![[Compaq]](../../images/compaq.gif)
![[Go to the documentation home page]](../../images/buttons/bn_site_home.gif)
![[How to order documentation]](../../images/buttons/bn_order_docs.gif)
![[Help on this site]](../../images/buttons/bn_site_help.gif)
![[How to contact us]](../../images/buttons/bn_comments.gif)
![[OpenVMS documentation]](../../images/ovmsdoc_sec_head.gif)
| Document revision date: 28 June 1999 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
This FAQ contains additional information about Netscape FastTrack Web Server for OpenVMS Alpha.
Revision/Update Information: This manual supersedes the Netscape FastTrack Web Server Version 3.01 for OpenVMS Alpha Frequently Asked Questions.
Software Version: Netscape FastTrack Web Server Version 3.01A for OpenVMS Alpha
Compaq Computer Corporation
Houston, Texas
Digital Equipment Corporation makes no representations that the use of its products in the manner described in this publication will not infringe on existing or future patent rights, nor do the descriptions contained in this publication imply the granting of licenses to make, use, or sell equipment or software in accordance with the description.
Possession, use, or copying of the software described in this publication is authorized only pursuant to a valid written license from Digital Equipment Corporation or an authorized sublicensor.
© Digital Equipment Corporation 1999. All rights reserved.
Compaq, the Compaq logo, and the DIGITAL logo are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Alpha, AlphaServer, AlphaStation, DEC, DIGITAL, OpenVMS, Tru64, VAX, VMS, are trademarks of Compaq Computer Corporation.
The following are third-party trademarks:
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Netscape, Netscape FastTrack Server, and Netscape Navigator are registered trademarks, and Netscape Navigator Gold and Netscape Communicator are trademarks of Netscape Communications Corporation.
Java is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, Inc. JavaScript is a registered trademark of Sun Microsystems, used under license for technology invented by Netscape.
UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group.
MultiNet and TCPware are registered trademarks of Process Software Corporation.
Other product names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective companies.
This document was prepared using VAX DOCUMENT, Version V3.2n.
ZK6564
The OpenVMS documentation set is available on CD-ROM.
| Contents |
Q: What is Netscape FastTrack Version 3.01A?
A: Netscape FastTrack Version 3.01A for OpenVMS Alpha
is an easy-to-use web server that enables people to quickly establish a
web presence and deploy intranet solutions. It combines the high
performance and reliability of an open Internet standards-based web
engine with the ability to quickly and easily set up and publish a
sophisticated web site. Within minutes an individual can be running
FastTrack 3.01A and serving web pages across the Internet and within an
intranet. Netscape Navigator Gold, included with FastTrack, makes it
easy to create web content and use the One Button Publish feature to
publish it. Finally, FastTrack also delivers the ability to deploy and
manage multiple FastTrack servers in a clustered environment, allowing
users to more efficiently and easily manage many different Netscape
servers from a single administration server.
2 Getting a copy of FastTrack for OpenVMS Alpha
Q: How do I get a copy of FastTrack for OpenVMS Alpha?
A: FastTrack V3.01A is included with the OpenVMS Alpha
Version 7.2-1 operating system release. You can also download the kit
from http://www.openvms.compaq.com
3 License information
Q: Do I need to purchase a license to run Netscape FastTrack?
A: No. The right to use Netscape FastTrack is included
under the OpenVMS operating system license.
4 Versions of OpenVMS Alpha for FastTrack
Q: On what version of OpenVMS Alpha does FastTrack Version 3.01A run?
A: FastTrack Version V3.01A runs on OpenVMS Alpha
Version 7.1 or later. FastTrack runs on DIGITAL TCP/IP Services for
OpenVMS Version 4.2 or Version 5.0.
5 Support for other IP stacks
Q: Will you support other IP stacks?
A: While we officially support only DIGITAL TCP/IP
Services for OpenVMS, we have tested FastTrack with other industry IP
implementations, including Process Software's MultiNet® and
TCPware®.
6 FastTrack on OpenVMS VAX
Q: Will Netscape FastTrack be available on OpenVMS VAX?
A: No. Market data has not indicated a customer need
for FastTrack on OpenVMS VAX.
7 FastTrack support for the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
Q: Does FastTrack Server V3.01A support the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)?
