Virtual Host Service

• Overview
• Details and Documentation
• Proxy Server IP Addresses (SUNet ID required)
• Frequently Asked Questions

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• Details and Documentation

Virtual Host Details and Documentation

How does it work?

Basically, virtual hosting is a way for a single server (or a set of servers operating a single service) to provide web service under multiple monikers. The names are registered as aliases for the machine and then the web service on the machine is configured to respond appropriately based on the name by which it was addressed.

So what?

Well, the quick benefits can be the use of a short URL (for example, http://continuing-studies.stanford.edu/) without the content provider having to run an entirely separate machine and service. (For example, http://continuing-studies.stanford.edu/ files might all be kept under /afs/ir/dept/csss/WWW/current/ but the web browser (and user) need never see that detail.)

Why not?

If every web location is virtual-hosted, then things get out of hand rather rapidly and what value there is in the ordering of a short URL loses any and all value. While http://continuing-studies.stanford.edu/ has some flow and common sense to it, http://bobsyouruncle.stanford.edu/ does not seem to carry a lot of institutional value with it. Because we are interested in providing a means for departments, registered student organizations, and other clearly established University services and functions to take advantage of a shortened URL space without having to maintain a separate server, we are offering this service. We are not, however, interested in being a quick, cheap, and dirty means of increasing the hostname bloat and namespace pollution on campus in general and this is not, therefore, a just a general service offering to the campus at large.

Note that there are two basic types of virtual hosts:

Redirect:

The virtual host name (for example, http://itservices.stanford.edu/) will simply be redirected to the current actual content site (for example, http://www.stanford.edu/dept/its/).

Proxy

The virtual host name is applied to the Stanford Virtual Host Service servers and the pages are actually served through the proxy server. The actual content server sees all the requests from the proxy and the browser only has contact with the proxy.

More information

More information about virtual hosting can be found at Apache Virtual Host server documentation.

If you have any questions, please submit a HelpSU request or call 5-HELP(4357) with your questions.