What is a Web Server and an Application Server? 7 Main Benefits of an App Server
Infrastructure
25.06.2021
6 min read
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What is the difference between a web server and an app server? In this article we’ll discuss what web and app servers are, how they work and give practical advice on how to choose the best app server.
What is a web server?
What is a web server, or web hosting server? Let's take a closer look.
Simply put, it is software that recognizes URLs and HTTP.
What is the main function of a web server? A web server accepts HTTP requests from clients (web browsers) and returns HTTP responses, usually in the form of an HTML page, image, file, media stream, or redirection to some script (for example, CGI, JSP, or ASP). The user sees this response in their web browser.
The web server usually does not handle complex tasks such as payment processing or database connection. All other features, such as load balancing and clustering, are available.
In many scenarios, however, you will find that the web server is used to create the application server interface, providing a set of web pages that allow the user to interact with business logic.
So what is a web server application? In a nutshell, it is a client server where the user interacts with the web server via a browser. The logic of the web application is distributed between the server and the client side, but the data is stored mainly on the server side.
What is an app server?
Let’s answer the first question: What is an app server?
The application server is software that processes user requests and provides responses according to software algorithms. Based on a client server model, these applications balance workload and functionality between the client and server sides. It is responsible for implementing business logic via network protocols such as HTTP, and helps to create pages with dynamic content. This kind of server is an intermediate link between the database server and the web server.
An application server runs as a set of components available via an API. Modern app servers support clustering, increased fault tolerance, load balancing, security, transaction processing, resource pooling, messaging, and more, allowing developers to focus solely on implementing business logic.
To support such a variety of complex tasks, this server needs to have redundancy, considerable processing power, and large amounts of RAM to handle all the data it retrieves in real time.
How does an app server work?
While a web server mostly handles HTTP protocols, an application server handles several different protocols, including HTTP.
The main task of the web server is to display content, while the application server is responsible for the logic and interaction between the user and the content. An application server works in conjunction with a web server, where one displays and the other communicates.
The data moving between the server and its client not only displays the markup, but also handles the interaction between them. In most cases, the app server handles this interaction via an API component such as J2EE or EJB.
Why Use an Application Server?
You've probably wondered: why should I use an application server?
The answer is easy. Application servers are best used when your app has to display dynamic content, be integrated with databases, or connect to existing web servers. In addition, application servers have the following advantages:
- the ability to centrally manage web servers and database servers;
- easy deployment of patches and new security mechanisms;
- increased fault tolerance;
- transaction support;
- simple backup creation;
- optimization of load balancing processes;
- performance boosting.
What is the difference between an application server and a web server?
Now let’s clear up another question: what is the difference between an application and a web server?
In many ways, the functions of the application server and the web server are identical. However, the application server executes business logic using a set of protocols, while the web server handles HTTP requests and typically returns static content in the form of JavaScript, CSS, and HTML code.
Also, as we said above, another difference between an app and a web server is that a web server usually does not support transactions or database interactions (although it can handle caching, clustering, and load balancing).
As for the difference between an app server and a web container, most containers implement only basic Java specification requests. Conversely, app servers implement the entire Java EE Specification.
How to choose the best app server
There are three different types of application servers available on the market:
- Active application server. This type of server provides optimal conditions for implementing business logic on the backend side. These servers are also called stateful servers.
- Web information server. This is one of several types of application servers for Java that creates pages from databases using HTML templates. These are also called stateless servers.
- Component server. This type of server is responsible for accessing the database and components such as COBRA, DLL, and Java Bean. It is the perfect choice for transaction processing.
These are the different types of application servers available for developers, and you need to choose the right one for you. For example, many clients ask us: “What servers do I need for my mobile app?” Some need a solution that can meet demanding requirements such as extensive storage, the ability to send push notifications, collection of user information, analytics, etc. For these needs you can select different types of application servers from among cloud-based options such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, or look at modern solutions like Hostman, where the deployment process is fully automated.
What are the most popular application servers?
Let’s find out what is the most popular application server for you to understand what is going on in this market and who are the main players.
