resource sharing among different
clients. Servers can be of many types, such as file servers, print servers,
game servers, mail servers, database servers, web servers, application servers
etc. The aim of this blog is to provide information about the differences
between web servers and application servers.
Web Servers
A web server is meant to host web pages. It
is a key component that contributes significantly to the existence of the World
Wide Web because every website is hosted on a certain web server. A web server not only stores the files of
websites but also delivers those over the Internet to render websites
accessible. Every website is hosted on one or more than one server and each web
server can host one or multiple websites.
Web servers accept requests from clients
for static content, such as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) pages, videos and
images that are related to websites and subsequently fulfil these requests. A
web server only takes care of HTTP requests and responses. It can either be a
computer program or a computer. It can also exist as a virtual machine program.
Web servers are provided by web hosting
companies through the service of web hosting. In web hosting, server space
along with the necessary services and technologies are made available for
keeping websites up and running seamlessly. The most efficient web hosting
companies are usually referred to as the “Best Linux Hosting
Company”, the “Best
Windows Hosting Company”, the “Top Cloud Hosting
Company” etc.
Features of Web
Servers
The main features of a web server have to
do with handling HTTP protocol and supporting web-based applications. It does
not support Database Connecting Pooling, does not provide EJB support and
doesn’t have Server-side programming.
Application Servers
An application server refers to a mixed
framework of software that hosts applications. It enables the creation of web
applications and the server environment on which these can be run. Application
server clients involve web servers, GUIs (Graphical User Interface) as well as
other application servers.
An application server acts as a go-between
for a database server and the users by enabling different protocols and APIs
(Application Programming Interfaces). This type of server hosts as well as
installs and operates applications along with associated services that are
meant for end users. The hosting and delivery of high-end applications are
facilitated by such a server. Application servers expose business logic for
generating dynamic content. These have their own graphical user
interfaces and can manage their own resources, transaction processes,
connection pooling etc.
Application
servers have load balancing, clustering, high availability monitoring,
integrated redundancy along with support with regard to complicated
database access, for high-end requirements. This type of server is ideal for
use when there is a requirement for integrating with databases and servers. An
application server provides the necessary integrity to data and code through a
centralized approach for ensuring that applications are updated and upgraded.
Features of
Application Servers
The main features of application servers are
that these aid in managing backend logic and in deploying applications,
database pooling, dependency injection etc. An application server serves
dynamic business logic.
Key Differences
between Web Servers and Application Servers
A web server provides runtime environment
to web applications and has only web container. An application server provides
runtime environment to enterprise applications and has web container along with
EJB container. Web servers function well for static content, whereas
application servers are relevant for dynamic content. Web servers consume less
amount of resources (memory, CPU etc.) in comparison with application servers,
which consume more resources. A web server supports HTTP Protocol but doesn’t
support multithreading. An application
server supports HTTP along with RPC/RMI protocols. It also supports
multithreading. Last but not the least, web servers facilitate such web traffic
which is not very resource-intensive. Application servers facilitate
resource-intensive, longer running processes.
No comments:
Post a Comment