Web
 | Web: Web Server Module |
|---|---|
| Version | 4.2 |
| Type | Community |
| Parent Doc | ClarkConnect 4.2 Administration Manual |
| Next Article | Reports |
| Previous Article | Entertainment |
Web Server
Overview
| Web Server | Information |
|---|---|
| Description | A powerful and popular web server. |
| Package Name | cc-httpd |
| Configuration Page | Software » Web » Web Server |
ClarkConnect includes the Apache web server – the same software that powers many of the world's largest websites.
Installation
If you did not select this module to be included during the installation process, you must first install the module.
Configuration
General
Global
The basic set-up of the Apache web server is installed by default. In the main configuration, you need to specify two items:
Server Name
The server name is a valid name (for example, www.example.com) for your web server. This name is used on some infrequently used error pages, so it is not all that important.
SSL-Enabled - Secure Site
The web server comes with built-in SSL encryption for enhanced security. If your website requires a username and password for login, then it is a good idea to use encryption. For instance, if you have the webmail or groupware solution installed, you should access their respective login pages via the secure web server. In your web browser, you should use the encrypted https://your.domain.com instead of the un-encrypted http://your.domain.com (https vs http). When enabled, all communication between the web server and user's web browser is encrypted using a 128-bit security key.
| SSL encryption requires a web site certificate. ClarkConnect automatically generates a default certificate that is 100% secure. However, this certificate is not verified by one of the web site certificate authorities (it costs at least $100 per year to maintain a verified web site certificate). Your users will see the following warning (or similar) when connecting to the secure web server. |
Allow FTP Upload
Enables an administrator/user to upload or change content on the website via FTP. By default, the FTP uses a non-standard port of 2121. A user must be created on the server with FTP access in order to provide authentication credentials to login to the FTP server. Any user belonging to the group configured in the Group Access setting will have read/write access to the website directory.
You must use an FTP client (rather than a browser) if you would like to upload files to the server.
Allow File Server Access
Enables an administrator/user on the LAN (or remotely via VPN) to upload or change content on the website via file shares (Samba). To access the share using a Windows client on the LAN, goto “Start My Computer” and enter:
\\SERVERNAME\DOMAINNAME
Where:
- SERVERNAME = your server's hostname (i.e. webserver.lan)
- DOMAINNAME = your website's domain name (i.e. mywebsite.com)
Any user belonging to the group configured in the Group Access setting will have read/write access to the website directory.
Group Access Select a group which will be used to grant access to users who should have access to make modifications (uploads) to the website. If no groups have been created on your server, you will have to add one first before configuring either FTP or file server based access.
Virtual Hosts
The web server includes support for “virtual hosts”. This means your web server can be used for hosting more than one web site.
Adding Static Content to Your Site
Text Editor
Not the most efficient means, but certainly possible. Use your favorite text editor and start typing away!
Example:
# vi /var/www/html/index.html
And add:
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <title>My First Web Page</title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> </head> <body> <p align="center">Hello World</p> </body> </html>
Web Design Applications
There are a number of products (free and commercial) to design your own webpages. See the links below for
Adding Dynamic Content to Your Site
There are many options for adding dynamic content to a website:
- CGI
- PHP
- JSP
- ASP
The set-up and configuration of these engines are beyond the scope of this help document. PHP, however, is available as a module. Installing the PHP Module.
Flexshares and your Web Server
ClarkConnect's Flexshare feature is a convenient way to add and configure more advanced web server functionality like user-authenticated logins to the LDAP service, file indexing etc.
| Flexshares are only available in ClarkConnect 4.0 Editions and above. |
Troubleshooting
ISP Blocking
Some ISPs are known to block web (port 80) traffic to residential broadband connections in an attempt to cut down on illegal sites hosted on their network. If you think your configuration is set-up correctly and you suspect your ISP is blocking HTTP traffic, try a port scan.
Firewall Rules
A web server listens to client requests coming in on port 80 (HTTP) or 443 (HTTPS/secure). Did you remember to open the correct port(s)?
Unable to Gain FTP or File Share Access - Access Denied
If you have just created a user and/or group, try stopping and restarting the FTP and/or file service, depending on which access methods you have configured.
Links
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