LAMP Servers
LAMP Servers
While reading up on your different web hosting options, you may come across the term “LAMP Server”. What exactly is a LAMP server? Unfortunately, it is not a server that can double as a ceiling fixture; rather it is an acronym for “Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP Server”. In short, LAMP describes a software stack that is ideal for Linux-based web hosting servers, and is widely-implemented by many web hosts today.
Did You Know…
To gain a better understanding of this system, let’s break it down into four parts. The first, Linux, does not actually refer to one operating system. Rather, it refers to the Linux family of operating systems, which come in many flavors (or “distributions”). Your web host could be running CentOS, RedHat, or Ubuntu, and still be running a Linux server. Linux, as a web server, is a very secure, lightweight operating system that stresses a high level of customization, features that make it ideal for a web hosting environment. In fact, the majority of web hosting companies utilize Linux servers over Microsoft servers, if only because most versions of Linux are free. That said, a well-configured Linux server is a powerful platform, so don’t hesitate to use it.
Open Sources Opens Doors
The next component, Apache, refers to an open-source web server that most Linux-based web servers utilize. Apache, like most Linux distributions, is free to use and widely-implemented in the web hosting community. Much like its parent operating system, Apache is powerful, easy to use, and very customizable. As an end user, you probably will not interact directly with Apache, but every time your web page is loaded, you’re seeing Apache in action.
Database Servers Sets The Foundation
MySQL, the next aspect of a LAMP server, is a SQL database management system, or simply a database server. MySQL is often the foundation for many dynamic web applications, such as e-commerce sites and blogs, and serves as the primary store of content. Most web hosts allow a somewhat direct access to the MySQL server via a graphical user interface through the control panel, but unless you are a high-level user, you probably will not need to utilize this feature. Instead, many software packages integrate automatically with the database server, eliminating the need for direct access.
PHP, HTML, What About All These Intials?
The final component, PHP, is a programming language used to create dynamic web applications. Many of these applications work directly with MySQL, producing powerful and dynamic content sites. PHP is more flexible than HTML, although a basic understanding of both is crucial to building your own websites and web applications.
It All Sounds Greek, But It’s Really Basic
All-in-all, the LAMP software stack allows administrators to provide a cheap, flexible development and hosting environment to their customers. While an in-depth understanding of each component is unnecessary to take advantage of their capabilities, it is nonetheless helpful for those wishing to develop their own applications or migrate existing applications to a new host. Always be sure to consult with potential web hosts before signing up for their services to ensure a clear understanding of what options are available to you.
Photo by Kevin Dooley
