Web-Based Application and Infrastructure for Apache

Posted: August 27th, 2021

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Web-Based Application and Infrastructure for Apache

Whereas the landscape of web servers is composed of many divergent technologies, Apache is debatably considered one of the best web-server. Its development is open-source Apache HTTP software, which retrieves source codes freely through viewing and collaboration. Unlike other web servers like NGINX, Apache HTTP is regarded the most popular at 50% since it can handle large quantities of data traffics with minimal configurations. Therefore, Apache can be deployed with ease on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Overall Product Architecture and Key Components of Web-Based Application

Product architecture entails the organization or the chunking of Apache’s functional elements. In particular, it might encompass the interactions of all chunks or elements. Certainly, it takes an integral role in scheming, selling, as well asrevampingthe offer of a new product.Therefore, the web-based infrastructure means the involved strategies of mapping the function into the product’s form. 

Figure 1. Picture of web-based product architecture

Generally, there are two basic types of product architecture, including modular as well as integral. Concerning the modular type of product architecture, there is a well-described component whose purpose is to interface functionally within self-contained modules. The product is organized into several modules in a bid to create and develop a particular goal. Usually, the interaction of all encompassed modules brings about the overall purpose of a product, leading to many benefits like outsourcing and allocating tasks. In short, the modular type of product architecture brings many other advantages, ranging from economies of scale, standardization to mass customization.

However, regarding the integral product architecture, functions of the product are ideally distributed among the physical elements. Therefore, there is a greater anticipated complexity of mapping in the association of components coupled with functions. Thus, it is easier to optimize the whole product architectural type since each component is adapted for a specific function.

            A web-based application (Apache) has four critical components associated with streaming architecture as follows.

1. The message broker or stream processor – this particular component derives data from a producer source, converts it into a standard message format, and additional streams it continuously while other components eavesdrop and consume the passed-on messages. The latest hyper-performing message brokers include Apache Kafka, as illustrated by figure 2. Therefore, streaming brokers support extremely high performance based on persistence coupled with high capacity Gigabytes per second.

Figure 2. The message broker or stream processor

1. Batch together with Real-time ETL features– this component is relevant forcombining, changing, and configuring numerous messages before the features of SQL-oriented analytics tools could structure them. The ETL tools are useful for receiving queries from varied users, thus creating the predictableoutcomes. Undeniably, this is done by queuing together with applying the queries, as shown in figure 3.Therefore, Apache Storm is an example of this kind of component streaming architecture.

Figure 2. Batch and real-time ETL tools

1. Data analytics or Serverless query engine – this component is responsible for analyzing the streamed and consumed data to provide value regarding the analytics tool. For example, Kafka Connect is useful in streaming topics directly into Elastic search, creating the correct data types automatically through mappings.
2. Streaming data storage – the advent of low-cost storage technologies has occasioned many organizations to commence the process of storing their streaming event data in Kafka, as demonstrated by figure 4 in the data lake storage.

Figure 4. Modern streaming architecture

Outlining the Types of Problems Apache Solves for the Enterprise

1. The implementation of modular architecture in Apache offers it the capacity to resolve the problem of shifting the dominant requirements and environments of a business. When undertaking a technological transformation in a business, a flexible and scalable architecture will give room for impacting new workflows.
2. The use of Apache brings about a better user experience associated with shifting the application to the mobile platform. Therefore, the shift to a mobile-based platform is easily aided by web-based architecture, leading to increased productivity coupled with a timely decision-making process.
3. Apache gives room for the input of solid defense systems, which are associated with solving the challenging security issues on the web. For example, there are embedded application vulnerability tests whose capabilities go beyond the act of recognizing loopholes in the system.
4. With the emergence of big data, it has become essential for an enterprise application to utilize curating, organizing, and centralizing data projects in Hadoop platforms.
5. The changing technology has necessitated the introduction of Artificial Intelligence through the usability of highly adapted enterprise applications and Software as a Service (SaaS). Indeed, Apache functions in line with the system requirements of the Internet of Things (IoT) and micro services.
6. The implementation of web-based applications has resolved interoperability standards by offering a platform where various applications can be lined smartly. For example, it is possible to connect the functions of both Leave Management and Payroll Systems.