A: Yes. LDAP support enables administrators to easily
manage users and groups, control access to information, change
configurations, monitor activity, and review log reports. Moreover, all
these tasks can be done from an administrator's own web browser no
matter where on the network the administrator resides. And because LDAP
is an Internet-standard protocol, administrators can even connect to
Netscape Directory Server or any LDAP directory outside their
organization.
8 Upgrading to Version 3.01A with existing configuration settings
Q: How can I upgrade the FastTrack server from Version 3.01 to Version 3.01A without changing my current configuration?
A: Run FT 3.01 ns-setup and use your current server
root directory as the server root. At the end of ns-setup, answer
No to "Configure new server now?" This keeps all of
your existing configuration settings.
9 Determining version number
Q: How do I determine what version of the FastTrack server I am using?
A: In the FastTrack for OpenVMS server root, enter the following command:
$ type /page start-admin.com |
If you have FastTrack Version 3.01A, the first line displayed is as follows:
$! OpenVMS FastTrack version 3.01a (a later version than v3.01) |
If you have FastTrack Version 3.01 or earlier, that line will not be present.
Note that when you are using the Administration Server to manage your
FastTrack server, under the "Server Preferences:On/Off"
frame, if you click "About this server," the version number
listed is 3.01.
10 Documentation about clusters
Q: Where can I find documentation about clustering with FastTrack for OpenVMS Alpha?
A: See the online Netscape Administrator's
Guide. To do this, on the Administration Server screen, click the
Help button, then go to Chapter 3, Managing Clusters. Remember that
Netscape clusters and OpenVMS Clusters are different features.
11 Installing FastTrack on an OpenVMS Cluster
Q: Can I install FastTrack on an OpenVMS cluster?
A: Yes. Follow the standard installation instructions
and install the Administration Server and then the FastTrack (Netscape
Personal) server on each node on the OpenVMS Cluster from which you
want it to run.
12 Installing FastTrack on multiple nodes
Q: Can I just install FastTrack once and then start it on multiple nodes of an OpenVMS cluster?
A: No. Unlike products that were specifically
developed to be OpenVMS Cluster-aware, you cannot install FastTrack
once on your OpenVMS Cluster and then start it on multiple nodes.
Netscape FastTrack is not designed to benefit from nor use OpenVMS
Cluster technology.
13 Using the same FastTrack account when installing on a cluster
Q: Can I use the same FastTrack account for each installation in the Netscape cluster?
A: No. Each installation of FastTrack must have its
own account, and the UIC for each account must be in the same group.
14 Installing FastTrack on mixed-architecture OpenVMS cluster
Q: Can I install FastTrack on a mixed-architecture OpenVMS cluster?
A: Yes, but there are some considerations. You can
only install and run FastTrack on Alpha nodes, because there is no VAX
version. Also, be sure you are not using an IP cluster alias unless the
alias is set up only for the nodes on which you have installed
FastTrack.
15 Managing FastTrack on other platforms
Q: Can I manage FastTrack on different platforms (for example, Tru64tm UNIX®) from the OpenVMS FastTrack Administration Server?
A: Yes. The Administration Server user name and
password should be all the same.
16 License registration screen
Q: After I create an HTTPD server and click to turn it on, I keep getting a license registration screen. How do I make the screen go away?
A: Select Already registered and you won't be asked
again. You have probably been choosing No need to register, which
causes the registration screen to come up again the next time.
17 Error running init function(late) init-uhome: unknown error in error log
Q: When I attempt to start up the HTTPD server, I get the following error in my START.LOG:
conf_init: Error running init function(late) init-uhome: unknown error |
What does it mean and how do I fix it?
A: init-uhome refers to the initialization of User Public Directories. You might have used Content Management | User Document Directories to configure User Public Directories, entered "This file" for Password file, and then entered the name of a file that does not exist. Verify that you typed the full directory specification correctly.
You can find additional information concerning the use of User Public
Directories from a FastTrack account in the release notes.
18 Automating server startup
Q: How do I make the HTTPD server start automatically when the system reboots?
