Apache Tomcat vs JBoss: What are the differences?
# Introduction
In this comparison, we will discuss the key differences between Apache Tomcat and JBoss.
1. **Architecture**: Apache Tomcat is a lightweight, open-source application server primarily used for serving Java servlets and JSP pages. On the other hand, JBoss is a full-featured, open-source Java EE application server that provides a complete framework for developing, deploying, and running enterprise applications.
2. **Supported Technologies**: Apache Tomcat supports Servlets and JSPs, while JBoss supports a broader range of Java EE technologies such as EJB, JPA, JMS, CDI, and more. This makes JBoss suitable for complex enterprise applications that require a wide array of technologies.
3. **Clustering and High Availability**: JBoss offers built-in support for clustering and high availability, making it a better choice for applications that require scalability and fault tolerance. Apache Tomcat, while capable of clustering, might require additional configurations and third-party tools to achieve similar levels of clustering and high availability.
4. **Management and Monitoring**: JBoss comes with a comprehensive management console that allows administrators to monitor and manage various aspects of the application server. In contrast, Apache Tomcat provides basic management capabilities through its web-based administration interface, which might be sufficient for simpler deployments.
5. **Community and Support**: Apache Tomcat has a large and active community providing support, documentation, and plugins. JBoss, being a part of the Red Hat ecosystem, offers commercial support options and enterprise-grade features for businesses that require reliable and timely support.
6. **Licenses and Cost**: Apache Tomcat is distributed under the Apache License, making it free to use and suitable for open-source projects. JBoss, on the other hand, is based on the JBoss Community License and offers commercial Red Hat Enterprise support, which may incur licensing and support costs for enterprise deployments.
In Summary, Apache Tomcat is ideal for lightweight servlet and JSP-based applications, while JBoss is better suited for enterprise applications requiring a comprehensive Java EE platform with clustering and high availability features.
