This page is primarily for our system users, who include faculty and students.
Using the facilities of our Apache web server, we currently have three web hierarchies. These are:
Our users may have user pages in any or all of these hierarchies, provided that those user pages are consistent with acceptable use policies and are reasonably compatible with our educational mission.
Our main hierarchy has pages whose URL begins with "http://www.cs.niu.edu/". Technically, the pages are currently on the machine oldmp.cs.niu.edu. However, depending on our other needs, we might move the main hierarchy elsewhere, still maintaining its current name (technically a CNAME alias).
User pages in this hierarchy are stored in the directory "/home/www/user/public_html" on our unix systems. Physically, this directory is on the server oldmp.cs.niu.edu, but it is also accessible from other systems in our unix network.
Under current practice, the directory "/home/www/user" is not automatically created. Users may contact the unix system administrator to request such a directory.
Users are permitted to use CGI scripts under this hierarchy, provided that they are used safely and wisely. Such a script must be stored in the directory "/home/www/user/public_html/cgi-bin" and must have suitable permissions. Scripts will be run under the permissions of that user.
Users may not change access rules. Any ".htaccess" files will be ignored.
Our secure web hierarchy has pages whose URL begins with "https://www.cs.niu.edu/". Note that this begins with "https" rather than "http". When your browser sees a URL beginning with "https" it will attempt to connect to port 443, instead of port 80. It will also expect to negotiate encryption. All pages and data transferred in the hierarchy are sent encrypted.
To facilitate the use of encryption, you should install the CS.NIU.EDU Certification Authority certificate. Otherwise you will see warnings whenever you attempt to access these pages.
Users may have home pages under this hierarchy. The page should be setup in the directory "/home/www/user/secure_html" on our unix network.
In this hierarchy it is possible to use a ".htaccess" file to control access to certain pages by means of a password. However, such controls will not limit access of other users who can log into unix and examine those files.
For the projects hierarchy, the url should begin with "http://oldmp.cs.niu.edu/". Note the use of the machine name "oldmp" rather than "www". We are using the name based virtual hosting facilities of our Apache server to make this distinction.
This hierarchy is primarily for use in class projects that require setting up web pages. The restrictions on access are intended to provide a small amount of protection. For example, pages in this hierarchy are unlikely to show up in search engines. The hierarchy may also be useful to others who are testing pages before moving them to our main hierarchy.
User home pages in this hierarchy may be created in the directory /home/www/usr/semester_html, where the word semester is to be replaced by something like spr07 or sum07 or fall07 depending on which semester in 2007, and with comparable names in later years.
Access to user pages in this hierarchy is available from on-campus without a password. Access from off campus will require a name and password. Details are to be worked out. Please note that this will not be your unix login password. It may be a class password assigned to a class involved in a web project, with the password announced in class by the instructor.
Users may have cgi scripts. Those scripts must be in the directory /home/www/user/semester_html/cgi-bin and must be owned by the particular user. Any scripts are executed with the permissions of the user (owner of the script).