Application Hosted Servers
The term "application hosted servers" can be a bit ambiguous and might have two interpretations within the context of enterprise architecture:
Web Servers Hosting Applications:
In this context, "application hosted servers" refers to web servers that are specifically configured to host and deliver web applications. These servers typically run software like Apache or Nginx, which are responsible for processing user requests, fetching the relevant application code and resources, and delivering the web application's content to the user's browser.
Key Points:
Web servers act as the entry point for users accessing web applications.
They handle communication between the user's browser and the application code.
While web servers can host basic web applications, more complex applications might rely on additional software like application servers (explained below) for functionalities beyond basic serving.
Servers Hosting Applications in a General Sense:
In a broader sense, "application hosted servers" could simply refer to any server that stores and executes the code for a software application. This could encompass various server types depending on the application's needs:
Web Application Servers: As explained previously, these servers specifically cater to web applications, providing an execution environment, resource management, and security features.
Application Servers for Enterprise Applications: For complex enterprise applications that might not be web-based, application servers can still be used for functionalities like resource management and integration with back-end systems.
Database Servers: These servers store and manage the application's data, allowing the application to access and manipulate it as needed.
Virtual Private Servers (VPS) or Cloud Servers: Applications can be deployed on virtualized servers or cloud-based servers, offering scalability and flexibility in resource allocation.
Understanding the Context:
To accurately understand the meaning of "application hosted servers," it's crucial to consider the context in which the term is used. Here are some additional points to consider:
Focus on Web Applications: If the discussion centers around web development, "application hosted servers" likely refers to web servers hosting web applications.
Enterprise Architecture Context: Within enterprise architecture discussions, "application hosted servers" might encompass a broader range of servers that host and execute various types of applications.
In essence, "application hosted servers" we refer to any server that stores and executes the code for a software application.