Français
ESIGate is an open‑source software of the reverse proxy and web‑application integrator type, designed to dynamically assemble HTML fragments originating from different systems. It is mainly used to create unified portals, optimise performance via block caching (Edge Side Includes, ESI), and facilitate the composition of homogeneous interfaces across several heterogeneous back‑ends.
In this review we will analyse its features, use‑cases, installation, and a comparison with available alternatives.
What problems does ESIGate solve?
Main challenges of modern web architectures
Organizations often use multiple web systems: CMS, ERP, CRM, micro‑services, etc. These tools must coexist within a coherent interface, which raises several challenges:
avoid duplication of code and templates;
maintain visual consistency across different technologies;
improve performance through fragment caching;
reduce coupling between back‑ends;
- limit integration costs.
ESIGate addresses these issues by enabling:
Dynamic inclusion of web content via
esi:includetags ;Caching of HTML blocks;
- Centralised design through shared templates;
Interoperability between different technologies (Java, PHP, .NET, …);
- and provides a reliable foundation for building open‑source services integrated into complex web architectures.
Core features and capabilities
| Domain | Main features | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Web integration | Inclusion of fragments via esi:include, HTML page merging | Fonction cœur du projet |
| Performance & cache | Granular block cache, HTTP header handling, invalidation | Reduces render time |
| Shared templates | Applying remote themes to uniform rendering | Ideal for enterprise portals |
| Interoperability | Multi‑technology support (Java, PHP, .NET, …) | Flexible for hybrid environments |
| Extensibility | Custom filter and provider system | Modular |
| Security | Host whitelist, fragment verification, CVE‑2018‑1000854 patch | Watch out for ESI injection |
How to install and configure ESIGate
Download the latest stable release from the official repository: : github.com/esigate.
Deploy the
.warfile on an application server (Tomcat, JBoss, Jetty).Configure the
esigate.propertiesandproviders.xmlfiles to define back‑ends and inclusion rules.Enable the cache and adjust validity durations (
max-age,Surrogate-Control).Test fragment inclusion and HTTP header consistency.
Monitor the logs and regularly update to fix known vulnerabilities.
Use‑cases for ESIGate
Enterprise portal combining a CMS (Drupal) with internal services.
Government sites unifying several applications under the same graphic charter.
E‑commerce platforms merging catalogue, blog, and customer area into a single interface.
- Modular intranets where each department manages its own application but shares the same front‑end.
ESIGate is appreciated within the open‑source community, as it reduces integration costs while promoting module autonomy.
Comparison with alternatives
| Feature / Criteria | ESIGate | Varnish + ESI (Custom) | Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open source | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Cache granularity | ✅ HTML block | ✅ HTML block | ✅ Advanced |
| Shared templates | ✅ Yes | ❌ Not native | ✅ Yes |
| Interoperability | ✅ Multi-langauge | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ Broad |
| License cost | 💰 Free | 💰 Free | 💰💰 Very high |
| Support & community | ⚙️ Active but limited | ⚙️ Variable | 🧰 Professional |
| Sécurity | ⚠️ Requires vigilance | ⚠️ Depends on configuration | ✅ Controlled |
| Installation complexity | ⚙️ Medium | ⚙️ High | ⚙️ Medium |
| Project sustainability | 🟢 Stable | ⚪ Dépends on setup | Strongly backed |
Advantages and disadvantages
| Category | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| License & cost | ✅ Completely free and based on an open source license | ❌ No guaranteed commercial support |
| Performance | ✅ Optimises rendering through fragment caching | ❌ Advanced configuration needed for large sites |
| Interoperability | ✅ Works with many back‑ends (Java, PHP, .NET) | ❌ Requires solid knowledge of mixed environments |
| Flexibility | ✅ Highly customisable via filters and plugins | ❌ Limited public documentation |
| Design & visual consistency | ✅ Shared templates across modules | ❌ Steeper learning curve for beginners |
| Security | ✅ Patches available for known vulnerabilities | ❌ Risk of ESI injection if mis‑configured |
| Community | ✅ Stable project backed by the open‑source community | ❌ Smaller community than commercial solutions |
| Technical support | ✅ Technical support available via forums and partners | ❌ Limited compared to commercial offerings |
Conclusion
ESIGate remains a robust and relevant solution for developers and administrators seeking to unify multiple web systems without a full rebuild. It offers a flexible, high‑performance, and cost‑free approach, provided the necessary technical expertise for deployment and security hardening is available.
For organisations with experienced teams, ESIGate represents an excellent compromise between flexibility, performance, and zero cost.
For those demanding premium technical support or a complete administrative UI, a commercial alternative such as AEM may be considered.
