Apache Server Unleashed

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 656 pages
• Published by: Sams; Pap/Cdr edition March 9, 2000
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0672318083
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0672318085
• Book Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.6 inches
• Weighs: 2.4 pounds

Product Review
The Apache Web server is one of the most fascinating success stories in the Internet software business. This open-source product has arguably become the most used Web server on the Net. Apache Server Unleashed offers traditional documentation of this unconventional product.

A key aspect of Apache is its modularity. Webmasters are free to custom-build Apache installations that precisely fit their requirements by compiling only the software modules they want. The authors do a good job of exploring these possibilities but still manage to present the material in an organized, topical manner. They take a little time along the way to delve into some key related technologies such as Common Gateway Interface (CGI), cookies, Perl, and Personal Home Page (PHP)--a very popular server-side scripting language frequently used to add the smarts to Apache applications.

The chapters are all rather bite-size, making this book easy to digest for those with scattered chunks of reading time. To get the most from Apache, a solid understanding of C programming is a must. Even so, this book offers much for the nonprogrammer interested in learning about Apache. Included is a CD-ROM containing the source code for the Apache 1.3.9 release, as well as several third-party utilities like Comanche--a key administration tool. If you have experience with commercial Web servers and are curious what all the fuss is about with Apache, this title offers a well-rounded look at the hottest Web server around. --Stephen W. Plain

Topics covered: Installation, server configuration files, configuration with Comanche, MIME types, proxy and cache server use, CGI programming, server-side includes, cookie implementation, security and auditing, authentication, logging, Apache modules, Perl module, PHP module, and Apache API.

Book Description
Apache Server Unleashed is designed for both the Apache Web developer and system administrator. Apache Server Unleashed teaches you how to extend the base server through CGI scripts and modules, with extensive advanced coverage on modules. This book teaches the system administrator how to fine-tune the server for specific traffic use. Some topics include how to start, stop and restart the server in order to update, retune, and address any general or disaster recovery issues. Learn underlying architecture of Apache Server, specifically security and authentication, as well as newer topics such as running Apache on Windows NT.

Reader Reviews
Just a note of clarification: I suspect that that K. Limberg was thinking of a different book when writing the last review. There are at least two books that might have prompted it: one is essentially a copy of the source code ('Apache Server Commentary'), and the other is a copy of the documentation on the Web site (I have a copy, but can't remember the title). I can assure you that 'Apache Server Unleashed' is neither of these; it contains hundreds of pages of technical custom-written text that appear nowhere else. I know, because I wrote a bunch of it. :-) BTW, the 5-star rating I've given is because I have to give *some* rating, and to offset the single star from what I sincerely believe is a mistaken review. Comment | | (Report this)