CIS 527

Lecture 21 - Application Servers Overview

Application Server

• Provide a platform for running applications
• Perform back-end processing and storage
• Always on, always available
• Backbone of most organizations

Common Application Servers

• Web - Apache, IIS, ngnix, Tomcat
• Database - MySQL, Microsoft SQL, PostgreSQL
• Email - Exchange, Postfix, Exim
• Customer Relationship Management Software
• Inventory & Accounting Software

Web Servers

• First created in 1989 by Tim Berners-Lee
• Provides web pages via HTTP
• Modern examples provide scripting support for dynamic webpages, virtual hosting, caching, etc

Apache

• 53% market share (May '13)
• Key player in initial WWW growth
• Cross platform (commonly Unix-like)
• Many modules available

Internet Information Services (IIS)

• 17% market share (May '13)
• Microsoft's proprietary web server (NT)
• Partially caused US v. Microsoft case
• Some extensions available
• Natively supports ASP.NET

ngnix

• 15% market share (May '13)
• Reverse proxy web server
• Runs on Unix-like systems
• High performance & concurrency
• ~2.5 MB memory per 10k inactive connections

Database Servers

• aka Database Management Systems (DBMSs)
• Manages data storage definitions, updates, retrievals, and administration
• May store data in files or on block devices
• Supports some query language

Microsoft SQL Server

• 68% of companies use MSSQL
• Stand-alone software for Windows
• Uses T-SQL for querying
• Commonly used with IIS for web applications

MySQL

• 50% of companies use MSSQL
• Open source DBMS
• Cross-platform
• Now owned by Oracle
• Typically used as part of the LAMP stack for web applications

PostgreSQL

• Object-relational DBMS
• Focuses on extensibility and standards compliance
• Cross-platform
• Used by Yahoo, State Farm, Disqus, etc.

Email Server

• aka Message Transfer Agent
• Handles transfer and delivery of email messages
• Supports POP3, IMAP, SMTP and other protocols

Exim

• Open source, cross-platform MTA
• Default MTA on many Linux systems
• Used in many high-traffic systems
• 47% market share (2013)

Postfix

• Open source, cross-platform MTA
• Developed as a replacement for Sendmail
• Designed for high performance delivery (~2500/sec)
• 26% market share (2013)

Exchange

• Microsoft's email, calendar and contact management server
• First used in 1995 by Microsoft itself
• 8% market share (2013)

Other Concerns

• Scripting Languages - PHP, Python, Perl, .NET, Ruby
• Frameworks - Zend, Wiki, Drupal
• Platforms - Rails, Tomcat, MS Dynamics
• Applications - Wordpress, RT, Wiki

Discussion Time

• You are an IT administrator for a large insurance company
• You have been tasked with reviewing a new CRM web application


• List 5 questions or concerns

Software Source

• Reputable Sources
• Support Offerings
• Company History
• Coding Practices
• Extensibility

Installation

• Other Software/Tools Needed
• Storage Requirements
• Data Migration
• Ease of Configuration
• Testbeds & Beta Test

Usage

• Network Security & Encryption
• System Load & Balancing
• Ease of Updates
• Logging & Accountability
• Evaluation - Meeting Needs?

Assignments

• Lab Help Session Fridays 9 - 10 AM!
• Lab 6 - Application Servers - Due Sunday, April 27th by 11:59 PM
• Set up Application Servers & Software
• Turn in:
  • CIS Transient Storage
  • via Storage Media in class Monday April 28th