Comprehensive Linux Fedora Assignment: Web Servers, Databases, and PHP

This assignment delves into the intricacies of web server technologies within a Linux Fedora environment. It begins by contrasting Apache (httpd) and Nginx, evaluating their functionalities and performance characteristics, including aspects of security, flexibility, and handling of static versus dynamic content. The assignment then transitions to a comparison of MariaDB and MySQL database management systems, examining their features, security measures, and methods of interaction for data storage. Finally, it addresses the installation process of PHP, its role in web server functionality, and common security vulnerabilities associated with fresh installations. The content is structured to provide a comprehensive understanding of these core web development components, offering insights into their practical applications and comparative advantages.

LINUX (Fedora)
QUESTION 1
Apache (httpd)
Apache is the server in LAMP stack. LAMP still remain the most popular stack even though there is
so many web stack available in the market nowadays. It contains many sets of features which are
available through the installation of about 60 official modules or even unofficial modules which
both exist. Apache can be configured through three main multi-processing modules such as process
model, work model, and event model.
NGINX
NGINX is a web server which was mainly created to handle at least 10,000 clients who connect to a
singer server simultaneously. It employees asynchronous, event-driven architecture to enable it to
control and handle massive amounts of server connections at a go.
Difference between nginx and httpd in terms of functionality and performance
NGINX and Apache (httpd) can be compared in several ways such as:
1) Performance
They both perform in static and dynamic roles. NGINX is the best option in high concurrency levels
in static content since it servers such contents much faster than Apache. NGINX is much faster. In
dynamic content performance, both have similar results in serving dynamic content.
2) Security
They all have smart security track. However, there are few cases of vulnerabilities reported but they
can be solved by configurations of DDoS attacks handling.
3) Flexibility
Apache leads in flexibility as compared to NGINX. Customization by Apache can be done by just
writing the modules since it has dynamic modules which can load for the longest time. However,
NGINX requires an admin to compile binary modules. Apache wins here also.

QUESTION 2
MariaDB vs. MySQL
MariaDB and MySQL are both widely used database management systems. The open source
MySQL is on top of the market because of its features. MariaDB was initial build for the drop into
high open source community standards. MariaDB focus on two main open development system
principles such as the source code of the program parts are made public repositories and all steps
taken in development stages are made public.
 Security
Database management systems should have high-security features since they are used to store
sensitive data and important documents. Both MySQL and MariaDB offers encryptions and
authentications services to the users. In both, they offer encryptions for inactive data(data-at-rest).
MySQL normally implements the data encryptions of data which is already saved in the database
using InnoDB engine since the encryptions of the individual database are tables is not possible.
 How you interact with MariaDB and MySQL once installed to store data
MariaDB and MySQL interactions are always through the use of commands on terminals based on
the operating system you use and also the programming language you are using. Such commands
can be found on the relevant tutorials.
QUESTION 3
Installation of PHP
Installation of PHP is not complex since you have to follow simple procedures. Latest version of
PHP should always be installed since it comes with many new features. Depending on the operating
system you use, you will use the documentations to install and most importantly you have to install
the latest versions.
Web Server
PHP 5.4 or newer comes with built-in server where one can actual learn it. PHP web server can be
started by running the following command in the project's root:
> php -S localhost:8000
Common security issues with fresh installs
There are several security challenges which are faced with fresh installs. Mistakes such as poor
configurations, using outdated versions of PHP, in-validation of users, remote code execution,
among other issues leads to security challenges.