Chapter 19: Apache HTTP Server Configuration


As most Linux administrators are probably aware, the Apache HTTP server is the most popular World Wide Web server in the world. As with previous versions, Red Hat Linux 8.0 ships with Apache preconfigured and ready to install. Red Hat Linux 8.0 also includes the HTTP Configuration Tool, a graphical utility for configuring Apache to suit the needs of a particular site, as well as various packages — including mod_ssl — designed to create a secure website.

This chapter discusses the use of the HTTP Configuration Tool to customize your Apache installation, as well as the configuration of a secure Web server using mod_ssl. This chapter is not intended to be an exhaustive treatise on the subject of Apache configuration but rather assumes that you have a basic understanding of Apache and are familiar with the needs of your particular site. For more information on Apache and Web security, see the “Additional Resources” section at the end of this chapter.

New in Red Hat Linux 8.0

The Apache HTTP server has been updated to version 2.0, and the package has been renamed httpd. The configuration options have changed. If you want to migrate an existing configuration manually, refer to the migration guide at /usr/share/doc/httpd-ver/migration.html.

If you configured the Apache HTTP server with the HTTP Configuration Tool in previous versions of Red Hat Linux and then performed an upgrade, you can use the application to migrate the configuration file to the new format for version 2.0. Start the HTTP Configuration Tool, make any changes to the configuration, and save it. The configuration file saved will be compatible with version 2.0. The HTTP Configuration Tool allows you to configure the /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf configuration file for the Apache HTTP server. It does not use the old srm.conf or access.conf configuration files; leave them empty. Through the graphical interface, you can configure directives such as virtual hosts, logging attributes, and maximum number of connections.

Only modules that are shipped with Red Hat Linux can be configured with the HTTP Configuration Tool. If additional modules are installed, they cannot be configured using this tool. The HTTP Configuration Tool requires the X Window System and root access. To start the application, type redhat-config-httpd at a shell prompt (for example, in an XTerm window or GNOME terminal window).

Warning

Do not edit the /etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf configuration file manually if you wish to use this tool. The HTTP Configuration Tool generates this file after you save your changes and exit the program. If you want to add additional modules or configuration options that are not available in the HTTP Configuration Tool, you cannot use the HTTP Configuration Tool.

The general steps for configuring the Apache HTTP server using the HTTP Configuration Tool are as following:

  1. Configure the basic settings under the Main tab.

  2. Click on the Virtual Hosts tab and configure the default settings.

  3. Under the Virtual Hosts tab, configure the Default Virtual Host.

  4. If you want to serve more than one URL or virtual host, add the additional virtual hosts.

  5. Configure the server settings under the Server tab.

  6. Configure the connections settings under the Performance Tuning tab.

  7. Copy all necessary files to the DocumentRoot and cgi-bin directories and save your settings in the HTTP Configuration Tool.




Official Red Hat Linux Administrator's Guide
Official Red Hat Linux Administrators Guide
ISBN: 0764516957
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2002
Pages: 278
Authors: Red Hat Inc

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