Difference between web server, application server and database server

apache web-applications webserver web-hosting htdocs
OneMoreError picture OneMoreError · Oct 24, 2012 · Viewed 89.6k times · Source

I read somewhere that a web application consists of a web server, application server and a database server. What is the difference between these three ?

I asked this question because I remember when I hosted a website, all I had was a https login to the control panel of the website, in which I put all my files in htdocs folder. There were no three separate things like the web server, application server and the database server.

Answer

Parag Meshram picture Parag Meshram · Oct 24, 2012

Web Server -

Server on which your website is hosted. This server will have installed web servers such as IIS, apache, etc.

Application Server -

Server on which your created applications which are utilizing your database, web service, etc. This application server will host business layer (wrapped with web services), scheduled jobs, windows services, etc.

Database Server -

Database server will have your one or more database hosted such as Oracle, Sql Server, MySql, etc.

If you are referring to htdocs then it is a Web Server. The database you are using is must be installed on different server which is your Database server. Application server can also be installed on the same web server machine.

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Reference - Deployment Patterns

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