CIS 527

Lab 6 - Application Servers Overview

Application Server

• Platform for Enterprise Applications
• Backend Processing & Storage
• Frontend User Interface & Websites
• Always On, Always Available
• Backbone of Most Enterprises

Types of Application Servers

• Web: Apache, IIS, nginx, Tomcat
• Database: MySQL/Maria, Microsoft SQL, PostgreSQL, Mongo
• Email: Exchange, Postfix, Exim
• File: Windows, Samba, ownCloud/Nextcloud
• CRM: Salesforce, Zoho
• Inventory, Accounting, Finance, Project Managment, etc.

How do I evaluate software for my organization?

Evaluating Software

• Reputable Source
• Available Support
• Company History
• Company Coding Practices
• Extensibility
• Reviews & Recommendations

Installation Test

• Other Software & Tools Needed
• System Requirements
• Data Migration Process (In & Out)
• Ease of Configuration
• Network Traffic

Usability Test

• User Beta Test
• System Load & Load Balancing
• Network Security & Encryption
• Ease of Updates
• Logging & Accountability
• Accessibility