What Is Apache Server? Everything you need to know in 2024!
Have you ever stumbled upon the term “Apache” and wondered what it is? You might as well have gone a step further and come across the term “Apache Server”? Confused, right?
Apache is one of the most well-known web servers that developers, website owners, and even hosting providers prefer using. According to statistics, Apache dominates the market by 33% across all the present websites.
Let’s have a look at what Apache is and what is meant by an Apache server. By the way, the name “Apache” refers to the Native American Indian tribe, which was known for its warfare and strategic skills.
The developers of this ingenious software somehow found this word appealing, hence the term “Apache”. So, what is Apache? Let’s take a look at it in this simple guide below.
But before we look at the Apache Web Server, let us first know what a web server is for a better understanding.
Web Server Meaning
Servers like file servers, mail servers, web servers, and database servers all use different software. These servers must access many files saved on the physical servers and use them to achieve several objectives.
The primary focus of a web server is to deliver websites over the internet upon request. Think of it as a mediator facilitating the delivery of certain things, in this case, the websites. It pulls the requested content from its servers, which are stored and delivered upon request.
One of the highly critical tasks of a web server is to provide services to different users of the web at the same time. This can be demanding. Web servers execute the files specified in various programming languages like Python, Java, and PHP.
These files are turned into static HTML files by the web servers. It lends services to those fields within the web server browser. To summarize, a web server is a tool that smoothens the communication between the client and the server.
What is Apache Web Server?
Apache HTTP Server is an web server that boasts itself to be open-source. Meaning it is free. Like any other web server, it delivers the content through the internet. It is commonly known as Apache, and preceding its development, it quickly became the most popular HTTP client on the web that there is!
It was thought that Apache got its name due to its development history, which consisted of constant improvements in the form of applied patches and modules, but that was not the case.
It is said to have gotten its name after the Native American tribe, known for its resiliency, durability, and warcraft, as we saw in this guide’s introduction.
Before we dive in depth on Apache, it is best first to go over what a web application is and the mainstream, standard architecture usually found in the web apps.
Why Apache Web Servers?
Apache is an open-source software, meaning the source code is available for viewing and collaboration at no cost. Its open-source nature has made Apache very famous, with developers who have built and configured their modules to apply specific features and functionality and improve its core features.
Apache has been in the market since 1995 and is a core technology that has acted as a catalyst in the initial growth of the internet in its infancy. One of the highly admired pros of Apache is its ability to handle large volumes of inflowing traffic with minimal configuration.
It can be scaled with utter ease, and with its modular functionality at its core, users can configure Apache to fit their specific needs. As they do with the hot air balloons in the cartoons, you can also remove the unwanted modules to make them more lightweight and efficient.
Some popular modules that can be added are server-side programming support (PHP), SSL, and load-balancing configurations to handle large volumes of internet traffic.
Apache can also be deployed on MacOS, Linux, and Windows, which is another thing that also lends it the adjective “versatile”. If a user learns to configure Apache on Linux, you can also administer Apache on Windows and Mac. The only difference would be the installation processes and the directory paths.
Features of Apache Web Server
- Auto-indexing
- Handling of static files
- Loadable dynamic modules
- FTP connections
- Gzip compression and decompression
- Bandwidth throttling
- Perl, PHP, Lua scripts
- .htaccess
- Compatible with IPv6
- Supports HTTP/2
- URL rewriting
- Geolocation based on IP address
- Load balancing
- Session tracking
How does Apache Web Server Work?
Apache mediates the communication over networks from client to server using the TCP/IP protocol. Apache can be used for many protocols, but the most common is HTTP/S.
HTTP/S or HyperText Transfer Protocol, where the S means Secure, is one of the main protocols on the web and is the protocol that Apache is most known for.
HTTP/S defines how messages are formatted and transmitted across the web; it consists of instructions for the server and the browsers on responding to incoming commands and requests.
Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) is usually through port 443, with the unsecured protocol through port 80. The Apache server is configured via the “config” files, which consists of the modules that control its behavior.
Apache, by default, listens to the IP addresses configured in its config files, which are requested. This is where Apaches uses one of its many strengths.
Apache accepts and lends specific routes to traffic that flows towards certain domains and ports based on the particular address-port combination requests. All this is possible through the Listen directive.
The Listen directive runs on port 80, but Apache can run on different ports for different domains, allowing multiple websites and domains to be hosted on a single server. Users can have domain1.com listening on port 80, domain3.com on port 443 using HTTPS, domain2.com on port 8080, and all with the one and only Apache!
