lighttpd

Lighttpd (pronounced "lighty") is a lightweight web server software designed primarily for speed, simplicity, and flexibility. Originally developed for Unix-like operating systems, it has been adapted for Windows environments as well. Here’s an overview of its main features:

• High Performance: Lighttpd is known for its low memory footprint and efficient resource utilization, making it ideal for handling high-traffic websites without consuming excessive server resources.
• FastCGI, SCGI, and CGI Support: It supports multiple protocols for interfacing with applications, including FastCGI, SCGI, and CGI, allowing for efficient communication between the web server and dynamic content generators.
• URL Rewriting: Lighttpd supports powerful URL rewriting capabilities through its mod_rewrite module, enabling users to manipulate URLs and create search engine friendly URLs easily.
• Flexible Virtual Hosting: It allows configuration of multiple virtual hosts (websites) on a single server instance, each with its own settings and behavior, facilitating hosting of multiple domains on a single server.
• IPv6 Support: Lighttpd fully supports IPv6, enabling it to work seamlessly in environments transitioning to the new IP protocol.
• Authentication and Access Control: It provides options for setting up authentication and access control based on various criteria, ensuring secure access to hosted content.
• SSL/TLS Encryption: It supports SSL/TLS encryption, allowing secure HTTPS connections, crucial for protecting sensitive data transmitted over the internet.
• Event-driven Architecture: Lighttpd uses an event-driven architecture, leveraging asynchronous I/O and multi-threading where available to handle concurrent connections efficiently.
• Extensible with Plugins: Lighttpd’s functionality can be extended through various modules and plugins, allowing users to add features such as server-side scripting support, caching, and more.
• Easy Configuration: Its configuration file syntax is straightforward and well-documented, making it relatively easy to configure and customize according to specific requirements.
• Cross-platform: While originally developed for Unix-like systems, efforts have been made to provide compatibility and support for Windows, ensuring its flexibility across different operating environments.

Lighttpd is particularly popular for scenarios where speed and efficiency are critical, such as serving static files, handling high concurrency, or acting as a reverse proxy. Its minimalistic design and focus on performance make it a preferred choice for many developers and system administrators.