Alternative servers and Apache techniques

Edge on the Web

Article from Issue 107/2009
Author(s):

This month we look at some alternative web servers and show you some smart Apache techniques.

Apache is the most popular web server in the world, with millions of installations around the planet serving up a huge portion of that information space we know as the World Wide Web. But Apache isn't the only HTTP server – or even the only open source HTTP server. Many admins prefer leaner, sleeker tools to the powerful, but full-figured, Apache.

This month we study a pair of open source alternative web servers. We start with a look at the fast and simple Hiawatha, which offers easy configuration and some interesting security features. Then we visit Nginx, a web server and reverse proxy system used on high-volume Internet sites such as Hula.com. You'll learn about the benefits of Hiawatha and Nginx, and we'll show you how to set up these alternative servers on your own network.

Then we turn our attentions back to Apache for the third article, which highlights some tips for speeding up web servers. We'll show you some important Apache directives that will help you get better performance, and we'll look at why these directives work and when additional speed might just cause additional problems.

The final article in this month's set examines how to organize a website with Server Side Includes. If you're restless for a new server, or if you're satisfied with Apache but are looking for some tips on design and performance, read on for our study of web servers with Linux.

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Hiawatha

    Many webmasters believe Apache is too fat and difficult. Hiawatha is a web server alternative with speed, simplicity, and some interesting security functions.

  • Apache Load Balancing

    Today's web performance and availability requirements make load balancing indispensable. In this article, we show you how to set up an effective load balancing system using features built into the Apache web server.

  • Web Wizardry Intro

    New tools for the web appear every day. In this issue, we round up some promising technologies, including Apache's Suexec module, the new WS-Addressing standard, the Helma application server, the Perlbal web server, and microformats.

  • Light Web Server Alternatives

    Apache has ruled the web since the mid-90s, but not all users are happy with it. Recent competitors Cherokee and Lighttpd offer an uncomplicated alternative for users who are looking for something light.

  • Mod_Mono

    Mod_Mono lets you host .NET applications on your Linux Apache 2 server.

comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More

News