What Is Apache Tomcat Hosting?

What is Apache Tomcat?

Apache Tomcat is free software that runs web applications written in Java. Java is a popular programming language. Tomcat acts like a stage. Your Java app performs on it, and Tomcat shows the result to visitors in a browser.

Tomcat is not the same as the Apache web server. The Apache web server serves normal pages, such as HTML and PHP. Tomcat runs Java parts called servlets and JSP pages. A servlet is a small Java program that answers web requests. JSP is a page that mixes HTML with Java.

What is Tomcat hosting?

It is a hosting service set up with Tomcat and Java ready to use. A normal PHP hosting plan cannot run Java apps. With Tomcat hosting you can upload your app and run it.

Who needs it?

• Developers who write apps in Java.
• Businesses that use software built on Java.
• Anyone with a WAR file. A WAR file is a single package that holds a Java web app.

What you usually get

Features depend on the plan. Typical ideas include:

• A Java version and a Tomcat version already installed.
• A place to upload WAR files.
• A way to start, stop and restart Tomcat.
• Access to logs, to find errors.

Ask Hostvento support what your plan includes. Do not assume every plan offers Tomcat.

How to run an app

1. Build your app as a WAR file.
2. Upload it by SFTP or File Manager to the Tomcat webapps folder.
3. Tomcat unpacks it by itself.
4. Open your site address followed by the app name to test.
5. If it does not start, read the log files for errors.

Warning: Take a backup of your current app before you upload a new version.

Shared or own server?

On a VPS or dedicated server you have root access. Root is the all-powerful admin user. You can install and tune Tomcat as you wish. On shared hosting, your options are more limited, if Tomcat is offered at all.

Quick recap

• Tomcat runs Java web apps.
• Tomcat hosting is hosting made for that job.
• You upload a WAR file and Tomcat runs it.
• Ask Hostvento support what your plan includes.