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Servers and Servlet Engines for findinsite-js
Introduction
You need a suitable server to run findinsite-js because it is a Java Servlet.
A Java Servlet is a program that is run by your server in response to a request from a browser,
ie a search request in the case of findinsite-js. A Java Servlet produces HTML output
with the desired information.
Most servers need an add on Java servlet engine or Java application server
to be able to run servlets.
Note that you can test out findinsite-js on your own computer using a free or trial servlet engine
as described below.
Can our server run Java Servlets?
If you want to run findinsite-js, your server must be able to run Java Servlets.
This usually means having a servlet engine installed.
Contact your webmaster or ISP to see if it has this capability already.
- Most Microsoft Internet Information Server (IIS) servers are not set up
to run Java Servlets.
- Apache servers are more likely to be able to run Java Servlets, but this is
an option that may not have been installed by many Apache webmasters.
- Most Netscape servers are not set up to run Java Servlets.
- Most "application servers" provide Java Servlet functionality out of the box.
We have a servlet engine installed - what next?
If you have one of these Java servlet engines installed, then you can jump straight
to our findinsite-js deployment instructions...
For other servlet engines, consult our general deployment instructions.
OH NO! Our server does not run Java Servlets
DON'T DESPAIR!
Almost all servers can be enhanced to support Java Servlets.
Most servers can support Java Servlets, if they have a Java servlet engine installed.
See our product list below.
When you contact your webmaster or ISP, ask them if they are willing to install Java Servlet
support. It might help if you could recommend a solution for them,
eg Apache server webmasters might be more likely to install the Apache Tomcat or JServ servlet engine,
rather than another purchased option.
DRAT! Our webmaster or ISP does not want to use a Java Servlet Engine
Your webmaster or ISP may not want to install a servlet engine, for cost or hassle reasons.
In this case, why not set up a new domain hosted by an ISP that does support Java servlets.
findinsite-js running on this new domain will be able to index and seach your main web site.
What features do you want in a new server/ISP?
If you decide to get a new server or ISP hosted solution, Java Servlet capability will
obviously be on your required feature list.
You must also assess how responsive the webmaster or ISP is to support questions.
Do they already know about running Java Servlets?
Sun's list of servlet resources java.sun.com/products/servlet/resources.html
may help you find a suitable ISP.
servlets.com has an ISP list.
If you want any detailed advice or suggestions, please contact us.
Controlling your servlets
When choosing a new server or ISP, you will want to assess how easy it is to
control your servlet engine.
Once findinsite-js is up and running, it should
run continuously without any intervention from you, your webmaster or ISP.
However, in the setting-up phase, being able to install and configure
Java Servlets yourself may be desirable. Alternatively, you may be
happy to leave the installation and initial configuration of findinsite-js
to your webmaster or ISP - in this case point them to our
servlet engine and findinsite-js
installation instructions
(or the online versions for
servlet engine and
findinsite-js.)
As an example, the commercial product Macromedia JRun
provides a browser-based "JRun Management Console".
Similarly, IBM WebSphere
has a browser-based "Administrative Console", and
BEA WebLogic Server
has a browser-based "Admin Console".
However the free
Apache JServ must be controlled by editing
property files, etc.
Server and Servlet engine list
Some web servers are able to run Java servlets out of the box.
However, for many others, you need to install a Java servlet engine.
Click on this link for a Sun
list of servlet engines and Servlet-enabled web servers
http://java.sun.com/products/servlet/industry.html
.
Here is a list of known tools and their claimed support.
See below for an explanation of the terms used in this table.
PHD does not vouch for this information or make any recommendation.
