Transcript Setting up a web server via Netfirms

Setting up a web server the easy way
R. Chris Fraley | http://www.web-research-design.net/P593/
How the Net Works
web user
types a
URL into
the browser
web server
web user
the browser
renders the HTML
file as a web page
locates
requested
HTML file and
sends it to
user’s
computer
Web servers
• There are a number of ways to obtain access to a
web server
– Your university or business
– Set up your own using a spare computer
– Use a professional web hosting company
Web servers
• For the purposes of this course, I’m going to
show you how to set up a free account with
Netfirms—a professional web hosting company.
• Why Netfirms?
– They provide free server access with CGI
capabilities
– The “free” part means that they place ads at the top
of your pages, but those ads are not obtrusive like
some other companies (i.e., no pop-ups, not flashy).
– Upgrading is simple and low-cost
– Great tech support
– Easy to transfer files to-and-from the server
• For this class I STRONGLY encourage you to get a
paid account so that you do not have to deal with
adds, long load times, server downtime, etc. If
you only use the free account, you WILL get
frustrated and I don’t want that frustration to be
taken out on me because I’m sensitive in that
way.
• Let’s begin . . .
• Go to http://www.netfirms.com/web-hosting/
•
Note: The screenshots that follow are old, but will help absent people
catch up. For those viewing ppt only, keep in mind that we did this “live”
in class.
Click the “Free Web
Hosting” link.
Click the signup now button
to continue
Click the link for a free
Netfirms sub domain
Enter the domain name of
your choice and then click
the search button
Click the “continue” button
at the bottom of the page
(not shown here)
Enter your information here.
Be sure to enter a valid email address because
Netfirms will send you the
information you need to use
your account (e.g.,
passwords) to that e-mail
address.
Press the “continue” button
when you’re finished.
Review your order and click
“continue”
Congrats!
Now go check your e-mail
You’ll need this info when
you login
Note: I’ve hidden the
password in this slide.
This is the URL for your
web site. Click on this link
to visit your new web site.
Your default page will look
something like this.
Notice that the URL is
http://aps2005.netfirms.com
Enter your member name
and password then click the
“login” button.
File manager can be used
to transfer the web pages
you create to your account.
Things to know about your Netfirms
account
• There are two major directories
• www – this directory will hold all the files that
end with *.htm, *.html, or *.txt. In other words,
this directory will hold web pages or other
documents you want people to be able to see.
• cgi-bin – this directory will hold all CGI/Perl
scripts you write (or borrow) to process data
(i.e., to perform dynamic web functions). These
files will typically end with the *.pl extension.
Netfirms’ File Manager
The “cgi-bin” folder will
hold any Perl/CGI
scripts that you write.
The “www” folder will
hold any HTML files
that you write.
File manager
• You can transfer files from your computer to the
Netfirms server by using Netfirms’ “File
manager” application.
• This application provides an interface that allows
you to upload files from your computer to the
server, in the same way that you may upload
files that you’re submitting for publication or to
granting agencies.
• Click on directories to see their contents; click
the “Up” button to move backwards through a
directory. Click “upload” to upload a file to the
server.
Create a new directory
• Later we’re going to write programs that save
data to a text file on the server.
• To keep everything organized, we’ll save data
files to a directory called “data”
• This directory does not exist by default in your
Netfirms account; you must create it.
To create a new
directory:
1. Chose the
“directory” option
2.Enter “data” in the
textbox
3. Press the “create
button”
This shows you which
directory you are
currently navigating.
The new directory is
now listed.
Click here if you need
to change permissions
Caveat
• As of 2009, it is now possible to run Perl/cgiscripts in your www directory. Your cgi files do
NOT have to exist exclusively in your cgi-bin
directory to operate.
• For the sake of consistency with the book and
good ole’ fashioned organization, however, I will
continue to encourage you to place perl files in
cgi-bin directory and standard HTML files in your
www directory. Just keep in mind that, literally,
this is not required.