For multiple IoT (Internet of Things) applications, the most essential thing is to embed a WebSocket / HTTP server on the device. This thing makes the job complete. However, many times, this step becomes more affordable, simpler and faster. To do so, it is vital for one to choose the right web server which is certainly a difficult task. Therefore, here we are going to discuss only a few essential factors to consider when choosing a web server library.
What Is The Need For Web Server
To know what a web server is, first you should understand if a web-embedded server can prove to be the right alternative to create a complete IoT infrastructure? Well, it is entirely dependent on the factor that what you want to achieve from it.
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So, a web server performs a variety of tasks like serving the web GUI over devices, RPC, implementation of RESTful services, managing telemetry data sharing with other functionalities and WebSocket asynchronous communication. To perform these tasks, it has to be plugged in and played for the developers. It does this job by using existing code as well as including more code lines to integrate it over the existing products.
The web server can resolve the demand for remote access from users by making the dashboard server. It enables predictive maintenance and also monitors over one to numerous levels via RESTful API server app and provides server-side and real-time data push via WebSocket functionality.
Hence, for several apps, the embedded server works brilliantly from both financial as well as development complexity sides.
Selecting A Right Web Server Library
So, in the market, you will find numerous solutions at ease. On Wikipedia only, you can find more than 30 solutions and can make comparisons. So, it is one step and now, you should check for the web servers which possess all the required technical capabilities. After checking that, measure up these capabilities with the following mentioned decision-making aspects.
- Consider Size – While selecting the right web server library, it is mandatory to consider the size of the solution you are thinking to switch in. It is because here you will integrate your current solution and hence, you need more lightweight and compact solution that would give more space for a manoeuvre.
- Security Aspect – The solution you plan to use should have SSL/TLS and also have an effective authentication mechanism, especially if its units have to be accessed remotely.
- Maturity & Stability – Choose a solution that your associates or other team members can trust on and should be there around for a time being. For this purpose, check out various communities like GitHub and see the range of projects getting updated to.
- Platform agnostic – Go with a solution which should be platform agnostic. It is because if in present or in future, you feel a need to move and develop eCos, Windows, Linus/Unix, macOS or others things to take into the space of application with Android or iPhone. The selected solution will allow you to do so.
- Modesty – Go with a web server library which is easily integrated by simply pasting code and adding a few code lines. Selecting a vendor should turn things easier for you.
- Transparency – Transparency is important to choosing the right web server library. So, check the clarity while searching out an embedding API. Logically, the source has to be written in a single file as it makes embedding easier.
- Licensing – Check out for the clear and accurate pricing that should suit your requirements. Therefore, it is wise, to begin with, an open-source product as it allows you to test for free and when you feel prepared, you can move for a commercial license of the product. The commercial license here shows that the product is fully updated and maintained on a regular run and there is an active company behind it. Hence, it increases the reliability of the product. Practically, you should go with a vendor who knows the worth of the project size while suggesting price as he considers if you use the solution for a single product or a complete product line or others.
- Support – You should go for a solution that should be straightforward and simple. Therefore, practically you would not require any sort of support. However, if you are on the first generation of your product, the support structure becomes quite comforting and ensures a smooth movement of the project forward.
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These are a few important aspects that you should keep in mind while selecting a web server library for your embedded application or project.
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