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Apache HTTP Server vs Apache Traffic Server: What are the differences?
Introduction:
Apache HTTP Server and Apache Traffic Server are both widely used web server software tools. While they both serve the purpose of delivering web content, there are key differences between the two.
Response Processing: Apache HTTP Server processes responses synchronously, which means it waits until the entire response is received before serving it to the client. On the other hand, Apache Traffic Server uses asynchronous processing, allowing it to start sending data to the client as soon as it becomes available, resulting in better performance and reduced latency.
Caching Capability: Apache HTTP Server does not have built-in caching capabilities, requiring the use of additional modules or plugins for caching functionality. Apache Traffic Server, on the other hand, comes with built-in caching capabilities, making it more suitable for content caching and improving overall server performance.
Reverse Proxy Features: Apache HTTP Server can be configured as a reverse proxy, allowing it to distribute incoming client requests to multiple backend servers. However, configuring and managing a reverse proxy in Apache HTTP Server requires additional configuration. In contrast, Apache Traffic Server is specifically designed as a reverse proxy caching server, making it easier to configure and manage reverse proxy features.
HTTP/2 Support: Apache HTTP Server has support for HTTP/2, the latest version of the HTTP protocol, allowing for faster and more efficient communication between the server and the client. Apache Traffic Server, on the other hand, has native support for HTTP/2, optimizing server-client communication and enhancing performance for modern web applications.
Plugin Ecosystem: Apache HTTP Server has a rich ecosystem of third-party plugins and modules, providing enhanced functionality and customization options. On the other hand, Apache Traffic Server has a relatively smaller plugin ecosystem, with fewer options for extending its functionalities.
Configuration and Management: Apache HTTP Server's configuration file is typically edited manually, and changes require a server restart to take effect. Apache Traffic Server, on the other hand, provides a robust API and command-line tools for dynamic configuration and management, allowing administrators to make changes without restarting the server.
In Summary, Apache HTTP Server and Apache Traffic Server differ in terms of response processing, caching capability, reverse proxy features, HTTP/2 support, plugin ecosystem, and configuration management.
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.
