What Are Apache? Pros and Cons

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Apache is one of the most popular web servers today. Want to know what Apache Web Server is?

In this article, we will discuss what Apache is and how it compares to other popular web servers. Let’s slide down!

What Are Apache?

Apache was launched in 1995 and has become a popular web server since one year later until now. So this web server has been around for more than 20 years and until now the Apache Web Server is managed by the Apache Software Foundation.

As with any web server in general, Apache is a web server software that connects the server with the user (browser). If you access a website via a URL in a browser then a website display appears, it could be the work of Apache.

At its inception, Apache was developed so that it could become an open-source web server software that could be developed and managed by modern operating systems, such as Unix and Windows. Another goal of Apache development is to provide a secure, efficient, and easily scalable web server.

Talking about the popularity of this web server, there are several large companies that use Apache such as Salesforce, General Electric, Cisco, IBM, Adobe, VMware, Facebook, Xerox, LinkedIn, Hewlett-Packard, eBay, AT&T, Siemens, and many others – taken from siftery.com. In addition, Apache is currently the most widely used web server of the total websites on the internet.

If you look at the current conditions, currently many control panel service providers (especially cPanel) use Apache as a web server. As with various kinds of web servers today, Apache is one of the prime movers so that websites can connect with visitors (users).

How Does the Apache Web Server Work?

The way Apache works is the same as how web server software works in general. The basic role of a web server is to receive requests from users (eg ‘web browser’) and send responses to requests received (components of web pages accessed by users).

Apache Web Server has several modules that can add functionality, such as MPM which handles various multi-processing modes. Alternatively, mod_ssl which can enable SSL and TLS connection support.

Several other features are offered by Apache, such as .htaccess, SSL, HTTP/2, Lua, PHP, Perl, IPv6, FTP, Bandwidth throttling, WebDAV, Load balancing, and so on.

Weaknesses and Strengths Apache Web Server

Even though it is an interesting web server for you to try, Apache certainly has advantages and disadvantages.

Lack of Apaches

1. Vulnerable security because there are some configurations that are not well developed.

2. If you receive high traffic, there will be interference with website performance.

Apache advantages

1. Cross-platform.

2. Compatible with WordPress.

3. Large community and complete documentation.

4. The license is free (open source).

5. Have stable and reliable software.

6. Constantly updated security patches.

7. Easy configuration.

Apache Comparison with Other Web Servers

There are many web servers available on the internet besides Apache. Apache’s main competitor in terms of number of users is Nginx. Both control more than half of the worldwide web server marketshare. Apart from that, there is also LiteSpeed Web Server. Although not as popular as Apache and Nginx, LiteSpeed Web Server’s performance can compete with the two most popular web servers.

Each web server has its own advantages and disadvantages. So you can choose a web server according to the specifications needed.

Conclusion

Apache is a popular web server. This could be because Apache is the oldest web server compared to other web servers. Apart from that, Apache has several other features offered by SSL, such as .htaccess, HTTP/2, Lua, PHP, Perl, IPv6, FTP, Bandwidth throttling, WebDAV, Load balancing, and so on.

Unfortunately, when compared to other web servers such as Nginx and LiteSpeed, Apache’s performance is lower. Nginx’s ability to handle thousands of connections at the same time has outperformed Apache. Also, PHP and Magneto performance can be better when using LiteSpeed compared to Apache.

Hopefully this article is useful for you. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments column below.

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