DNS Round Robin Configuration using Rsync over SSH
The Apache HTTP Server, commonly referred to simply as Apache, is a web server notable for playing a key role in the initial growth of the World Wide Web. Apache was the first viable alternative to the Netscape Communications Corporation web server (currently known as Sun Java System Web Server), and has since evolved to rival other Unix-based web servers in terms of functionality and performance.
A Few Apache Projects
DNS Round Robin Configuration using Rsync over SSH
The goal is to add the HostGator server to be an exact mirror of the z.askapache.com domain, then to add that server as a 2nd A record to my DNS zone. That way half the visitors to the size will be taking up resources and bandwidth on the HostGator server instead of mine.
Round Robin A records in DNS are intended to evenly distribute queries between each host of the same name. Using some tricks straight out of a hackers toolbox we can verify if the distribution is taking place. (It is.)
Mirroring an Entire Site using Rsync over SSH
Sometimes there is an urgent need for creating an exact duplicate or “mirror” of a web site on a separate server. This could be needed for creating Round Robin Setups, Load-Balancing, Failovers, or for just plain vanilla backups. In the past I have used a lot of different methods to copy data from one server to another, including creating an archive of the whole directory and then using scp to send the file over, creating an archive and then encrypting it and then sending that file over using ftp, curl, etc., and my persistence at learning new ways to do things has paid off because now I use rsync to keep an exact replica of the entire directory on an external server, without having to use all the CPU and resources of other mirroring methods.
Related · rsync mirror · RSS | 7:40 AM
Advanced Htaccess Demo/Example using Cookies, Headers, Rewrites
Whoa pretty sweet huh? Bet you’ve never seen that before! As I explain the htaccess code that achieves this, keep in mind this is merely one simple application for this code. It’s much more advanced than your basic htaccess trick, notice how this htaccess acts like a php script, very unusual.. I really wanted to share this trick after I created it for one of my clients because this is the tip of the iceberg. Another use would be to display an alternate style sheet depending on a users theme preference. The coolest thing about this example IMHO is that it uses multiple advanced .htaccess ideas in order for it to work, most htaccess code on the net is very singular. This code uses mod_headers to set the Content-Disposition header for forcing a download and uses mod_rewrite to do the rest.
Related · pdf · RSS | 11:07 PM
Htaccess SEO Trends by Google
htaccess vs. httpd.conf
Advanced Htaccess – SSI, ErrorDocuments, DirectoryIndexing SEO
3-Part article covering practical implementation of 3 advanced .htaccess features. Discover an easy way to boost your SEO the AskApache way (focus on visitors), a tip you might keep and use for life. Get some cool security tricks to use against spammers, crackers, and other nefarious sorts. Take your site’s error handling to the next level, enhanced ErrorDocuments that go beyond 404’s.
Password Protection Plugin Status
I wanted to address why the update to the AskApache Password Protection plugin didn’t happen pre-2009 as I had hoped.. Mostly due to my job but I thought I could at least fill you in. Oh and this is going to get very boring very fast, unless you’re ready to rumble in the zone.
Related · plugin upgrade · RSS | 1:39 PM
Ultimate Htaccess Guide and .htaccess Tutorial
This is not an introduction to .htaccess… This is the evolution of .htaccess… The BEST, the ORIGINAL, the NEWEST, and the most HIGHEST, FLYEST .htaccess tricks I can find.
Originally known as the “Ultimate .htaccess Guide”, its changed over the years by adding new .htaccess tricks and .htaccess examples to it.. I also add my favorite .htaccess links, the best .htaccess articles on AskApache, the coolest .htaccess experiments, the Web’s best .htaccess hacks, and update this article on the regular.
Related · htaccess file.Htaccess Tutorial about the .htaccess file with advanced examples · RSS | 9:05 AM
Advanced .htaccess Tricks for Securing Sites
This is all new, experimental, and very very cool. It literally uses .htaccess techniques to create several virtual “locked gates” that require a specific key to unlock, in a specific order that cannot be bypassed. It uses whitelisting .htaccess tricks to specify exactly what is allowed, instead of trying to specify everything that isn’t allowed. Also, by setting specific cookies/tokens after successfully passing through a gate, we can then require the exact cookie/token from the previous gate, which stops an attacker from skipping or bypassing gates.
Related · advanced · RSS | 10:28 PM
Apache HTTPD and Module API Versions
A list of API Versions and the corresponding HTTPD Version, for use in determining the version of Apache currently running without having to rely on the often inaccurate SERVER_SOFTWARE Header.
