SwitchPipe is a proof of concept "Web application server" developed in Ruby. More accurately, it's a Web application process manager and request dispatcher / proxy. Backend HTTP-speaking applications (Web applications) do not run directly within SwitchPipe, but are loaded into their own processes making SwitchPipe language and framework agnostic.

SwitchPipe takes control of, and manages, the backend application processes, including loading and proxying to multiple instances of each application in a round-robin style configuration. As an administrator, you can define the maximum number of backend processes to run for each app, along with other settings so that you do not exceeded preferred resource limits. SwitchPipe quickly removes processes that "break" or otherwise outlive their welcome. For example, you can let SwitchPipe kill any backend processes that have not been accessed for, say, 20 seconds. This makes hosting many multiple Rails applications, for example, a quick and non-memory demanding process, ideal for shared hosting environments.

SwitchPipe proxies incoming HTTP requests at the TCP level, using information extracted from the HTTP request and headers to work out which backend application is required to handle the request.

SwitchPipe's goal is to be:

  * super easy to configure
  * the easiest way to deploy multiple HTTP-talking backend applications
  * painless in terms of management; no hand-holding of different applications is needed
  * a permanent daemon that can handle configuration changes in backend apps "on the fly"
  * a reliable solution on Linux, OS X and Solaris (and anything POSIX compatible, technically)

Not Convinced?

Let's get down to brass tacks. With SwitchPipe you don't have to worry about assigning ports, managing clusters, or caring after 101 different daemon processes on your machine. Resources are only used when they need to be, concurrency is automatic, and SwitchPipe is language and framework agnostic. It makes YOUR life easier, at the price of a little latency and overhead for your server and Web clients. Give it a go!