News

.NET, Apache link seen as boost to Web services

• By Rich Seeley
• August 7, 2002

Developers can now use Microsoft .NET to build applications linking to the popular Apache Web server, according to San Francisco-based Covalent Technologies Inc., which markets Apache 2.0 as part of its Enterprise Ready Server.

Covalent, which cites surveys indicating that Apache is used in more than 50% of Internet sites, touted compatibility with .NET as creating 'a best-of-breed development and deployment solution for Web services.'

John Jack, Covalent president and CEO, said that while his company is concentrating on the Web server layer, when it came to selecting a Web services development platform, Microsoft is 'a clear leader in this technology segment.'

With this software convergence, developers using Visual Studio .NET, which Microsoft says number in the millions, will be able to link their applications to the Apache server.

Founded in 1998 by the original Apache co-developer Randy Terbush, Covalent sells products and services that support the Apache Web server. It lists Lucent Technologies and Dow Jones among its customers. The Covalent Enterprise Ready Server is based on the Apache 2.0 platform, which according to the company is 'HTTP 1.1-compliant and includes support for distributed authoring and versioning; proxying and caching; IP and named-based virtual hosting; and Java, Perl and PHP applications.'

For more information, go to http://www.covalent.net