Please advise us if findinsite-js runs satisfactorily (or not) in any tool.
| Product |
Type |
Servlet
web
server |
JSDK |
Configuration |
Operating systems |
Servers supported |
Tested with findinsite-js |
Apache JServ
java.apache.org
free
|
servlet engine |
no |
2.0 |
Edit property files
Manual restart
|
Unix/Linux
(Windows) |
Apache
|
Yes
- Red Hat Linux 6.2, JServ 1.1.2
Connected to Apache 1.3.12
- Windows 2000, JServ 1.1.2
Standalone and connected to Apache 1.3.12
|
Apache Tomcat
tomcat.apache.org
free
|
servlet engine |
yes |
2.2/2.3/2.4/2.5 |
Web Application Manager
Edit property files
Manual restart
Auto reload of servlets
Can deploy Web Applications
|
Unix/Linux
(Windows) |
Apache
|
Yes
- Tomcat/2.1
- Windows 2000, Tomcat 3.1, Standalone
- Windows XP, Tomcat/4.0.1, Standalone
- Windows XP, Tomcat/4.1.12, Standalone
- Windows XP, Tomcat/6.0.14, Standalone
- Red Hat Linux 7.3, Tomcat/4.1.12, Apache
|
| BEA WebLogic Server 7.0 |
application server /
servlet engine |
yes |
2.3 |
Browser-based "Admin Console" |
Windows NT/2000, Sun Solaris, Hewlett-Packard HP-UX, RedHat Linux, RedHat Linux AS 2.1, IBM AIX, SuSE Linux on s/390 and zSeries
|
|
Yes
|
| Borland Enterprise Server Web, VisiBroker and AppServer Editions |
application server /
servlet engine |
yes |
2.3 |
"Borland Management Console" |
?
|
|
Yes
|
| EzWebTools Lightweight Servlet Engine/1.0 |
servlet engine |
|
2.2 |
browser-based interface |
|
|
Yes
|
| IBM WebSphere Application Server 4.0 |
application server /
servlet engine |
yes |
2.2 |
Browser-based "Administrative Console" |
Linux, Windows NT4, Windows 2000 |
IBM HTTP Server, Apache
|
Yes
- Windows 2000, Connected to IBM HTTP Server
|
iMatix Servlet Runner
beta 3 |
servlet engine |
|
2.0 |
|
|
Xitami
|
Yes
|
Macromedia JRun
www.macromedia.com
|
servlet engine |
yes |
2.2 |
Browser-based "JRun Management Console"
Can deploy Web Applications
|
Windows
UNIX
Linux |
Apache
IIS 3.0/PWS
IIS 4.0/5.0
Netscape/iPlanet
WebSite Pro
Java-Based Web Servers
Zeus Web Server
|
Yes
|
Sun Java System
Web Server
|
servlet engine |
yes |
2.3 |
Browser-based administration
Can deploy Web Applications
|
Windows
Solaris
Linux
AIX
HP-UX |
|
Yes
|
Sun Java System
Application Server
|
servlet engine |
yes |
2.3 |
Browser-based Admin Console
Can deploy Web Applications
|
Windows
Solaris
Linux |
|
Yes
|
| Java Servlet Development Kit |
|
Finally, if you are Java programmer, the
Java Servlet Development Kit (JSDK) may contain a servlet engine (and servlet web server)
that you can use to test servlets. Get the
JSDK from Sun.
|
Glossary
| Term | Explanation |
| JSDK |
Java Servlet Development Kit
findinsite-js runs in all JSDK 2.0 or later versions.
However it takes advantage of some features in JSDK 2.1 and JSDK 2.2.
|
| Property files |
Text files that define how the servlet engine works or how each servlet is configured.
|
| Servlet Web Server |
Some servlet engines include a web server that allows you to test servlets
without connecting them up a main server. See Standalone or connected
|
| Standalone or connected |
If a servlet engine has a servlet web server, then it can respond directly to
servlet requests, ie they work standalone.
For most production use, a servlet engine is connected to a "real" main web server
that handles the bulk of web page requests, diverting only servlet requests
to the servlet engine.
|
| Web Application |
A Web Application is a complete servlet with its initial configuration
and data, bundled into an archive WAR file.
It should be straightforward to install/deploy a Web Application.
findinsite-js is supplied as a Web Application.
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Testing findinsite-js on your computer
You can test findinsite-js in a servlet engine on your own computer for free,
without even having a server available.
Apache Tomcat and JServ are free.
Macromedia JRun has a 30-day trial development version.
IBM WebSphere has a 60-day trial version.
BEA WebLogic Server has a trial version.
Sun Java System Web Server and Application Server have free and trial versions.
The free Java Servlet Development Kit from Sun may include
a servlet engine.
Installing these servlet engines is fairly painless. Refer to the
Installation pages for some guidance.
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