Apache: The Definitive Guide Vital Information for Apache Programmers and Administrators

By Ben Laurie, Peter Laurie
First Edition   
Pages: 274
ISBN 10: 1-56592-250-6 | ISBN 13: 9781565922501

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Book description

Apache is far and away the most widely used Web server platform in the world. This book, written and reviewed by key members of the Apache Group, describes how to obtain, set up, and secure the Apache software. Includes CD-ROM with Apache sources and demo sites discussed in the book.
Full Description

The freeware Apache Web server runs on about half of the world's existing Web sites, and it is rapidly increasing in popularity. Apache: The Definitive Guide, written and reviewed by key members of the Apache Group, describes how to obtain, set up, and secure the Apache software. Apache was originally based on code and ideas found in the most popular HTTP server of the time: NCSA httpd 1.3 (early 1995). It has since evolved into a far superior system that can rival (and probably surpass) almost any other UNIX-based HTTP server in terms of functionality, efficiency, and speed. It has several new features (among which are highly configurable error messages, DBM-based authentication databases, and content negotiation). It also offers dramatically improved performance and fixes many bugs in the NCSA 1.3 code. Contents include:
  • The history of the Apache Group
  • Obtaining and compiling the server
  • Configuring and running Apache, including such topics as directory structures, virtual hosts, and CGI programming
  • The Apache Module API
  • Apache security
  • A complete list of configuration
With Apache: The Definitive Guide, Web administrators new to Apache can come up to speed more quickly than ever before by working through the tutorial demo. Experienced administrators and CGI programmers will find the reference sections indispensable. Apache: The Definitive Guide is the definitive documentation for the world's most popular Web server. Includes CD-ROM with Apache manuals and demo sites discussed in the book.
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Book details

First Edition:
ISBN: 1-56592-250-6
Pages: 274


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"Apache, a freeware program, is one of the most popular server software used on the UNIX platform. The aim of this book is to show web administrators how to properly set up the Apache server.

"The first three chapters are a tutorial on how to set up web sites - using virtual hosting & Apache. The rest of the book covers the following subjects:

Common Gateway Interface (CGI) Authentication Content & Language Arbitration Indexing Redirection Proxy Servers Server-Side Includes Logs The Apache API Writing Apache Modules Security

"Also included with the book is a cd-rom. The cd includes Apache, versions 1.1.1 & 1.2b; the HTTP/1.0 & 1.1 specs; the CGI/1.1 specs; gzip version 1.24; and the sites referred to in the book. However, the authors suggest that you download Apache from www.apache.org, as it's likely to be a more current version than the one included with the book. But you can compile and install Apache from the included cd-rom.

"It's obvious that the authors know Apache very well. In fact, Ben Laurie is a member of the core Apache group. The authors state that they expect most people who read this book to have used the World Wide Web and to understand how it works. I qualify for that part! Then they go on to say they expect readers are now thinking about running their own server.

"I'm not thinking about running my own server - especially after reading this book. However, I rent space on two servers - one locally for my own site & one for the purpose of reselling web space. Both servers are powered by Apache. So it couldn't hurt to learn a little about the software & what it can do.

"The Lauries take you from installing Apache through running secure, virtual host web sites. There are demonstrations you can duplicate using your own equipment. Along the way, they also try to alert you to all the dangers inherent in running a server and what you can do to avoid or bypass them.

"Where this book really shines is in the details. Apache is controlled through roughly 150 directives. As far as I can tell, they're all covered in minute detail. For each directive, the syntax, where it is used, & an explanation is provided. This is, in fact, the bulk of the book.

Conclusion

"Although this book is highly informative & well written, I could not set up a web server after reading it. So if you know a little about the web, and think you'll just read this book to set up your own server, think again.

"On the other hand, if you're more familiar with the requirements of running a server - how to connect to the Internet, security questions, how domain hosting works, etc - and you want free software to set up your server - this book is for you."

--CompuNotes, August 1997

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