A: Edit SYSTARTUP_VMS.COM In that file, add the following line:
$ @<server_root.httpd-<httpd_server_name>>START.COM |
For example:
$! Start up FastTrack Server $ @BILD$DKB400:[INSTALL_SERVER.OPT1119.HTTPD-OPT1119]START.COM |
Q: Users on my system like to have detached windows. But since I started FastTrack, they keep disappearing. What is wrong?
A: You are probably running the FastTrack (HTTPD)
server from a privileged account. The watchdog process UXWDOG that runs
with the FastTrack server keeps FastTrack running and also stops
detached windows. Run FastTrack from an account with minimum privilege
(see the installation instructions in the OpenVMS Supplement
and the problem will go away.
20 Global Settings | Restrict Access | Edit ACL : does not give users multiple Program Groups
Q: I am getting the following message:
No programs found Did not find any programs that matched your permissions |
I checked my ACL, my Users and Groups, and everything looks fine.
A: Do you try to allow one user access to several selected Program Groups (Admin Preferences, Global Settings, Users and Groups, Keys and Certificates, Cluster Management) or specific Program Items within these groups?
There is a known bug in Version 3.01A of FastTrack. If a user is allowed access to multiple Program Groups, ACLs do not work correctly. Use the following workaround until the bug is fixed in a future release.
If your Server Administration requires that User 1 must be limited to a few Program Groups while a User 2 must have access to the others, you can work around the problem by going to Users and Groups, creating five users with different passwords, putting them all in the Administrators group, then giving some of the passwords to User 1 and others to User 2. For example, your <serverroot>ADMINACL]ADMIN-SERV.ACL file might look as follows:
Version 3.0; acl "admin-serv"; deny with file = "/dka300/users/marysr/ss2/adminacl/admin-denymsg.html"; deny (all) (user = "anyone"); deny absolute (all) group != "Administrators"; allow (all) (user = "adminpref") and (program = "Admin Preferences"); allow (all) (user = "globalset") and (program = "Global Settings"); allow (all) (user = "usersgroups") and (program = "Users and Groups"); allow (all) (user = "keyscerts") and (program = "Keys and Certificates"); allow (all) (user = "clustermgt") and (program = "Cluster Management"); |
Then you could give User 1 the passwords for user="usersgroups" and "clustermgt" and give User 2 the passwords for user="adminpref", "globalset", and "keyscerts".
Note that, in this example, User 1 must have two windows: one logged in
as "usersgroups" and the other as "clustermgt". User 2 must have three
windows: one logged in as "adminpref", one as "globalset", and one as
"keyscerts". This is because Netscape Navigator remembers what
userid/password you logged in with the first time and will reuse it
rather than honor a second login.
21 Do not try turning off HTTPD server access control
Q: The web server won't start. The last line in START.LOG is:
conf_init: [NSACL1780] file /dka300/users/marysr/ss2/httpacl/generated.httpd-PT800.acl, line 2: syntax error at "" |
What did I do wrong?
A: Go to Server Preferences | Restrict Access and choose Item A: Edit Access Control turn access control off. Click "Access control is on" to turn it off. You can also delete the default access control by clicking on the trash cans. But if you do either of these things, you will get this message.
Rather than try to reconstruct the default, go to <serverroot>HTTPACL]. You should have two versions of GENERATED_HTTPD-nickname.ACL. The latest one will have just one line which says "version 3.0". Delete that file, allowing the previous version, the default access control, to take effect.
Also delete the latest version of GENWORK_HTTPD-PT800.ACL, otherwise
the problem can reoccur.
22 Limitation on passwords running a secure server
Q: Why do I sometimes get the following message in START.LOG?
Unable to open magnus.conf |
A: This message can mean that your MAGNUS.CONF is
somehow inaccessible. This message can also mean that you have entered
a bad password. This message appears if you enter passwords with
illegal characters, such as an exclamation point.
23 Error log messages
Q: I receive many repeat error messages in the Administration Server and in the HTTPD server like the following:
[14/May/1998:16:58:45] failure: Error accepting connection -5993 (VMS specific ...) |
Should I be worried? Everything seems to be working.
A: This message is harmless. For more information, see the Netscape Help page FAQ at:
http://help.netscape.com/kb/server/971110-2.html |
Q: My server starts up and serves text pages correctly, but when I try to access images (.JPEG, .GIF), they appear corrupt or do not appear at all.