The list of popular application servers include:
- JBoss
- Websphere Application Server and Community Edition
- WebObjects
- Glassfish
- Tcat Server
- Apache Geronimo
- JRun
- Oracle OC4J
- Sun GlassFish Enterprise Server
- SAP Netweaver AS
- Sybase Enterprise Application Server
- tc Server
- Apache Tomcat
So these are the main players in the market. But if we had to answer a question: “What are the two most popular application servers?”, we would highlight Apache Geronimo (even if it is not presented in the report by JRebel) and Apache Tomcat. These two most popular application servers meet the highest requirements for security, performance, scalability, and availability. Another popular app server – Oracle OC4J – helps expand to Oracle containers for Java, which is a beneficial feature for microservices deployment.
Conclusion
In this article we discussed what a server is in the context of apps. We hope that now you know when and why to use an application server and how it differs from a web server. And if you don’t want to do all the hard work setting servers up, just contact us or try Hostman. We’ve automated all these processes, so you only have to make several clicks to see your app live.
Infrastructure
25.06.2021
6 min read
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Infrastructure
Private Cloud In Cloud Computing: Benefits and When To Use
What is a cloud? It’s virtualized server resources: RAM, processor power, disk space, and installed applications. The main advantage of the cloud-based approach to infrastructure is flexibility. If you need more performance, you can easily add memory or connect additional processing power when the load increases.
Difference Between Private, Public, and Hybrid Clouds
Below is the standard classification of cloud services:
Private Cloud: The infrastructure is used by only one organization. The equipment can be located either at the provider’s site or on the user’s premises.
Public Cloud: The infrastructure is shared by all registered users. Examples include Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Hostman.
Hybrid Cloud: A combination of private and public infrastructure. Part of the equipment may be located with the user, and part with the provider.
From this classification, it’s clear that hybrid clouds are a compromise solution. However, using them isn’t always justified. To understand this better, let’s compare all three types across several parameters.
Comparison Table
Parameter
Private
Public
Hybrid
Complexity
High level of complexity. Requires selecting equipment and developing architecture.
Low level of complexity. You choose a suitable service and pay for it.
High level of complexity. You need to configure the private part and connect it with the external infrastructure.
Cost
Expenses are borne by the owner of the equipment and licenses.
Expenses are borne by the provider; the user pays a service fee.
Expenses are partly on the user, partly on the provider.
Maintenance
The organization must monitor the system and fix failures itself.
The provider manages the infrastructure.
The organization must monitor its private part.
Scalability
Additional resources must be purchased and configured manually.
Additional resources are available on demand.
Additional resources are available on demand.
Security
High, as everything is under the owner’s control.
Lower level of control; many security aspects remain the provider’s responsibility.
High level of security with proper architecture, when all critical nodes are located in the private cloud.
Private Cloud Advantages and Disadvantages
The comparison table above clearly shows the pros and cons of private clouds. Let’s look at them in more detail.
Advantages:
Physical access to the equipment usually remains only with the owner. It’s also possible to limit internet connections to prevent unauthorized data access.
You can save on physical equipment by investing in the development of a virtual infrastructure instead.
Flexible configuration of resources and computing power for different departments within the company.
Disadvantages:
Requires significant financial investment: you can’t build it without purchasing or renting equipment.
System design and deployment take a lot of time.
Scalability is limited by the available physical resources. If more capacity is needed, new equipment must be purchased.
When to Create a Private Cloud
Now that we understand what a private cloud is and what its pros and cons are, let’s figure out when companies choose this approach.
The main scenario comes from how a private cloud operates. Large organizations often have enough resources to purchase equipment, design a well-thought-out architecture, and fund teams of specialists to maintain the system. Such companies also tend to handle large volumes of data that require a high level of security.
Based on this scenario, the main users of private clouds are:
Mobile network operators
Banks
Insurance companies
Gas and oil enterprises
Retail companies
The types of data that companies host in their private cloud environments can vary, but they generally fall into two main categories:
Confidential or proprietary information, for which the organization must retain full control. Security policies or internal regulations may prohibit the use of public cloud servers, leaving private infrastructure as the only viable option.
Data governed by strict legal or industry-specific compliance requirements. For instance, certain privacy laws or standards (such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI DSS) require data to be stored in secure, controlled environments or within specific jurisdictions.
In such cases, a private cloud is often the most suitable solution. It provides greater control over security and compliance, reduces regulatory risks, and allows for certification under relevant industry standards.
