[plug] web serving alternatives

[James Bromberger]

Sol (sol at autonomon.net) wrote:
> Without wanting to provoke a flamewar about what the best web server scripting 
> or content management solution are best, I had a couple of questions that I 
> don't know where to look for the answers. Perhaps someone can help?
> 
> 1) When it comes to small files (ie:plain HTML) which method of serving is 
> faster: the UNIX filesystem, a database (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc), or 
> something else?

Serving from memory. Mod_mmap in Apache is one example. Other web
sevrers can do this. Or write your own!

> 
> 2) When it comes to large files (ie: mp3's) which method of serving is faster:
> the UNIX filesystem, a database (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc), or something else?

Doesnt matter. Large files atke a long tmie to serve. All methods are
going to be slow. So look for other metrics to compare by.


> 
> 3) Whilst there are many methods of authentication and many considerations 
> when it comes to security, generally speaking, which is faster: the UNIX 
> filesystem, a database (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc), or something else?

How do you authenticate by filesystem? ;)

You're options are:
	Basic Authentication
	SSL Client Certificate Authentication
	Username + Password + Cookie

Pure speed is probably Client Auth, because all data for the
authentication is in memory. I'm assuming you're doing SSL here.

> 4) Are there any major pros and cons when it comes to serving from the UNIX 
> filesystem or a database (MySQL, PostgreSQL, etc)?

filesystem:  is fast.
DB: is dynamic (you can programatically permit or deny access, or
substitute other content, or whatever).
 
> There's lots of material on the web when it comes to comparing different 
> databases, scripting languages and CMS's, but I'm not sure where to find out 
> (how to search for) information comparing fundamental storage and serving of 
> files to the WWW. Any thoughts, links, crude humour appreciated. :P

Some people point to:
	* Put all static content on FS, and put links to it ni the
	  database
	* Store everything in the database (see my personal site for
	  tips on BLOBs)


*shrug*

  James
-- 
 James Bromberger <james_AT_rcpt.to> www.james.rcpt.to
 Remainder moved to http://www.james.rcpt.to/james/sig.html
 The Australian Linux Technical Conference 2003: http://www.linux.conf.au/

I am moving to London on January 27th, arriving London January 28th. 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 189 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.plug.org.au/pipermail/plug/attachments/20021212/63517b96/attachment.pgp>