A: You need to apply one or more patches. See the
OpenVMS Supplement for a complete list of required patches.
25 Corrupt SSL header
Q: My FastTrack SSL server appears to startup correctly, accepting my password without error, but when I attempt to serve a page I get an error message about a corrupt SSL header. Also, I get the following message in my ERRORS.LOG file:
failure: HandleResponse(): Error writing to socket (VMS specific error 8428) |
A: You need to apply one or more patches. See the
OpenVMS Supplement for a complete list of required patches.
26 If you remove a style, be sure to remove any assignment
Q: I didn't like a Configuration Style that I created, so I removed it. Now I am getting a "Document contains no data" message on the page to which the Style had been applied.
A: A Configuration Style has to be assigned in order
to take effect. If you remove the style, you also have to go to
Configuration Styles | List Assignments and remove the assignment.
27 Latest browser needed for Global Settings | Restrict Access
Q: When I go to General Administration of the Admin Server and select either Global Settings | Restrict Access | Create ACL or Global Settings | Restrict Access | Edit ACL, I get a series of messages starting with:
JavaScript Error: http://digvms00:23703/admin-serv/html/aclapplet.html, line 9: |
These messages continue with one of the following:
java is not defined. JavaPackage.getProperty is not a function. can't call Java from JavaScript. |
After I click OK on each of these, I get two blank frames. What should I do?
A: It sounds like you are running an older version of Netscape Navigator Version 3.03. Get the latest version (March 1998), which solves this problem.
You can see what version of Netscape Navigator you have by putting a -v
parameter at the end of the command you use to start it up. It should
say 09-Mar-98 or later.
28 Upgrading CGIs written for OSU web server to FastTrack
Q: How do I upgrade a CGI written for the OpenVMS OSU web server to run on the OpenVMS FastTrack server?
A: Writing a CGI for the OpenVMS FastTrack server involves less overhead than writing a CGI for the OSU server.
The first difference between the two servers is that the OSU server has three CGI modes. The FastTrack server has only one CGI mode. The FastTrack server's mode most closely resembles what the OSU server calls "CGI mode."
The following example illustrates the other differences between the OSU server and the FastTrack server. This is DCL code for displaying the CGI variable SERVER_NAME on the OSU web server:
$! begin OSU web server CGI example $ write net_link "<DNETRECMODE>" ! Set implied carriage control. $ CGI_SYMBOLS "WWW_" "FORM_" $ put = "write net_link" $ put "content-type: text/plain" ! CGI header $ put "" $ create net_link: $ define sys$output net_link: $ show symbol www_server_name $ deass sys$output $ exit |
Following is an example of DCL code for displaying the CGI variable SERVER_NAME on the FastTrack web server:
$! begin FastTrack web server CGI example $ write sys$output "Content-type: text/plain" $ write sys$output "" $ show symbol server_name $ exit |
Some differences to note are as follows:
An important similiarity between OSU and FastTrack is that the first output from the CGI program must be "Content-type: text/html" (or another valid content-type) following by a blank line. Failure to abide by this rule is the single most common cause of errors in writing CGIs. |
A OSU server CGI may be accidentally outputting a DCL warning or error to SYS$OUTPUT. On the OSU server, this error or warning would be ignored because it is not sent to the browser. (You have to write to net_link to send something to the browser.) On the FastTrack server, this error or warning might interfere with the first output from the CGI being the "Content-type: text/html" followed by a blank line. This would cause a server error, which could then be viewed in the FastTrack server's ERRORS. log file. You'll be able to catch many of the problems associated with producing an incorrect header by examining the ERRORS.LOG file.
A helpful debugging trick when you attempt to convert a CGI is to put the following line at the top of your CGI:
$ write sys$output f$fao("Content-type: text/plain!/!/")
|
This line causes the header to appear correctly, and you can then see the actual output from your CGI in your browser window instead of an ambiguous "Server Error" message.
For more information about writing CGI scripts for the OSU server, see the following:
http://kcgl1.eng.ohio-state.edu/www/doc/script_env.html |
For more general information about writing CGI scripts, see the following:
http://hoohoo.ncsa.uiuc.edu/cgi/ |
Q: I was cutting and pasting file names out of a DCL window into my browser window. When the version number is included in the name of a CGI, it gets displayed instead of executed.
