Originally posted by MrCool
Hey everyone!
I set up (as most as we have) a webserver on my computer. It' s a win XP 400Mhz (i know, i know) with IIS 5.1, php 4.3.6, mysql 4.0.18
I mainly use IIS mainly cuz it already comes with windows and it's easy to use, asp support is integrated (although i only used it once or twice). It also has a FTP server and some mail server i'm still trying to understand how it works.
I kinda feel left apart with so many apache users, is apache really that good, what does it have that simple IIS doesn't have?
P.S. It was hard to find the appropriate forum for this post, thought about windows but......

This question actually shows the biggest difference between apache and IIs. Apache is a web server. Just a web server. It isn't an email server, an ftp server, a database server, and indexing server, or a hot grits machine. It just serves web pages.

IIS is typical of Microsoft's "kitchen sink" mentality of stuffing as many non-related features into a single product as possible, using tight integration while doing so. This makes them all seem to be of a same design and makes installation somewhat easier. But it also makes it hard to remove or add parts as need be, and increases the vulnerabilities of the conglomerate system because there's simply more to attack.

Apache has fewer "gee whiz" marketroid features and more "oh my god!" web server features, like mod_rewrite.

The primary advantage apache has over IIS is stability. I've run apache on linux for >5 years and have never once had the main apache server crash and go offline. And child processes crashing are pretty darned rare if it's all set up right. I can't say the same for IIS.

The other advantage has over IIS is platform independence. If you need to run it on your mainframe, Solaris box, SCO box, OSX box, Linux, BSD, or Amiga system, there's a version out there or you can convert it yourself given the time, effort, and skills needed. IIS will only ever run on one system, and one system alone.

    Originally posted by Sxooter
    And child processes crashing are pretty darned rare if it's all set up right.

    And of course, even if a child does die, the parent httpd will just spawn off another one if and when needed. Yes! Apache can keep running even after it has crashed!

      Apache is kinda like a tank, built to keep going when things aren't perfect. IIS is more like some spiffed out SUV with DVD players in the back and hydrolic cup holders that works pretty well as long as you don't actually go off road with it.

      🙂

        5 months later

        thi sis old but came up in my search 😛

        if apahe woul dbe able to run asp without any problems thats a better choice then IIS. i know theres a mod_perl but it runs only some asp scripts scripts like snitz forums it doesnt.

        while IIShas asp support built in the rest os lacking.

        i just spent a week trying to get 5.1 and 6.0 working.

        5.1 wont accept asp.... 500 errors. and every php version tha tis used it gives vriable errors on php pages. it also doesnt lik eth enewest mysql.

        6.0 the asuth is messed up you cant use php with it.

        apache has none of these problems. th eonly this it lacks is a decent asp typ einteration to run asp scripts

          Originally posted by Weedpacket
          Pardon?

          wot? i did a search and this came up and its a interesting topic. i had to say my 2cents about apache and IIS.

            Originally posted by Toboe
            wot? i did a search and this came up and its a interesting topic. i had to say my 2cents about apache and IIS.

            I think he was trying to decipher your post's content, despite its grammar, spelling, and punctuation issues--not questioning your accuracy or context.

              I think he was commenting on your appalling use of English.

              EDIT: If I'd bothered to read page 2 I probably wouldn't have looked like a copycat.

                i like IIS for development as you can develop in almost every possible language and database and you have it on your personal computer. so my computer is a database server, web server, mail server, and desktop. of course I would never open this up the world wide web. when i want to go live I move my code to the appropriate type server.

                  And you can't do all that with Apache/Windows?

                    can't do .net and though asp can be done i heard that there are many problems with it.

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