News

Microsoft Web Server Threatens Open Source Leader

Microsoft's Web server, Internet Information Server (IIS), continues to gain against longtime leader Apache, and could end up surpassing it if current trends continue.

According to the tracking site Netcraft, IIS spike in usage to 34.2 percent in August, while open source Apache dipped to 48.4 percent. That represents a jump of 2.3 million sites for IIS, and a decline of 991,000, Netcraft reported.

IIS first started closing the gap on Apache in late 2005 and early 2006. At that time, Apache had a commanding lead among Web servers, being used on 71 percent, while IIS was at about 20 percent. That lead has now been whittled down to less than 17 percent, and trends are favoring IIS. As Netcraft points out, if IIS continues to gain share at Apache's expense at the current rate, it will pass Apache as the world's dominant Web server "sometime in 2008."

Other Web servers surveyed include those from Sun, lighttpd and Zeus. They have all remained relatively flat, and all are at less than 2 percent.

About the Author

Keith Ward is the editor in chief of Virtualization & Cloud Review. Follow him on Twitter @VirtReviewKeith.

Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.