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Apache HTTP Server vs GeoServer: What are the differences?

Introduction

Apache HTTP Server and GeoServer are two different server software that serve different purposes. Apache HTTP Server is a web server software, while GeoServer is a server designed for serving geospatial data. Despite some similarities in functionalities, these two servers have several key differences.

  1. Architecture: The architecture of Apache HTTP Server and GeoServer is different. Apache HTTP Server follows a client-server model, where it responds to HTTP requests from clients. On the other hand, GeoServer is based on a service-oriented architecture and provides specialized services for serving geospatial data.

  2. Functionality: Apache HTTP Server primarily focuses on serving static files and executing server-side scripts, such as PHP or Perl. It supports a wide range of web technologies and can handle various web application scenarios. In contrast, GeoServer is specifically designed for serving geospatial data. It provides advanced functionalities and standards-compliant services for managing and sharing geospatial resources.

  3. Support for Geospatial Data Formats: One major difference between Apache HTTP Server and GeoServer is their support for geospatial data formats. Apache HTTP Server does not have built-in support for geospatial data formats. It treats geospatial files as regular files and serves them as static content. On the other hand, GeoServer has native support for a wide range of geospatial data formats, such as shapefiles, GeoTIFF, and KML. It can dynamically render and serve geospatial data in different formats.

  4. GIS Functionality: GeoServer provides advanced Geographic Information System (GIS) functionalities that are not available in Apache HTTP Server. It allows users to create and manage maps, perform spatial analysis, and publish geospatial data through web services. Apache HTTP Server does not have built-in GIS functionalities and is not specifically designed for handling geospatial data.

  5. Administration and Configuration: The administration and configuration of Apache HTTP Server and GeoServer also differ. Apache HTTP Server can be configured through various configuration files, including the main httpd.conf file. It provides extensive control over server settings, modules, and virtual hosts. On the other hand, GeoServer has its own web-based administration interface where users can configure various aspects of the server, including data sources, security settings, and layer styles.

  6. Community and Ecosystem: Apache HTTP Server has a larger community and ecosystem compared to GeoServer. It is one of the most widely used web servers and has a vast collection of modules and extensions developed by the community. This extensive ecosystem provides additional functionalities and integrations with other web technologies. Although GeoServer also has an active community, it is more focused on the geospatial domain and has a smaller ecosystem of plugins and extensions.

In summary, Apache HTTP Server and GeoServer differ in their architecture, functionality, support for geospatial data formats, GIS capabilities, administration and configuration options, and community and ecosystem size. Apache HTTP Server is a general-purpose web server, while GeoServer is specifically designed for serving geospatial data.

Advice on Apache HTTP Server and GeoServer
greg00m
| 6 upvotes · 748K views
Needs advice
on
Apache HTTP ServerApache HTTP ServerMicrosoft IISMicrosoft IIS
and
NGINXNGINX

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!

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Replies (1)
Simon Aronsson
Developer Advocate at k6 / Load Impact · | 4 upvotes · 742.7K views
Recommends
on
NGINXNGINX

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.

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StackShare Editors
| 2 upvotes · 708.2K views
Needs advice
on
Apache HTTP ServerApache HTTP Server
and
NGINXNGINX

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."

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Replies (3)
jlp78
| 3 upvotes · 710K views
Recommends
on
NGINXNGINX

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.

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Leandro Barral
CIO at IkeCode · | 2 upvotes · 707.9K views
Recommends
on
NGINXNGINX

I use nginx because its more flexible and easy to configure

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Christian Cwienk
Software Developer at SAP · | 1 upvotes · 707.2K views
Recommends
on
Apache HTTP ServerApache HTTP Server

I use Apache HTTP Server because it's intuitive, comprehensive, well-documented, and just works

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Decisions about Apache HTTP Server and GeoServer
Hari Kishore
| 7 upvotes · 406.9K views
Shared insights
on
AnsibleAnsibleApache HTTP ServerApache HTTP ServerRed Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)Apache TomcatApache Tomcat

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.

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Pros of Apache HTTP Server
Pros of GeoServer
  • 479
    Web server
  • 305
    Most widely-used web server
  • 217
    Virtual hosting
  • 148
    Fast
  • 138
    Ssl support
  • 44
    Since 1996
  • 28
    Asynchronous
  • 5
    Robust
  • 4
    Proven over many years
  • 2
    Mature
  • 2
    Perfomance
  • 1
    Perfect Support
  • 0
    Many available modules
  • 0
    Many available modules
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    Cons of Apache HTTP Server
    Cons of GeoServer
    • 4
      Hard to set up
      Be the first to leave a con

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      What is Apache HTTP Server?

      The Apache HTTP Server is a powerful and flexible HTTP/1.1 compliant web server. Originally designed as a replacement for the NCSA HTTP Server, it has grown to be the most popular web server on the Internet.

      What is GeoServer?

      It is developed, tested, and supported as community-driven project by a diverse group of individuals and organizations. It is designed for interoperability, it publishes data from any major spatial data source using open standards.

      Need advice about which tool to choose?Ask the StackShare community!

      Jobs that mention Apache HTTP Server and GeoServer as a desired skillset
      Staff Software Engineer - Site Reliability
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      What companies use Apache HTTP Server?
      What companies use GeoServer?
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      What tools integrate with Apache HTTP Server?
      What tools integrate with GeoServer?
        No integrations found

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        What are some alternatives to Apache HTTP Server and GeoServer?
        Apache Tomcat
        Apache Tomcat powers numerous large-scale, mission-critical web applications across a diverse range of industries and organizations.
        NGINX
        nginx [engine x] is an HTTP and reverse proxy server, as well as a mail proxy server, written by Igor Sysoev. According to Netcraft nginx served or proxied 30.46% of the top million busiest sites in Jan 2018.
        JBoss
        An application platform for hosting your apps that provides an innovative modular, cloud-ready architecture, powerful management and automation, and world class developer productivity.
        Jetty
        Jetty is used in a wide variety of projects and products, both in development and production. Jetty can be easily embedded in devices, tools, frameworks, application servers, and clusters. See the Jetty Powered page for more uses of Jetty.
        XAMPP
        It consists mainly of the Apache HTTP Server, MariaDB database, and interpreters for scripts written in the PHP and Perl programming languages.
        See all alternatives

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