Moreover, if the company later needs to expand its infrastructure to store or process less sensitive data, it can integrate a public cloud and adopt a hybrid model, combining flexibility with strong data protection.
17 October 2025 · 4 min to read
Infrastructure
Hardware Virtualization: What It Is, Its Types, and Benefits
Hardware virtualization allows creating virtual machines (VMs) on physical hardware while distributing resources as efficiently as possible. This article explains how it works, what types exist, and what advantages it provides for business.
How It Works
The basic level of any virtualization is the server. Data processing occurs on physical hardware, regardless of the level of abstraction.
In hardware virtualization, a hypervisor is installed on the server. This is software that creates sets of virtual resources. There are two main types of hypervisors: Type 1 (bare-metal), which runs directly on the hardware, and Type 2 (hosted), which runs on top of a host operating system. Both create and manage virtual machines, but Type 1 generally offers higher performance. We have covered hypervisors in detail in a separate article.
The top layer of abstraction is the virtual machine. At first glance, it does not differ from a traditional server. Essentially, a VM consists of a single virtual disk and files describing its configuration.
The virtual machine is installed on the hardware hypervisor. Once the VM is prepared, operating systems and application software can be installed on it.
A helpful analogy is a book. Imagine a physical server with installed software as a book on a shelf. You can pick it up and move it physically, but creating a copy to give to someone else requires significant effort: retyping or scanning each page, assembling the pages, and binding the book.
A configured VM with allocated resources and installed applications is like a digital version of the book. You can make unlimited copies with minimal time and effort. You can create a backup, transfer a copy to another machine, or share it with another user. Virtualization of CPUs and other resources enables this simplicity in deployment and management.
Hardware Support
For VMs to function efficiently, resource allocation must be supported at the processor level. Two major technologies exist from leading manufacturers: Intel VT and AMD-V.
Both technologies have multiple development directions. The primary one is CPU virtualization, which allows running multiple systems on a single processor, either in parallel or nested within each other.
Technologies for virtualized graphics and input/output are also advancing. They facilitate remote access and sharing of physical hardware, which is useful for remote workstations or online gaming.
These hardware extensions are particularly important for Type 1 hypervisors, allowing virtual machines to run at near-native performance without modifying the guest operating system.
Types of Hardware Virtualization
The main types of virtualization are:
Full virtualization: hardware is fully emulated. This creates an environment that can run on different servers without lengthy configuration.
Paravirtualization: a special version of the operating system is created for the virtual machine. It can be modified or recompiled based on the server's hardware resources. This method was historically used to improve performance, but modern hardware virtualization extensions have largely reduced its advantage.
Hardware-assisted virtualization: a fully virtualized VM is created using the computer's physical hardware with support from processor extensions (Intel VT/AMD-V).
The choice of type depends on the tasks to be solved.
Differences Between Hardware and Software Virtualization
Hardware virtualization is not the only approach. Software virtualization relies on a host system and adds an extra layer of abstraction:
Physical server with resources
Host operating system
Hypervisor installed on the host OS (Type 2 hypervisor)
Virtual machines installed and managed via the hypervisor
Adding this extra layer complicates the process and reduces hardware performance. Physical resources are consumed by both the host OS and the hypervisor. Other issues include:
If the host system fails, all VMs running on it lose access to physical resources.
Security risks become larger; if the host OS is compromised, all VMs are at risk.
Updating or reinstalling the host OS requires stopping the VMs.
Software virtualization is suitable for simple tasks, such as testing another operating system inside the main one, avoiding the need to install multiple OSes side by side.
For business purposes, hardware virtualization is preferred because it provides higher performance and security. The key is efficient resource usage.
Business Advantages
Virtualization technology offers several benefits:
Cost efficiency: reduces expenses for purchasing, configuring, and maintaining physical hardware. Instead of multiple servers, a single powerful machine can be used, with the virtualization system dividing resources among VMs performing different tasks.
Flexibility: VM configurations can be saved as images and deployed across different hardware or moved between servers.
Scalability: when workload increases, additional VMs can be quickly launched to add resources and stabilize operations.
Fault tolerance: VM snapshots can be created at any time. Copies can be distributed geographically, so even if part of the hardware fails, the infrastructure continues to function. The load on active components can be managed by adding extra resources.
Security: VMs are isolated from each other. Compromising one VM does not affect others.
