HTTP Web Servers for APEX

The HTTP server used for APEX can be one of these flavors:

• An Oracle XML DB HTTP server
• An Oracle HTTP Server (OHS) from the database companion CD
• An Oracle HTTP Server (OHS) from the Oracle Application Server 10g

The Oracle XML DB HTTP server

This HTTP server is running in the database. It was introduced with Oracle XML DB in Oracle 9i R2 and uses the Embedded PL/SQL Gateway (EPG) to talk to the database. The special version of APEX used in the free Oracle database - Oracle Express Edition, uses this HTTP server. Currently it is not supported for any other database versions, but it will be supported for release 11 of the database.

The Oracle HTTP Server (OHS) from the database companion CD

This OHS is based on an Apache 1.3.x HTTP server and uses the mod_plsql module to communicate with the database. Apache 1.3 is an old but stable version that will not be enhanced anymore, except with security patches.

The Oracle HTTP Server (OHS) from the Oracle Application Server 10g

This OHS is based on an Apache 1.3.x HTTP server and as far as I know it is identical to the OHS from the database companion CD.

Which HTTP Server to Use?

When version 11 of the database is released we will have 2 HTTP servers to choose from. From a security perspective, I would choose an OHS. The reason being it is a popular Web server of proven quality, while the XML DB HTTP server is an unproven creature.

On the Oracle Application Server companion CD is an OHS based on an Apache 2.0.x HTTP server. This release does not contain the mod_plsql module and can therefore not be used for APEX.


Author: PeterLorenzen - 27 Apr 2007

Comments

• Mark you are right. Sorry for the confusion. I will change the text. -- PeterLorenzen - 19 May 2007 19 May 2007 - 10:21
• Apache 2.0 does not support mod_plsql. Please correct if wrong. -- MarkSullivan - 18 May 2007 18 May 2007 - 14:15