Architecture question role of webserver when using jsps/servlets 1

[borntorun]

Guys,

I understand what jsp/servlets do what i am trying to understand is the role of a webserver when you are also using tomcat/weblogic/websphere.

Why do you need a commercial webserver if the majority of the application is written using servlets or jsps?

I also don't understand how the two are communicating: IE is all the html being passed back through the webserver? What does the webserver do when it receives a request for a servlet or a jsp page?

Thanks for helping me.

I have browsed around the internet but not found any links that can help me over this one.

 

[titanandrews]

I think you are confused about Web Servers and App Servers. Tomcat, WebLogic, and WebSphere are all App Servers, not Web Servers. Web Servers manage the connection between the client and the server. App Servers manage applications, i.e. JSPs, Servlets, etc. In most scenarios, the Web Server forwards the request to the App Server, your application processes the request, then the response is sent back to the Web Server and back to the client. I say most because you can use the App Server as the Web Server, but it is not common because Web Servers are designed specifically for handling connections.


Barry