A: You are probably identifying CGIs by file type
rather than specifying them by directories. The version number makes it
impossible to identify the file type. You can go to Programs | CGI
Directory and use a directory mapping. With directory mappings, version
numbers can be used.
30 OpenVMS file specifications in a file URL
Q: Can I cut and paste an OpenVMS file specification into a file URL? Or do I have to make it look more UNIX like?
A: The following three examples of syntax will work for file URLs:
file:dkb400:[users.peritus.public_html]index.html file:/dkb400/[users.peritus.public_html]index.html file:///dkb400/users/peritus/public_html/index.html |
However, most other combinations do not work, including the form which would seem to most nearly match the way a file URL is supposed to look:
file:///dkb400:[users.peritus.public_html]index.html |
Q: When I click on a link that should execute a Perl CGI, what I get is a "Save As ..." dialog box. Did I forget something?
A: First, be sure your Perl CGI has an extension (suffix) of pl.
Second, decide which Programs option you will use.
Third, be sure to click Save and Apply so that whatever changes you
made take affect.
32 Environment variables truncated in C CGI program
Q: Why did my environment variable get truncated when it was passed into my C CGI program?
A: The standard set of environment variables, such as
CONTENT_LENGTH, are passed into C CGI programs by *envp and are
accessible through the getenv() system call. There is a restriction in
the C RTL (run time library) that prevents such an environment variable
from being passed in correctly if it is more than about 230 characters
in length. (Any string longer than 230 characters will be truncated.)
This restriction is expected to be lifted in a future ECO to the C RTL.
33 Environment variables undefined in DCL or Perl CGI program
Q: Why is my CGI environment variable undefined in my Perl CGI?
A: The standard set of CGI enviroment variables are
passed into DCL and Perl CGIs using OpenVMS symbols. OpenVMS symbols
are limited to 1023 characters in length. If one of these variables is
greater than 1023 characters, the variable will be undefined in your
DCL or Perl CGI.
34 Server-Side Java® examples in <root>.PLUGINS.JAVA.APPLETS]
Q: I tried to run the server-side Java examples in <root>.PLUGINS.JAVA.APPLETS]. When I tried the following URL, it failed:
http://digvms00:800/server-java/BROWSERDATAAPPLET |
What did I do wrong?
A: You probably cut and pasted the file name. This won't work unless the applet name happens to be uppercase. The following format should work:
http://digvms00:800/server-java/BrowserDataApplet |
For the others, look in the *.JAVA files to get the right names.
35 Trailing space in document directory is significant
Q: Can I use trailing spaces in directory names?
A: Do not put any trailing spaces in directory names. OpenVMS will not find the directory. (This is not precisely the behavior that you get from Tru64 UNIX. UNIX allows you to create a space in the directory name.) However, the first time you enter a directory name with a trailing space, you will get a message about directory not found. Do not ignore this message.
If you are having problem with a document directory, check the quoted
string in OBJ.CONF for extra characters.
36 Passing password in to START.COM
Q: How do you start a secure server and pass in the password on the START.COM command line?
A: Use the -z switch. For example:
$ @START "-z my1secret" |
Q: In order to execute a CGI program with privileges, it is necessary to install the image with privileges. However, when the CGI runs, it doesn't have the expected privileges.
A: This is a known problem in the current DECC RTL and
will be fixed in ECO7 of DECC RTL for OpenVMS V7.1.
38 Error activating image CMA$TIS_SHR during installation
Q: I can't install FastTrack. When I try to run the NS-SETUP program, I get the following error:
$ run NS-SETUP.EXE %DCL-W-ACTIMAGE, error activating image CMA$TIS_SHR -CLI-E-IMGNAME, image file ALPHA$DKA0:[SYS0.SYSCOMMON.][SYSLIB]CMA$TIS_SHR.EXE -SYSTEM-F-SHRIDMISMAT, ident mismatch with shareable image |
A: You didn't install the Pthread patch
(PTHREADS_03071). See the installation documentation for details.
39 Site Monitor feature does not work
Q: When I go to Server Status | Monitor Current Activity, I get a nice screen but the values are all zero. Did I forget something?
