portal server vs application server

[azhar bharat]

What is difference between application server and portal server?

[Jimmy Ho]

With WebSphere Portal, the portal server runs on top of the application server.

So for example, you would normally install WebSphere Application Server first. Then you would install WebSphere Portal on top of it.

In fact, you can view Portal as a giant 2-gig web app/EAR file running on the app server.

[Cameron Wallace McKenzie]

An Application Server provides a Servlet and JSP engine, not to mention a potential EJB container.

A portal server extends the application server by providing a container that can run Portlets, which currently are at the JSR168 standard, although JSR 286 is coming along soon.

-Cameron McKenzie
[ September 09, 2008: Message edited by: Cameron Wallace McKenzie ]

[azhar bharat]

Actually I was looking something more descriptive.
like an example of a portlet.

[Cameron Wallace McKenzie]

Here's a multimedia tutorial on using a portal server:

What is a portal???

Even a super-portal, like excite gives you a good idea of what portlets working together looks like.

-Cameron McKenzie

[azhar bharat]

thanks for the reply

Cameron McKenzie :
I just read your message, but havnt gone through the tutorial link before posting this message.

So, let us take the excite portal as an example. Say I want to create a portal like excite.
Isnt it possible to achieve this using application server alone?

[Cameron Wallace McKenzie]

<smart-a$$ reply coming>

Why do you even need an application server?

You could just build your own application server from the Java APIs and do your own IO and networking.

In fact, why use the Java APIs? Why not write your own programming language, create compilers for every platform in existence, and then write your own application server using your own language. Then, you could build your own portal sever, using your own application server, written using your own APIs, from the new and awesome programming laguage you just invented.

</smart-a$$ reply>

Yeah, you're right. In fact, my website, www.scja.com, has a bit of a portal look to it. Alot of people ask me what portal server I'm using, but I don't, I just use tomcat and arrange content in portlet like views.

It's like Struts or JSF. Why use them? You can do all that stuff on your own. But, why do something on your own, when someone else has done it, and probably done it better than you or I could?

Portal is just a technology that simplifies the aggregation of vast amounts of disperate data into a single, easy to manage website. It also facilitates personalization and customization of the user experience.

If you can do that on your own, without a portal, then there's no need for a portal. If the portal can cut down your costs, and speed your application to market, then it's the right choice.

-Cameron McKenzie
[ September 09, 2008: Message edited by: Cameron Wallace McKenzie ]

[azhar bharat]

got the idea. thanks

[Abdul Mohsin]

Thanks everyone , very informative.

[Srinivasababu Peddireddy]

portal server is a WebServer+ApplicationServer = Portal server