title: Is IIS a web server or an application server?
body: <p>Is IIS a web server or an application server?</p>
  
  <p>Or is it both?</p>
  
  <p>What is the difference between (or similarity between) Web and Application servers in .Net?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks!</p>
  
  <p><strong>Update:</strong> On further investigation, concluded the following: 
  It all depends on the <strong><em>protocol</em></strong> used for 'serving'</p>
  
  <p>Web server: Only HTTP, and App server: any, including HTTP.</p>
  
  <p>Not sure if IIS has other protocols that deviate much from HTTP, (and if it doesnt,) maybe in a stricter sense, <strong><em>is only a Web Server</em></strong>! (<a href="http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc268242.aspx">http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc268242.aspx</a>)</p>
  
  <p>Application servers, by definition, should be able to serve (any) 'application'; not just browsers. (web services being a problematic area in this context)</p>
  
  <p>Correct the above if wrong... thanks again.</p>