A: You must turn on PRMGBL and SYSGBL privileges for
the FASTTRACK account. You must also have the latest C RTL patch
installed (ALPACRT07_071 or later).
40 FastTrack server cannot bind to port
Q: After I start the FastTrack server, the server can't serve pages and keeps writing error messages to the errors log such as "failure: startup failure: could not bind to port 80 (VMS specific error)". What's wrong?
A: Your FASTTRACK user default directory's ownership
is wrong. If it is owned by SYSTEM, change it to FASTTRACK user.
41 Online programmer documentation
Q: Is there documentation for programmers about the server, for example, writing server-side JavaScript applications or Java applications?
A: The URL
http://developer.netscape.com/docs/manuals/enterprise.html has links to
Netscape's FastTrack/Enterprise Server documentation.
42 Program to generate a key pair for security (sec-key) fails
Q: When I follow the instructions for Keys and Certificates to use sec-key to generate a key pair, quite often it crashes. Sometimes the symptom can be the follow error:
error: Could not generate key (returned -1), try again! |
What is wrong?
A: Netscape's recommendation is to try it again,
several times if necessary, until it works. When you try again, make
sure that you stop typing as soon as the progress meter is full,
because overtyping can cause the error. This is a bug in the Netscape
code.
43 Server-side JavaScript web file path must be UNIX style
Q: I wrote a server-side JavaScript program, went to the Application Manager, and added the application. But when I try to run it, I get a window and then a message "Document contains no data." What is wrong?
A: Most likely you used an OpenVMS file specification
for your Web File Path. This has to be a UNIX style file specification.
44 Compiling an object for use in an external library
Q: I try to compile an object to use in a library of C routines that will be used by a server-side JavaScript program, my system fails. Why?
A: The object must be compiled with the /IEEE_MODE=INEXACT qualifier to maintain compatibility with the server images.
Failure to do this will result in floating point operations producing
incorrect results or other unpredictable results, including system
failures.
45 Use STREAM_LF format files
Q: Why am I getting poor performance from the FastTrack server when I access large documents?
A: The FastTrack server handles Stream_LF format files much more efficiently than other file types. If you are concerned about performance, and have documents that are large and/or frequently accessed by your server, converting them into Stream_LF format can significantly improve performance.
To determine the format of a file, use the DCL command DIRECTORY as follows:
$ DIRECTORY /FULL file-name |
Locate the line beginning "Record format:". The line will appear similar to the following for a file that is already in Stream_LF format:
Record format: Stream_LF, maximum 0 bytes, longest 51 bytes |
If the format is not Stream_LF, the file can be converted as follows.
Create a file named STREAM_LF.FDL that contains the following three lines:
RECORD
BLOCK_SPAN yes
FORMAT stream_lf
|
Then use the CONVERT utility:
$ CONVERT /FDL=STREAM_LF file-name file-name |
You may want to purge file-name after you convert the file.
46 Resource picker
Q: Sometimes the resource picker doesn't work. Why?
A: When you choose a resource path specification that contains metacharacters (for example, the dollar sign [$]), the server will misinterpret those characters. For example, if you are attempting to pick a resource path on a cluster mounted disk, your resource path will be similar to the following:
/VMS$DKA0/FASTTRACK/DOCS/* |
The server will misinterpret this path, and the functions you enabled for that resource area will not work. This also applies to error responses, CGI file types, MIME types, and so on.
The solution is to use the Wildcard... button on the resource picker.
Type in the desired path, replacing the dollar sign ($) with a question
mark (?) In the example, click on Wildcard... and type
/VMS?DKA0/FASTTRACK/DOCS/* in the dialog box. (The question mark means
match any character.) Now you can enable or disable any functions you
wish for this resource area.
47 Picking a resource directory
Q: When I attempt to pick a resource directory to designate a default query handler it doesn't work. Why?
A: In FastTrack V3.01A for OpenVMS, you can choose
only the entire server as your resource area for designation of a
default query handler.
48 SSL LDAP between FastTrack and Directory Server
Q: Why am I having trouble getting SSL LDAP between the FastTrack server and my Directory 3.1 Server to work?
