[Info-vax] Using VMS for a web server

[Jan-Erik Soderholm]

Dirk Munk skrev den 2015-06-03 15:35:
> I've always been in favour of using VMS for a web server. The reason is
> quite simple, VMS is quite save out of the box (now Hoff is going to
> explain to us that other operating systems improved very much, and that
> certain aspects of VMS are not as save any more :-) ), and that it is
> unknown to the script kiddies.
>
> Secure web servers are vitally important for companies and institutions, so
> a save web server can be a selling point.
>
> There are three web server packages for VMS: OSU, WASD and Apache (aka
> Compaq Secure Web Server CSWS, these days HP Secure Web Server but still
> CSWS ?!?). I've worked with CSWS in the past, it seemed the natural choice
> given the popularity of Apache - at least at the time.
>
> I've been reading more on WASD, and more specifically on the performance
> and security aspects. Performance wise, WASD is much better than CSWS, and
> I've read about certain security problems with CSWS (can't find the link
> again I'm afraid). WASD is a 'real' VMS product instead of a Unix/Linux
> product made to run on VMS, like Apache is.
>
> Also, in general the popularity of Apache is dwindling in favour of the
> Microsoft web server. The latter seems to be much faster.
>
> So now I wonder if it wouldn't be better to focus on WASD instead of CSWS
> as the standard web server for VMS. The Australian company VMS Software
> Services Pty and VSI and much more comparable than was the case with Compaq
> or HP.  Together the two might be able to build a set of nice web server
> products for VMS.
>
> As usual, your thoughts please.


Cannot talk about CSWS, but WASD is one of those things that just starts
at boot and you can forget about it until shutdown. Rock solid...
One year uptime in a week.

We use WASD in prod using gSOAP servers and the Python persitent server,
apart from standard fixed HTML files and .COM file CGI scripts.

OSU seems to be lacking features compared with WASD.

Apache is Apache, I guess...

Jan-Erik.