Once a message reaches its recipient/destination, it sends a notice or an ACK message, which acknowledges to the sender that its data has been successfully delivered.
For any error encountered while receiving the data or some packets while in transit, the destination host or client reverts with a NAK (Not Acknowledged) message, which informs the sender that the data needs to be retransmitted.
Some common features are built-in in Apache Web Server, such as:
- IPV6
- FTP
- HTTP/2
- .htaccess
- Perl
- PHP
- Bandwidth Throttling
- Load balancing
- WebDAV
- URL rewriting
- Session tracking
Who Uses The Apache Server?
One of the most popular web servers worldwide is the Apache HTTP Server, which is also referred to as Apache. It is open-source software that is used by many kinds of people, companies, and developers. Some of the main users of the Apache Web Server are as follows:
1. Websites and Web Applications:
Many websites and web applications rely on Apache to deliver static and dynamic web content. Many well-known websites and platforms use Apache to process HTTP requests and provide users with web pages.
2. Organizations and Corporations:
Apache is frequently used as a web server solution by large organizations and corporations. Large enterprises’ web hosting demands can be effectively handled by it thanks to its vast feature set, scalability, and dependability.
3. Government and Educational Institutions:
Apache is frequently used by government agencies, educational institutions, and research groups to host webpages, online programs, and instructional materials. Because it’s open-source, public institutions can afford to use it.
4. Hosting Providers:
Many web hosts run websites and apps on their servers using Apache as the web server software. It offers a reliable and adaptable way to run several websites on one server.
5. Engineers and small enterprises:
Apache’s versatility, ease of use, and free availability make it popular for startups, small enterprises, and individual engineers. For people who want to set up web servers without paying a lot of money for licensing, Apache is a popular option.
6. Open-Source Software Projects:
Apache is the web server used by a lot of open-source software projects and communities. Its open-source nature complements the guiding philosophies of many software development projects.
7. Content Delivery Networks (CDNs):
Some CDNs use Apache to manage web traffic and serve content effectively. Although Apache is still a popular option in some situations, many CDNs use specialized software for performance-related reasons.
8. System Administrators and DevOps Experts:
System administrators and DevOps experts use Apache to configure and manage web servers. Its modular architecture and comprehensive documentation make it the go-to option for individuals in charge of server configuration.
Apache’s endurance, dependability, and the backing of a thriving open-source community all contribute to its ongoing appeal as a web server alternative. Also, the continuous software updates and enhancements are guaranteed by the Apache Software Foundation, which manages the development of Apache projects
Alternatives for Apache Server
Despite its popularity Apache is not the only one on the market. Below I have listed a number of alternatives for Apache HTTP servers.
Pros and Cons of Apache
Apache can be the best option to execute a website on a robust yet stable platform. However, like everything else, it does come with a few disadvantages that we need to understand.
Pros:
- Stable and reliable software
- Regular security patches are frequently updated
- Beginner-friendly, easy to configure
- Works readily with the WordPress sites
- Cross-platform (implemented on Windows servers and Unix)
- Flexible because of the module-based structure
- Free and open-source, even for economical use
- Readily available support and a vast community in the case of any issue
Cons:
- Performance issues can be seen on extra heavy-traffic websites
- Several configuration options can cause security susceptibility
Conclusion
Throughout the last few decades, Apache has been the primary go-to solution in many popular stacks and has also acted as the backbone of the early internet era.
While its popularity is being clouded with many options of web server along with the new ones joining the already long list, it still plays a leading role in many technology stacks and companies systems.
Even with new technologies and servers coming out endlessly, Apache is still one of those technology stalwarts every developer should learn about.
FAQs: Apache Server
What platforms does Apache support?
Apache is designed to run on various operating systems, including Unix, Linux, Windows, MacOS, and more. This cross-platform compatibility contributes to its popularity as well.
How does Apache handle static and dynamic content?
Apache serves both the static and dynamic content. It can handle static HTML pages and dynamic content generated by scripts and applications through modules like mod_php and mod_perl.
What is the role of .htaccess files in Apache?
The .htaccess file is a config file Apache uses to apply directory-specific configuration settings. It allows users to override some settings without altering the main server configuration.
What are Apache modules?
Apache modules are extensions or plugins that enhance the functionality of the Apache web server. Examples include mod_ssl for enabling SSL/TLS encryption and mod_rewrite for URL rewriting.
How can I secure my Apache server?
Apache provides various security measures, such as SSL/TLS support, access control through.htaccess, and the ability to limit server information disclosure. Regularly updating Apache and its modules is a good security practice.