A: SSL LDAP between the FastTrack server and any Directory 3.1 Server is known to not currently work. This will be corrected in a future release of FastTrack Server for OpenVMS.
Non-SSL LDAP was tested and works as expected.
49 POST data in a DCL CGI
Q: How do I read the POST data in a DCL CGI?
A: If you read SYS$COMMAND you will obtain the POST
data. If you read from SYS$INPUT, you will just read the next line of
the CGI command file.
50 Cannot enable Dynamic Configuration File
Q: Why am I unable to enable my Dynamic Configuration File?
A: One possibility is that as an OpenVMS user, you can't use the file name .NSCONFIG for your dynamic configuration file name.
Valid file names must be in the form NSCONFIG or VMS.NSCONFIG. Beginning a file name with a period (.) is invalid. For example. .NSCONFIG is invalid.
Another possibility is the presence of a dollar sign ($) in either the translated requesting URL path or the path to the dynamic configuration file name. This character would cause the dynamic configuration function to fail.
The reason for this problem is that there are two paths involved in activating this function: the normal path to the document being served (for example, /VMS$DKA0/SUITESPOT/DOCS/INDEX.HTML), and the path being used for the base directory to begin searching for dynamic configuration files. Sometimes the Administration user enters the latter path; and sometimes the server deduces it from the URL. Neither of these paths can include a dollar sign ($).
You will not be able to set up dynamic configuration files from your Primary Document Directory of /VMS$DKA0/SUITESPOT/DOCS.
Change your Primary Document Directory to something other than a path with a dollar sign in it. You can change your Primary Document Directory under Content Management | Primary Document Directory.
If you want to enter a Base Directory yourself (instead of letting the server deduce it from the URL), under Dynamic Configuration File settings this must also not have a dollar sign in it.
One way for OpenVMS users to avoid this problem is to name the device on which they are installing FastTrack with a name without a dollar sign. For example, issue the following command before installing FastTrack to VMS$DKA0:[SUITESPOT]:
$ DEFINE /SYSTEM/EXEC/TRAN=CONC VMSDKA0 VMS$DKA0:[000000.] |
(This command is also needed at each system reboot before restarting FastTrack.) Then install FastTrack to VMSDKA0:[SUITESPOT].
This solves most problems concerning path names having a dollar sign.
Other possible problem areas are User Public Directories that get their
paths from an outside file, or URL prefixes that can be defined through
the Administration Server. To be safe, any paths entered while
tailoring FastTrack should use a path format that does not contain a
dollar sign.
51 Multiple language support
Q: What is multiple language support?
A: When clients contact a server using HTTP 1.1, they can send header information describing the languages they accept. You can configure your server to parse this language information.
You might want to parse the accept language header, for example, if you store documents in Japanese and English. When clients that have Japanese as the accept language header contact the server, they receive the Japanese version of the page. When clients that have English as the accept language header contact the server, they receive the English version.
If you do not support multiple languages, you should not parse the accept language header.
To parse the accept language header:
Once enabled, the server will search for each page as follows. This example assumes that the client has indicated a language choice of Japanese (ja) and English (en), that PAGE.HTML has been requested, and that any document or user directory prefixes have already been handled:
1. [.ja]page.html 2. page_ja.html 3. [.en]page.html 4. page_en.html 5. page.html |
As you can see, you can choose whether to use subdirectories for each language or to append an underscore and the language code to the requested file name.
Note that languages, such as fr-FR, use an underscore instead of a
hyphen, so the subdirectory or file suffix would actually be fr_FR.
52 Unable to access POST data from Perl CGI
Q: My Perl CGI is reading STDIN to obtain its POST data, but there is nothing there. What am I doing wrong?
A: Because of the way that DCL (including Perl) CGIs are run in the OpenVMS version of FastTrack, POST data can not be read from SYS$INPUT (STDIN). Instead, it has to be read from SYS$COMMAND.
There are three solutions to this problem. Choose the one that is most suitable to your situation.
open(STDIN,"SYS\$COMMAND") or die("open");
|
$ define /user sys$input sys$command |
$ netscape$ft_perl 'netscape$ft_name''netscape$ft_type' "''vms_cgipath_vms'" |
| Contents |
|
|
| privacy and legal statement | ||
| 6564PRO.HTML | ||