Phusion Passenger
Encyclopedia
Phusion Passenger is a module for the Apache HTTP Server
and nginx
for deployment of Ruby
applications, including those built using the Ruby on Rails
framework. It is available as a Gem package
and is supported on Unix-like
operating systems. Phusion Passenger also supports arbitrary Ruby web applications that follow the Rack
interface.
At this time, Phusion Passenger is the preferred way to deploy Ruby on Rails applications, having been recommended by the Ruby on Rails authors. The Rails Hosting 2009 Survey concluded that Phusion Passenger is the most popular way to deploy Rails applications. The Chief Evangelist of Planet Argon, the company who conducted the survey, speaks favorably of Phusion Passenger and highly recommends it in production environments. The survey's conclusion is also supported by data from sites such as The Ruby Toolbox.
In combination with Ruby Enterprise Edition, Phusion Passenger claims that it is capable of reducing Rails's memory consumption by 33% as well as increasing its performance. This claim has been verified by Shopify
.
Version 2.0 of Passenger added WSGI support, allowing it to also serve Python
applications.
A standalone version of Passenger exists, that can be used to run multiple Ruby versions in the same webserver.
Apache HTTP Server
The Apache HTTP Server, commonly referred to as Apache , is web server software notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web. In 2009 it became the first web server software to surpass the 100 million website milestone...
and nginx
Nginx
nginx is a Web server and a reverse proxy server for HTTP, SMTP, POP3 and IMAP protocols, with a strong focus on high concurrency, performance and low memory usage. It is licensed under a BSD-like license and it runs on Unix, Linux, BSD variants, Mac OS X, Solaris, and Microsoft Windows.- Overview...
for deployment of Ruby
Ruby (programming language)
Ruby is a dynamic, reflective, general-purpose object-oriented programming language that combines syntax inspired by Perl with Smalltalk-like features. Ruby originated in Japan during the mid-1990s and was first developed and designed by Yukihiro "Matz" Matsumoto...
applications, including those built using the Ruby on Rails
Ruby on Rails
Ruby on Rails, often shortened to Rails or RoR, is an open source web application framework for the Ruby programming language.-History:...
framework. It is available as a Gem package
RubyGems
RubyGems is a package manager for the Ruby programming language that provides a standard format for distributing Ruby programs and libraries , a tool designed to easily manage the installation of gems, and a server for distributing them. It is analogous to EasyInstall for the Python programming...
and is supported on Unix-like
Unix-like
A Unix-like operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the Single UNIX Specification....
operating systems. Phusion Passenger also supports arbitrary Ruby web applications that follow the Rack
Rack (web server interface)
Rack provides a minimal, modular and adaptable interface for developing web applications in Ruby. By wrapping HTTP requests and responses in the simplest way possible, it unifies and distills the API for web servers, web frameworks, and software in between into a single method call.Rack is...
interface.
At this time, Phusion Passenger is the preferred way to deploy Ruby on Rails applications, having been recommended by the Ruby on Rails authors. The Rails Hosting 2009 Survey concluded that Phusion Passenger is the most popular way to deploy Rails applications. The Chief Evangelist of Planet Argon, the company who conducted the survey, speaks favorably of Phusion Passenger and highly recommends it in production environments. The survey's conclusion is also supported by data from sites such as The Ruby Toolbox.
In combination with Ruby Enterprise Edition, Phusion Passenger claims that it is capable of reducing Rails's memory consumption by 33% as well as increasing its performance. This claim has been verified by Shopify
Shopify
Shopify is an e-commerce platform that allows individuals and businesses to create online stores. The platform currently hosts over 16,000 online retailers, including stores for Angry Birds, Foo Fighters, Tori Amos, General Electric, Tata Group, Tesla Motors, Amnesty International, DODOcase,...
.
Version 2.0 of Passenger added WSGI support, allowing it to also serve Python
Python (programming language)
Python is a general-purpose, high-level programming language whose design philosophy emphasizes code readability. Python claims to "[combine] remarkable power with very clear syntax", and its standard library is large and comprehensive...
applications.
A standalone version of Passenger exists, that can be used to run multiple Ruby versions in the same webserver.