Apache or Nginx – the differences of web servers
Apache and Nginx, being two of the most popular open-source web servers, are responsible for handling a significant portion of Internet traffic. While both solutions are capable of handling a variety of workloads and work with other software to provide a complete network stack, it is important to understand their unique features and differences. In this article, we will take a closer look at these differences to help you decide which one is best for your needs.
History and basic characteristics
Apache, created by Robert McCool in 1995 and developed under the aegis of the Apache Software Foundation since 1999, has been the most popular server on the Internet since 1996. Its flexibility, power and broad support make it a frequent choice for administrators. Apache is extensible by a dynamically loadable module system and can process a large number of interpreted languages without connecting to separate software. Nginx, on the other hand, was developed by Igor Sysoev in 2002 as an answer to the C10K problem, the challenge of handling ten thousand concurrent connections. The first public version of Nginx was released in 2004, based on an asynchronous event-driven architecture. Nginx gained popularity due to its low resource usage and ability to scale on minimal hardware, targeting fast delivery of static content and forwarding dynamic requests to other software.
Call handling architecture
One of the fundamental differences between Apache and Nginx is how connections and traffic are handled. Apache offers various data processing modules (MPMs) that allow for flexible connection management, such as mpm_prefork, mpm_worker and mpm_event. Each of these modules has its own unique features and is optimized for different usage scenarios. Nginx, on the other hand, uses an asynchronous, non-blocking, event-driven architecture, which allows each work process to handle thousands of connections. Nginx workflows accomplish this by implementing a fast looping mechanism that constantly checks and processes events, separating the actual work from the connections.
Support for static and dynamic content
Apache and Nginx also differ in the way they handle requests for static and dynamic content. Apache can handle static content using conventional file-based methods, and it can also process dynamic content by embedding a language-specific processor in each working instance. This allows dynamic content to be executed in the web server itself without having to rely on external components. Nginx, unlike Apache, has no native ability to process dynamic content. To handle dynamic content requests, such as PHP, Nginx must pass them to an external processor and then pass the results to the client. This method, while it can be more complicated to configure, also has its advantages, such as separating the dynamic content load from the workflow.
Distributed vs. centralized configuration
Another major difference is the approach to configuration. Apache allows additional configuration at the directory level via .htaccess files, which allows for decentralized configuration. Nginx, on the other hand, does not interpret .htaccess files and requires centralized configuration in the main configuration file, which translates into increased performance, but may be less flexible.
Modules and extensibility
Both Apache and Nginx can be extended with modules, but the way they work differs significantly. Apache allows modules to be dynamically loaded, which makes it possible to add or remove features without restarting the server. Nginx, on the other hand, requires compilation with selected modules, which can be more complicated, but provides more control for performance optimization.
Summary
The choice between Apache and Nginx should be dictated by the specific needs and requirements of the project. Apache offers greater flexibility and ease of configuration, especially for dynamic content, while Nginx is more efficient and scalable, especially in handling heavy traffic and static content. Both servers have their strengths and weaknesses, which should be considered before making a decision.
