Chapter 4: Working with Tomcats Configuration Files

Overview

In this chapter, you’ll focus on basic Tomcat configuration by examining the files found in CATALINA_HOME/conf. The default installation of Tomcat uses these files to configure the server when it starts up; therefore, it’s of the utmost importance that you understand what the default configuration will do and how you can modify it.

You’ll see the main configuration file, server.xml, and Tomcat’s other configuration files. As you saw in Chapter 1, Tomcat uses a component-based, hierarchical architecture. This model greatly simplifies the configuration of the complex server.

You’ll see the top-level components and the hierarchy of containers below them, as well as the nested components, all of which should be familiar to you from Chapter 1. By the end of this chapter, you’ll be comfortable with the default configuration of Tomcat, and you’ll also be able to modify this configuration for your own needs.

The final part of the chapter will cover Windows service configuration and how you can modify this option for your own needs.