Division of Information Technology Web Publishing @ SFSU Servers
What is a WWW Server?	A WWW server is a program that runs 24hrs/day delivering files to requestors. Each WWW server is customized using a configuration file. Each server has specific directions for editing the configuration file. The following list of configuration options is a composite of the different servers I have worked with. Not every server h as every option.
WWW server ?	Each WWW server on the Internet has its own name. The names often follow the www.organization.domain convention. Where organization is substituted by the organization's name or initials, and domain is determined by the type of organization (edu, com, org, net, etc...). Sub-units within the organization can add an extra item between the www. and the organization's name. Examples include www.sfsu.edu, www.journalism.sfsu.edu.
WWW files top level location?	The WWW Server program needs to be told where the documents to be served are located.
Access/Error log?	Most servers can keep a log of every transaction, be it successful or unsuccessful. These logs can be examined to determine recurring problems and to monitor server usage. In the configuation file you record where the log is to stored and what it is to be called.
Access Permissions?	Some servers provide a way to control who can access the documents. Accounts can be generated and group access lists can be created.
Name of directory for users WWW pages?	Some servers permit users with accounts to create WWW documents. On those servers a name, such as public_html, is defined as the specific name of the directory that users can create to publish their web Pages.
Default document name?	Most servers have a specific default document name, such as Welcome.html, that when placed in a specified directory, will be delivered when a URL request is made without a document reference. Our servers permit the following default document names to be used: index.html, welcome.html, welcome.htm, Welcome.html, index.htm, or Index.html.
Maximum number of connections?	Often you can limit the number of simultaneous users.
For More Information	ServerWatch Yahoo's Server Resources.

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Last modified May 14, 2002 by the Web Team