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Apache Tomcat vs Microsoft IIS: What are the differences?

Introduction

Apache Tomcat and Microsoft IIS are both popular web server software options. While they serve a similar purpose of hosting websites and web applications, there are key differences between the two.

  1. Platform Compatibility: One major difference between Apache Tomcat and Microsoft IIS is their platform compatibility. Apache Tomcat is designed to run on Java Virtual Machines (JVM), making it compatible with different platforms including Windows, Linux, and macOS. On the other hand, Microsoft IIS is designed specifically for Windows operating systems.

  2. Web Server vs Application Server: Another difference lies in their primary purpose. Apache Tomcat is primarily an application server that specializes in running Java-based web applications. It supports the Java Servlet API and JavaServer Pages (JSP). In contrast, Microsoft IIS is a web server that can host different types of web applications, including those developed using .NET technologies.

  3. Open Source vs Proprietary: Apache Tomcat is an open-source software, available for free under the Apache License. It has a large community of developers contributing to its enhancement and support. On the other hand, Microsoft IIS is a proprietary software that requires licensing and may involve additional costs for certain features.

  4. Configuration and Administration: When it comes to configuration and administration, Apache Tomcat might be considered more lightweight and easier to configure compared to Microsoft IIS. Tomcat provides a simple server.xml configuration file, whereas IIS has a more complex configuration system with multiple components and settings.

  5. Additional Features and Services: Microsoft IIS offers several additional features and services that are integrated with the Windows Server ecosystem. These include features like Windows Authentication, Active Directory integration, and support for various Microsoft technologies. Apache Tomcat, being more focused on Java-based applications, may not have the same level of integration and support for these Microsoft-specific features.

  6. Performance and Scalability: Both Apache Tomcat and Microsoft IIS have their strengths in terms of performance and scalability. Apache Tomcat is known for its strong performance with Java-based web applications and offers excellent scalability. On the other hand, Microsoft IIS is optimized for hosting .NET applications and can leverage the performance benefits provided by the Windows Server platform.

In summary, Apache Tomcat and Microsoft IIS differ in terms of platform compatibility, primary purpose, licensing, configuration, additional features, and performance. These differences make each server suitable for different scenarios and preferences when it comes to web hosting and application deployment.

Advice on Microsoft IIS and Apache Tomcat

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 · 723.5K views
Recommends
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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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Decisions about Microsoft IIS and Apache 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 Microsoft IIS
Pros of Apache Tomcat
  • 83
    Great with .net
  • 55
    I'm forced to use iis
  • 27
    Use nginx
  • 18
    Azure integration
  • 15
    Best for ms technologyes ms bullshit
  • 10
    Fast
  • 6
    Reliable
  • 6
    Performance
  • 4
    Powerful
  • 3
    Simple to configure
  • 3
    Webserver
  • 2
    Easy setup
  • 1
    Shipped with Windows Server
  • 1
    Ssl integration
  • 1
    Security
  • 1
    Охуенный
  • 79
    Easy
  • 72
    Java
  • 49
    Popular
  • 1
    Spring web

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Cons of Microsoft IIS
Cons of Apache Tomcat
  • 1
    Hard to set up
  • 3
    Blocking - each http request block a thread
  • 2
    Easy to set up

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What is Microsoft IIS?

Internet Information Services (IIS) for Windows Server is a flexible, secure and manageable Web server for hosting anything on the Web. From media streaming to web applications, IIS's scalable and open architecture is ready to handle the most demanding tasks.

What is Apache Tomcat?

Apache Tomcat powers numerous large-scale, mission-critical web applications across a diverse range of industries and organizations.

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What are some alternatives to Microsoft IIS and Apache Tomcat?
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.
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Amazon EC2
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Firebase
Firebase is a cloud service designed to power real-time, collaborative applications. Simply add the Firebase library to your application to gain access to a shared data structure; any changes you make to that data are automatically synchronized with the Firebase cloud and with other clients within milliseconds.
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