Application servers extend the ability of a Web server to handle
Web application requests, typically using Java technology. An application
server makes it possible for a server to generate a dynamic, customized
response to a client request.
For example, given:
- A user at a Web browser on the Internet visits a company Web site. The
user requests to use an application that provides access to data in a database.
- The user request flows to the Web server.
- The Web server determines that the request involves an application containing
resources not handled directly by the Web server (such as servlets). It forwards
the request to WebSphere Application Server.
- WebSphere Application Server forwards the request to one of its application
servers on which the application is running.
- The invoked application then processes the user request. For example:
- An application servlet prepares the user request for processing by an
enterprise bean that performs the database access.
- The application produces a dynamic Web page containing the results of
the user query.
- The application server collaborates with the Web server to return the
results to the user at the Web browser.
WebSphere Application Server provides
multiple application servers that can be either separately configured processes
or nearly identical clones.