How the Apache is Deployed and Set up for the Client and Server-Side

Apache is deployed and set up by communicating over networks from client to server-side through TCP/IP protocol. The frequently used protocol is HyperText Transfer Protocol-Secure (HTTP/S) to define how messages are formatted and further conveyed across the web. In particular, the protocol defines specific commands for both the client and server regarding how best to respond to requests. Therefore, HyperText Protocol Secure usually occurs across port 443 while the unsecured port happens across port 80. Besides, the Apache server set-up is aided by the configuration files, where all the applied modules help control the server’s behavior. Indeed, Apache listens to the configured IP addresses inside the requested configuration files. Apache can successfullyconsent to precise route trafficswhile being linked to particular address ports.Since the Apache Listen directive runs automatically on port 80, it can be changed to run on different ports per the hosting of many domains. Apache returns acknowledgment notices (ACK) to the original sender when their messages in the form of data have successfully reached destinations. In case of an encountered error, while receiving data, the protocol returns Not Acknowledged notices (NAK), thus confirming the need for retransmission.

Defining Common Operating Processes, Procedures, and Trends for Managing Apache in a Large-Scale Enterprise Network

With the introduction of Apache Hadoop as an open-source software platform, it has now become easy to manage the storage and processing of large-scale enterprise networks. Therefore, Apache Hadoop comprises the following operating processes as its functional modules.

1. Hadoop typical – It is a library of utilities relevant for the operating functions of a Hadoop.
2. Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) – the distributed file system stores data by providing a high aggregate bandwidth over a network cluster
3. Hadoop YARN – It is a resource-management platform associated with the computation of clusters. It helps schedule diverse applications from the users.
4. Hadoop MapReduce – It is an operational process for programming large-scale enterprise networks.

Fundamentally, there are two primary components of Apache Hadoop: HDFS and MapReduce parallel processing frameworks. All these open source projects are developed under the inspiration of technologies created inside Google.

Figure 5. The high-level architecture of Apache web-application

            The implementation of the web-based application is a precursor for supporting future growth in the IT industry due to its increased demand, interoperability, and improved reliability necessities. With web-based application making use of object-oriented programming in its architecture, the definition of all the attached functions is as follow.

1. The delivery of consistent data via HTTP on the client-side code
2. Ensuring that requests contain the most valid data.
3. Offering complete authentication to users.
4. Limiting the access of users concerning view-based permissions.
5. Creating, updating, and deleting records.

Apart from that, the web-based application has undergone tremendous evolution as much as technology does. The use and creation of service-oriented architecture in Apache is considered one of the emerging trends that make web-based applications a service platform. For example, the existence of each HTTP API has occasioned one facet of codes to procure requests from another part of the code even though they run on different servers. Additionally, a single-page application is regarded as an emerging trend in web-based application architecture. The web is seen as User Interface throughout the application of rich JavaScript. The single-page application stays in the browsers of the user while conducting various interactions. Consequently, the user experiences a more natural appeal coupled with a reduced number of page load interruptions.

Security Concerns for Apache and How IT Managers Ensure Secure Operation

1. Injection – IT managers would need to control and vet each user input for possible attack arrays.
2. Broken authentication – IT managers would execute multi-factor authentication, thus preventing automated and credentialing cases coupled with credential attacks.
3. Sensitive exposure of data –IT managers would need to take stock, scale down, and further lock up sensitive data.
4. Broken access control – IT managers would apply server-less API relevant for discouraging attackers from modifying the access control check.
5. Security misconfiguration – IT managers would employ a comprehensive security configuration tool feature that constantly monitors, resolves, normalizes, and reports cases of misconfigurations.
6. Cross-site scripting – IT managers would need to hide“prevent XSS”susceptibilities from showing in an application, and this can be done by escaping the user input.

Common Web-Based Application and Infrastructure Failures that Impact the IT Industry

DNS Issues and Network Connectivity. With instances of failed network connectivity and inefficient firewall, there would be faulty DNS queries. DNS problems coming from improper network protection cause errors 404s coupled withinappropriate pathways, which preclude visitors from reaching their destined websites. However, this problem is amicably resolved by employing DNS observingsafeguards.