Conclusion
With hardware virtualization, external applications cannot distinguish virtual machines from physical servers. Guest operating systems run on the CPU without knowledge of other OSes sharing the same hardware. This isolation helps maintain high security.
Virtualization is used by large companies, small and medium businesses, and individual users. It enables building a flexible infrastructure of any size that can be easily scaled and protected against internal and external threats.
17 October 2025 · 5 min to read
Infrastructure
What Is a Virtual Data Center (vDC): Its Capabilities and Purpose
Virtual Data Center is infrastructure resources in the “cloud” allocated for business needs. Physically, the equipment is located in traditional data centers. The provider rents it out using virtualized space.
A virtual data center (vDC) can be managed from anywhere in the world via a console. At the same time, the flexibility of such a solution is higher than that of a traditional data center. There are also advantages in terms of cost efficiency, scalability, and security, which we will discuss below.
Virtualization Layers
A virtual data center is a multi-layered system, where virtualization is applied at each level. There are five main layers:
Network. Virtualization allows configuring communication between multiple servers to build a unified infrastructure.
Storage. Administrators manage file placement at this level, which is convenient even if the data is stored on different devices.
Resources. Virtualization enables flexible adjustment of available computing power, changing resource usage based on business needs.
Applications. Virtualization solves compatibility issues, allowing applications to run independently of the host operating system.
Access. User rights management, for example, for remote system access.
These layers are interdependent. A virtual data center operates correctly only if interactions between the layers are properly configured.
vDC Capabilities
The main advantage of a virtual data center is the ability to quickly scale resources up or down, allowing businesses to address various tasks without contacting the service provider. Other important capabilities include:
Data protection. Storing information in a vDC significantly reduces the risk of data loss, especially when backups are properly configured and geographically distributed.
Disaster recovery. With a simple and fast backup system, the infrastructure can be restored within minutes.
Flexibility. IT teams can automate routine tasks, quickly implement and test new systems and features.
Reliability. Providers use high-performance equipment and maintain the physical infrastructure of the vDC.
Control. All monitoring and management tools are available to the customer who ordered and paid for the resources.
Cost savings on hardware. There is no need to buy, configure, or maintain physical equipment; the provider handles this. Customers pay only for the resources they use.
Another important aspect is the availability of different billing models. Customers can either pay a fixed monthly amount for allocated resources or only for the resources actually consumed. Both models guarantee that the provider will allocate the requested resources, preventing situations where the client requests capacity but does not receive it in full.
Scalability Features
One of the main advantages of a virtual data center is rapid scalability. When demand increases, add resources; when demand decreases, reduce unused capacity to save costs.
Scalability can be of two types:
Horizontal scaling: new elements are added. For example, if an application normally runs on two servers but user demand increases fivefold, additional servers can be added and users distributed among them.
Vertical scaling: additional resources are added to an existing server. For instance, RAM can be increased, storage expanded, or the server replaced with a more powerful one if the CPU cannot handle the load.
Horizontal and vertical scaling are not mutually exclusive and often complement each other. Horizontal scaling is usually used for expanding server clusters, while vertical scaling is applied when increasing load without adding new servers.
A single task can be addressed with either horizontal or vertical scaling in a vDC.
Example: A web server hosting a website experiences increased traffic. Vertical scaling would involve adding CPU, RAM, or storage to the existing server. Horizontal scaling would involve cloning the server and distributing the load across multiple virtual machines.
Use Cases
A virtual data center can fully replace physical infrastructure and help address almost any business task. Common scenarios include:
Data storage
Software development and testing
Increasing capacity using reserve resources during peak loads
Creating a backup data center that fully replicates the main data center
Setting up remote workstations
These are just a few typical use cases. In practice, vDCs can be beneficial in many situations. However, this solution is not suitable for everyone, partly because vDCs are usually more expensive than standalone cloud servers.
Suitable for:
Medium or large companies planning or already migrating some processes to the cloud.
Companies with seasonal fluctuations or plans to increase load.
Startups that need to minimize infrastructure costs initially but be prepared for rapid growth.
The final decision on whether to deploy a virtual data center should involve IT specialists, economists, analysts, and managers responsible for strategic development, so everyone understands what a vDC is and the risks and benefits of its implementation.
16 October 2025 · 4 min to read
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