Frequently Asked Questions: Web Servers and Web Server Accounts - Web Center
Q. What is a web server?
In simplest terms, a web server is a computer configured to deliver (i.e., serve) web pages to other computers upon request. When you enter a URL into the address bar of your computer's web browser software (i.e., Firefox, SeaMonkey, Safari, Camino, Internet Explorer, or Opera) or when you select a link on a web page, the web browser on your computer sends a request for that page to the web server holding that page. The web server locates the page and sends it across the Web/Internet back to your computer's web browser.
Q. How many web servers does Ohlone have?
There are many web servers at Ohlone. Some use the Windows NT operating system, some use the open source Linux operating system, some use Solaris. The two most-used web servers run the College's main website: the development web server and the main web server. Other servers run WebAdvisor, WebCT, the Employee Directory, and a number of other web-based services provided to students and the College. In addition to web servers, Ohlone also has a bunch of network file servers for file storage.
Q. What are the development and main web servers?
The College website was moved from a single web server to two web servers in July 2002: The first, a "development" web server on which websites can be posted, tested, validated for accessibility and web standards, and checked for adherence to the new Ohlone College Web Style Guide. The second, a "main" web server that holds all published, publicly viewable web pages.
Each web server is split into two subdomains as follows:
| Web Server | Subdomains |
|---|---|
| development web server: |
|
| main web server: |
|
The "dev" and "www" subdomains hold all pages managed by the Web Team using the standard design templates in the Zope web content management system.
The "dev2" and "www2" subdomains hold all other web pages (non-Zope files).
Your websites are stored on the "dev2" subdomain on the development web server and on the "www2" subdomain on the main web server.
We are aware that websites that were moved to the "www2" domain in July 2002 are commonly known by the "www.ohlone.edu" URL. We have configured the web servers to automatically redirect site visitors from old "www" websites to the new "www2" websites. For example, links to http://www.ohlone.edu/instr/music/ will redirect automatically to http://www2.ohlone.edu/instr/music/".
When a website is managed by the Web Team by converting it to use the standard design templates, the URL for that site will change from "www2" to "www".
Q. I'm confused. I want a link on my web page to a web page on another Ohlone College website. What do I use in my anchor tag?
To create a link on a page in your website to a page on the "www" subdomain, use the complete URL for the page (for example, http://www.ohlone.edu/core/academicprograms.html). (A complete (also known as absolute) URL uses http:// then the domain name followed by a directory/filename path.)
To create a link on a page in your website to a web page on the "www2" subdomain, use a "root" link (for example, /people/jsmith/). (A "root" link starts with a slash (/) which represents the top level of the current subdomain's directory path.) Alternatively, you can use the complete URL for the page (for example, http://www2.ohlone.edu/people/jsmith/).
Do not create links using the "dev" or "dev2" subdomain names in the complete URL. The "dev" and "dev2" subdomains are for DEVELOPMENT and TESTING only.
Q. How do I get an account on the development web server?
FIRST, review the Web Center's Getting Started Guide, then review How Do I Get A Web Server Account?
Q. Can I use my personal web server account to access the Division/Department/Committee/Other Campus Group website I maintain?
No.
Q. Is there a quota on disk space for a website on the Ohlone College domain?
Yes. Each website is limited to 50 mb. Please contact the Web Team if you feel you need additional disk space for your website. We ask that you do not use the web servers to archive files for later use (transfer them to your hard drive, network drive, ZIP disk, or other off-line storage medium). Please remove any information that hasn't been used in 12 months or won't be used in the current/next semester.
Q. I am a student. Can I create a website for myself on the Ohlone College domain?
Students cannot create personal or classwork-related websites on the web server. Yahoo Geocities, Lycos and dozens of other free or low-cost web hosting providers are available.
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