Slow Servers and Loading Time. Hosting the websites under a slow server would negatively impact the general process of analyzing tools in Apache. Therefore, this issue can be resolved by co-hosting the webs under shared accounts, which are relatively fast.

Poorly Written Code. The common problem associated with the performance of a web application is the experience of poorly written code. Such a problem of inefficient codes occasions memory leaks and inappropriate synchronization, thus leading to deadlock application. Besides, this issue could be resolved by applying optimal coding practices like the use of profilers and code reviews.

Lack of Load Balancing. Web-based applications might be trailed withsluggish response times, which originate entirely from poor data load spreading. Therefore, new visitors are erroneously allotted in the server, leading to drown out server capacity.Nonetheless, the implementation of tools like NeoLoad and AppPerfect would help pinpoint the weaknesses in the architecture infrastructure, leading to high scalability.

Traffic Spikes. The execution of a web-based application like Apache is faced with numerous spikes resulting from promotional videos. Such marketing videos take up extra traffic, thus causing the servers to slow down. As a result, the performance of the whole IT industry might be hindered, leading to the reduced popularity of Apache among its implementers. Nonetheless, the whole traffic spike can be resolved by setting an early warning system that feigns usercontrollike NeoSense. 

Duplication of Specific HTML Title Tags. The use of the web-based application is associated with duplication of specific HTML title tags, causing sites to lose traffic visibility. For example, many web developers assign similar HTML title tags, occasioning the search engines to consider such websites duplicates of the other activity. Besides, one may resolve the issue by cross-checking their title tags on Google Search Console for duplications or errors.

Failure of Optimizing Bandwidth Usage. Since most developers entirely depend on local networks while testing their websites, the process of adding videos, visual, audio, or other high-volume data activities might impact the performance of the IT industry negatively. Therefore, developers need to optimize the usage of the bandwidth to conduct a performance boost. Likewise, they need to impact a modification of JavaScript to compress and optimize server-side HTTP based on the desired resolution and size of the images.

Describing the Alternative System from Competitors based on Strengths and Weaknesses

Apache vs. NGINX. With Apache using thread-based structure, their heavy traffics are encountered that impact performance problem. However, NGINX addresses the c10k issue. Also, NGINX possesses an event-based architecture that does not create a new process for each request as much as Apache does. Instead, NGINX conducts each incoming request in a solo thread. As much as Apache is reliably secure, it does not manage high traffic more effectively than NGINX. Thus, Apache is more suitable for medium and small businesses since it is more easily configured than NGINX due to its numerous modular architecture and beginner-friendly capability.

Apache vs. Tomcat. Tomcat is explicitly meant for Java apps, and Apache is usually purposed for an HTTP server. Therefore, Apache is cross-platform, which can be subject to other programming languages like Perl, PHP, and Python. Tomcat is less efficient for serving static webs as compared to Apache. For instance, Tomcat usually pre-loads the unnecessary java Virtual Machine on websites. Consequently, Apache is more configurable than Tomcat because one might utilize a general-objective HTTP server when running WordPress.

Future Expected Projects as Web-Based Application Evolves

With the designation of Apache HTTP web-server to serve only static web pages, the recent introduction of Apache Tomcat has evolved the infrastructure and attached module components of this product architecture. As a result, Tomcat is adapted to serve java applications, even though there are instances of reduced efficiency. Therefore, software developers are responsible for developing highly adapted types of Apache web-server while focusing centrally on upgrading its efficiency during the configuration phase. In brief, developers need to design web-based applications with the required traffic to avoid cases of increasing scalability.

Works Cited

Jugo, Igor et al. “Analysis and Evaluation of Web Application Performance Enhancement Techniques.” 14th International Conference on Web Engineering at Toulouse, France, 2014, pp. 1-43. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-08245-5_3

Sarhan, Qusay, and Idrees S. Gawdan. “Web Applications and Web Services: A Comparative Study.” Science Journal of the University of Zakho, vol. 6, no. 1, 2018, pp. 1-66. doi:10.25271/2018.6.1.375