Related · API_VERSION · RSS | 4:35 PM
.htaccess Plugin Blocks Spam, Hackers, and Password Protects Blog
Well what can I say, other than this is sooo DOPE! Here is a list of the modules this plugin (version 4.7 unreleased) will automatically detect. I compiled the list myself using every module included with any default Apache installation for ALL the versions listed below, 1.3 to 2.2+
Want to know something else I’m including in this plugin? For each and every module that is detected, this plugin can then detect ALL of the modules .htaccess Directives! For instance, RewriteRule, AccessFileName, AddHandler, etc.. are each a directive belonging to a module that is allowed to be used from within .htaccess files.
Talk about sick.. these tricks have the diamond disease!
Chmod, Umask, Stat, Fileperms, and File Permissions
Unix file permissions are one of the more difficult subjects to grasp.. Well, ok maybe “grasp” isn’t the word.. Master is the right word.. Unix file permissions is a hard topic to fully master, mainly I think because there aren’t many instances when a computer user encounters them. I’ve done a lot of research on it the past couple weeks… and now here’s everything I’ve learned so far.. cuz you guys AskApache Regs Rock!
.htaccess trick to show Alternate CSS file based on IP
This past week I updated my sites apache.css file for a site-redesign. I wanted to make changes to the .css file that only I could see, so that my regular traffic and site-visitors would still see the old version. Here’s the elegant solution I came up with using .htaccess and mod_rewrite that works so well I’m sharing it with all you wonderful and incredible people reading my blog :)
Optimize a Website for Speed, Security, and Easy Management
Learn how to setup, configure, secure, optimize, and create a low-maintenance website the AskApache way. I’m piecing together all the hacks, tricks, methods, and ideas discussed throughout this blog and all across Netdom and glueing them all together to show you how to have the most optimized, crazy fastest, and best website setup I can think of.
Related · web host · RSS | 8:45 PM
Serve External Javascript Files locally for Increased Speed
One way I speed up AskApache.com is by downloading external third-party javascript files to host on my own server instead of externally. In addition to the obvious speed boost, this lets you configure the caching and compression settings for the files.
Related · external · RSS | 2:55 AM
Mod_Rewrite Variables Cheatsheet
We’ve figured out what mod_rewrite variables look like, a cheatsheet of the actual value.
Related · tutorial · RSS | 1:05 AM
Crazy Advanced Mod_Rewrite Tutorial
Note: Extremely ILL Content
Find the key to unlocking mod_rewrite and you WILL be sick.. sick with a diamond disease on your wrist!
Notes from Apache HTTPD Source Code
thought I’d take a break from coding and post about how open-source is such a great tool for finding the best answers to the toughest questions,
/** is the status code informational */ #define ap_is_HTTP_INFO(x) (((x) >= 100)&&((x) < 200)) /** is the status code OK ?*/ #define ap_is_HTTP_SUCCESS(x) (((x) >= 200)&&((x) < 300)) /** is the status code a redirect */ #define ap_is_HTTP_REDIRECT(x) (((x) >= 300)&&((x) < 400)) /** is the status code a error (client or server) */ #define ap_is_HTTP_ERROR(x) (((x) >= 400)&&((x) < 600)) /** is the status code a client error */ #define ap_is_HTTP_CLIENT_ERROR(x) (((x) >= 400)&&((x) < 500)) /** is the status code a server error */ #define ap_is_HTTP_SERVER_ERROR(x) (((x) >= 500)&&((x) < 600)) /** is the status code a (potentially) valid response code? */ #define ap_is_HTTP_VALID_RESPONSE(x) (((x) >= 100)&&((x) < 600))
Related · httpd · RSS | 3:08 AM
Elite Log File Scrolling with Color Syntax
Scrolls the latest log entries for multiple log files to the current screen or to any other monitor or TTY in color using syntax highlighting, making debugging easier and saving a lot of time for multi-monitor workstations.
Related · apache · RSS | 12:56 AM
Securing php.ini and php.cgi with .htaccess
If you have a php.cgi or php.ini file in your /cgi-bin/ directory or other pub directory, try requesting them from your web browser. If your php.ini shows up or worse you are able to execute your php cgi, you’ll need to secure it ASAP. This shows several ways to secure these files, and other interpreters like perl, fastCGI, bash, csh, etc.
Smart HTTP and HTTPS .htaccess Rewrite
This is freaking sweet if you use SSL I promise you! Basically instead of having to check for HTTPS using a RewriteCond %{HTTPS} =on for every redirect that can be either HTTP or HTTPS, I set an environment variable once with the value “http” or “https” if HTTP or HTTPS is being used for that request, and use that env variable in the RewriteRule.
