Web Application vs Site Collection vs Site

SharePoint 2016/2013/2010

UPDATES:

Search Configuration is done at both at Site and Site Collection level

Farm Settings – SPFarm

Max Database 500
Farm Administration
Email Settings

Web Application Settings – SPWebApplication

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc261978(v=office.16).aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc287691.aspx (2010)

NOT RECOMMENDED!!! Shredded Storage can be disabled and re-enabled per Web Application
Recycle Bin: per Web App.  How long items are deleted from user bins and Second Stage recycle bin size.
Maximum Upload Size: per Web Application.
Authentication Provider:  Choose up to 5 zones
Define Managed Paths: per web application only.
Enable Self Service Site Creation: per web application level.
Blocked File Types: per Web Application
List Throttling: per Web Application
Service Application Association
Dedicated Add-in or App Settings
Email Settings

Site Collection – SPSite

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff607925(v=office.16).aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff607786.aspx (2010)
Recycle Bin: Dedicated Recycle Bin for the site collection
Dedicated usage reports: Usage reports work on the site collection level.
Dedicated Administration: Site Collection Administrators
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc263199.aspx#architecture
Search Configuration: Configurable search scopes, keywords and best bets
Galleries: Galleries for libraries, images and styles
Site Quota templates: All sites within a site collection contribute to the quota.
Dedicated Database: Recommended due to improved DR and smallest unit to allow/restore with full fidelity restore
Permissions: Permissions are not inherited from another site
Considered a “Security Boundary”
URL Character Limit 150 (2016 to remove but remains)

Site - SPWeb

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff607925(v=office.16).aspx

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff607786.aspx (2010)
Administration: Needs to be controlled from Site Collection Admin
Site Features: Features particular to your site
MDS:Minimal Download Strategy
Navigation: Inherit navigation from parent site
Permissions: Inherit permissions from Site Collection
Sharing: Share and consume list data from other sites in same site collection
Themes: Themes are site specific
URL Character Limit 255 (2016 to remove but remains)

References

Plan Site/Site Collections – TechNet - 2016

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc263267(v=office.16).aspx

Design Checklists/Worksheets – 2013 or 2010

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc262451.aspx (2013)

http://nikpatel.net/2012/03/11/checklist-for-designing-and-implementing-sharepoint-2010-extranets-things-to-consider/

http://www.sharepointgeoff.com/implementation-checklist/