What is Apache HTTP Server?
Apache HTTP Server is an open source web server, also known as “httpd” and Apache.
Some interesting facts about Apache are:
- The Apache Software Foundation manages its brand and services.
- The server is developed and maintained by an open community of developers under the ASF.
- Typically running on Linux, Apache powers approximately 46% of all websites worldwide.
- It is the core component of the LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP).
Basic architecture
Apache follows a multithreaded approach. It provides a variety of multiple processing units. These pre-modules are basically three types of request handling algorithms. Each is intended for different server.
MPMs (Multi-Processing Modules) provide a flexible architecture for choosing different connectivity and different handling algorithms.
Also, different versions of Apache 2 use different processing modules.
The three main Apache MPMs are:
Old school Apache (2.2) uses mpm_worker, mpm_prefork and mod_php. While Apache 2.4 is configured to use mpm_event, php-fpm.
By default, Apache 2.2 is configured in Pre-fork mode (mpm_prefork). It responds to a specified number of processes, each of which can serve only one request at a time.
In other words, Apache creates a new thread each time to handle each connection request.
However, Apache's basic architecture can lead to heavy resource consumption, which can cause server problems (e.g. slow speed).
Performance
2.1 Static Content
Static content or files are typically files stored on disk on a computer server, for example, CSS files, JavaScript files, or images. Apache handles static content using the conventional file-based method.
2.2 Dynamic content
Apache can process dynamic content within the web itself, without having to rely on external elements. So it can handle your own beliefs.
OS Support
Apache runs on all kinds of Unix-like systems (e.g. Linux or BSD) and has full support for Microsoft Windows.
Distributed/centralized configuration
This architecture allows non-privileged users to control certain aspects of their website without allowing them to edit the main directory. This is great!
Function modules
The Apache server has a rich set of features that can be enabled by installing one of the 60 official modules. There are also many other unofficial modules that can be easily found on the internet.
The module system allows you to dynamically load or unload modules to meet your needs. Its modules can be enabled or disabled to add or remove features and connect to the main server.
In short, Apache has many feature modules to meet your needs, but many of them are not used often.
Flexibility and adaptability
Customizations to the web server can be done through modules. Apache has had dynamic module loading for the longest time, so all Apache modules support it.
Safety
Apache ensures that all websites running on its server are safe from any damage and hackers.
In doing so, it offers configuration advice for handling a DDoS, as well as the mod_evasive module for responding to HTTP DoS, DDoS, or brute force attacks.
Support
Commercial Apache support is available from many third-party companies, such as OpenLogic, but no official directory is maintained by the Apache Foundation. The Apache server is intended to offer extensive support to all its users.
Final Takeaway
- i) Apache .htaccess
NGINX doesn't support anything like Apache's .htaccess file. However, with Apache, you have the advantage of giving non-privileged users control over some important aspects of website .
- Users, obviously, are not allowed to edit the main configuration.
- Using .htaccess files, you can override settings system a per-directory basis.
- For optimal performance, include these .htaccess directives in your main configuration file.
- In a shared hosting, Apache works best because of the .htaccess configuration.
- ii) In case of functionality limitations – use Apache
Nginx has some core modules that are very important. However, there are some limitations to the functionality with Nginx.
In case of some limitations or needing to use additional modules not supported by Nginx, you may want to choose Apache.