Related · https · RSS | 12:34 PM
Mod_Security .htaccess tricks
Mod_Security rivals Mod_Rewrite in the amount of features it provides. I decided to go ahead and post what I learned about it today, even though its tough to give away such awesome htaccess and apache tricks.. Learn how to control spam once and for all, conditionally log/deny/allow/redirect requests based on IP, username, etc.. Mod_Security is so fine!
Related · mod_security · RSS | 2:17 AM
.Htaccess rewrites, Mod_Rewrite Tricks and Tips
htaccess rewrite / Mod_Rewrite Tips and Tricks is as glamorous as it sounds! htaccess rewrite mod_rewrite is just possibly one of the most useful Apache modules and features. The ability to rewrite requests internally as well as externally is extremely powerful.
Blocking Bad Bots and Scrapers with .htaccess
Want to block a bad robot or web scraper using .htaccess files? Here are 2 methods that illustrate blocking 436 various user-agents.
Fresh .htaccess Examples: Cookies, Variables, Custom Headers
Fresh .htaccess code for you! Check out the Cookie Manipulation and environment variable usage with mod_rewrite! I also included a couple Mod_Security .htaccess examples. Enjoy!
AskApache Password Protection, For WordPress
AskApache Password Protect adds some serious password protection to your WordPress Blog. Not only does it protect your wp-admin directory, but also your wp-includes, wp-content, plugins, etc. plugins as well. Imagine a HUGE brick wall protecting your frail .php scripts from the endless attacks of automated web robots and password-guessing exploit-serving scripts.
PHP Sessions/Cookies On The Fly
This article shows how to save and modify php session data, cookies, do anything really… without using ajax or iframes or forcing the user make a request.
Advanced HTTP Redirection
Learn about the 7 different HTTP response codes specifically reserved for redirection. 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, and 307.
IP Abuse Detection for DreamHost
Scan Apache logs for IP address that are probably evil, then generates an .htaccess file to DENY them all.
Speed Tips: Add Cache-Control Headers
Using Cache-Control headers you can specify which types of proxies can cache certain content, and how long files should be cached.
Instruct Search Engines to come back to site after you finish working on it
Nifty SEO tip to get Search Engine Bots to check your site every hour until you finish working on it and tell them you are finished.
.htaccess mod_rewrite rewrite examples
A hit-list of some of my favorite mod_rewrite code snippets for .htaccess files
Log all .htaccess/.htpasswd logins
Learn how to log and debug usernames and passwords used to login to a htaccess basic authorization protected website using php. This article is BOSS and will show you how to fully take control of this aspect of security using php and .htaccess, I don’t believe you will find instructions to do this anywhere else on the net.
Related · authorization · RSS | 9:20 PM
Firefox Adsense WordPress Plugin
If your WordPress blog uses AdSense, and you love Firefox you will love this plugin. When a user downloads and installs Firefox through your referral, we’ll credit your account with up to $1.00 (more details).
Related · firefox · RSS | 8:33 PM
Skeleton .htaccess file for Powweb Hosting
If you have a Powweb Webhosting account, you will appreciate this simple skeleton .htaccess file for use on their systems.
Related · .htaccess · RSS | 5:05 AM
SetEnvIf and SetEnvIfNoCase Examples
SetEnvIf and SetEnvIfNoCase directives conditionally set environment variables accessible by scripts and apache based on HTTP Headers, Variables, and Request information.
Related · SetEnvIfNoCase · RSS | 1:36 PM
Apache Environment Variables CGI Script
My improved version of the common printenv / test-cgi scripts for debugging Apache environment variables set in .htaccess files
HTTP Status Codes and .htaccess ErrorDocuments
There are a total of 57 HTTP Status Codes recognized by the Apache Web Server. Wouldn’t you like to see what all those headers and their output, ErrorDocuments look like?
301 Redirect Cheatsheet
Ultimate Redirect Cheatsheet for multiple programming languages. Redirecting Users with Javascript redirect, meta refresh redirect, and php redirect, also htaccess methods, python, coldfusion, asp, perl, etc.
A better way to use PDF files online
.htaccess and php example serves .pdf files to give visitors the choice to open in an external program or save to disk without having to open it in the browser
PDF Before and after Fix – Firefox
Apache Directives and Modules on DreamHost
Apache .htaccess Directives and Loaded Modules allowed on DreamHost Apache Server 2 Setups.
Related · htaccess · RSS | 7:23 AM
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- Student under Criminal Investigation for Allegedly Sending Email
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- Advanced Htaccess – SSI, ErrorDocuments, DirectoryIndexing SEO
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