Web Server and Application Server

[Tommy.net]

Hi;i am very much confused about the difference between a web server and an application server.Please explain with an example where lies the difference between the two.

Apache is a web server;why?

[gep13]

The two main Web Servers out there are Apache and IIS.

Historically, the main distinction between them was that Apache was on *nix machine, and IIS is on Windows. Although that is still mainly the case, you can now run Apache on a windows server as well.

That is why you will see some web hosts able to offer cheaper deals for hosting, as they will have only Apache and MySql, i.e. you can't run ASP.net Websites, or use SQL Server. That is because they are running *nix servers (linux) and therefore don't have the associated license costs of windows.

I am not sure I quite understand your question:

Apache is a web server;why?

The answer is because that is what it was designed and written to do.

As for what an application server is, have a look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_server

Gary

[Tommy.net]

Hi Gary;
I think you did not read my post

I want to know:

1) What is a web server
2) What is an application server
3) What is the difference between the two

[gep13]

I think I did read your post.

Did you read mine?

A web server is for hosting web sites and an Application server is described in the link that I provided.

Gary

[HowTo]

what is the meaning of the term "Hosting a website" ?
please explain

[gep13]

To "host" a website basically means you take the code that makes up the website, i.e. the HTML, ASPX, and code etc, and place it under the root of the web server. Create the necessary virtual directory, and then the web server will respond to requests for pages within that site.

i.e. it "hosts" the files, ready to "serve" them out when requested.

Gary

[baja_yu]

You can read about it all from Wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_server

As for the differences, you can come to that conclusion after you read about both.

[gep13]

By all means, post back once you have done some reading, and ask more questions.

Gary