Apache - an overview
Apache was basically the first ever feasible substitute to the Netscape Communications Corporation web server (lately also known as Sun Java System Web Server). The Apache HTTP Server, popularly called simply Apache, is a web server remembered most for being a major factor in the early development of the World Wide Web. Since it’s first version, it has evolved to rival other Unix-based web servers in terms of functionality and performance, and sometimes even surpassed them.
Apache gained immense popularity as the favorite World Wide Web server sometime in the mid to late 1990’s until very recently. The dawn of 2006 however, saw the beginning of a steady decline in Apache’s use, losing ground mostly to competitors like Microsoft Internet Information Services and the .NET platform. As of October 2007 Apache served 47.73% of all websites.
Apache is currently modified, updated, developed and maintained by an open society of developers under the patronage of the Apache Software Foundation. Several operating systems like Microsoft Windows, Novell NetWare and Unix and Unix-like operating systems such as FreeBSD, Linux, Solaris and Mac OS X can use Apache. Although released under the Apache License, Apache is open source software.
Apache servers support a wide range of features, several of which are implemented as compiled modules which expand upon the core functionality. Again, these can vary from server-side programming language support to authentication schemes. Virtual hosting allows one Apache installation to serve many different actual websites. For example, one machine, with one Apache installation could simultaneously serve www.example.com, www.test.com, test47.test-server.test.com, etc.
Apache is employed for multiple uses where content is required to be transferred in a reliable secure way. One such instance would be sharing files from a personal computer over the Internet. A user who has Apache installed on their desktop can put arbitrary files in the Apache’s document root which can then be shared.
Filed under: Unix & Apache
