Plug-ins are programs that add functionality to your Web Server. They act like CGI (Common Gateway Interface) scripts but are faster and more efficient. You can purchase plug-ins from software vendors or download them from the Internet.
This section tells you
About plug-ins
How to install plug-ins
How to set aside memory for plug-ins
How to change plug-in settings
How to view the plug-in log file
Web plug-ins are programs that add functionality to your Web Server.
Plug-ins must reside in the Plug-Ins folder inside the default
Web folder (defined on the Web Server Settings page) on the server.
Some of the functionality provided by plug-ins includes
•
using AppleShare IP Remote Admin
•
running multiple Web sites on a single server
•
recording the number of visitors to your Web pages
•
processing forms
•
accessing databases such as customer lists or product catalogs
•
conducting onscreen chats
•
authenticating users
•
letting users search for information on your Web site
AppleShare IP works with WebSTAR API 1.2-compatible plug-ins.
To install a plug-in, follow the instructions that came with the plug-in software. If no directions came with the software, drag the plug-in to the Plug-Ins folder inside the default Web folder on your server.
IMPORTANT: For security, you should set explicit access privileges to the Plug-Ins folder to prevent users from changing the contents of the folder or downloading plug-in files. Set the User/Group and Everyone category in the Plug-In folder's Privileges window to "None." See Setting explicit access privileges.
All of the plug-ins in the Plug-Ins folder load when your Web server starts up. The documentation that came with your plug-in should tell you how much memory the plug-in needs.
IMPORTANT: Do not use the Web & File Server's Get Info dialog box to adjust the memory set aside for plug-ins. Instead, follow the instructions in this section.
To set aside memory for plug-ins, follow these steps: Click the Web server button.
1
Log on to AppleShare IP Remote Admin.
2
3
In the Server Settings list, click Web Plug-Ins.
4
Increase the number in the "Maximum Plug-in Memory Usage" box
by the amount of memory that your plug-in requires.
To increase this number, click the up arrow. The number should
be at least as large as the sum of required memory for all plug-ins
in the Plug-Ins folder. (See Changing plug-in settings.)
5
Click the Save button.
Your changes take effect after you stop and start the Web & File
Server program. You should do this when you're sure no one is
using the server. You'll need to go to the server to start it
again.
You can control which plug-ins are used and turn plug-in logging on or off .
To change Web plug-in settings, follow these steps: Click the Web server button.
1
Log on to AppleShare IP Remote Admin.
2
3
In the Server Settings list, click Web Plug-Ins.
4
Make sure plug-ins are turned on. The Enable Plug-ins checkbox
should be selected.
5
To allow plug-ins to record a log of events, select the box labeled
Enable Plug-in Logging.
6
To activate any special preprocessing, postprocessing, or error-handling
plug-ins, type the path to the plug-in on the Web & File Server,
starting with the Plug-Ins folder name and separating folder names
by colons. For example:
<plug-ins folder name>: <folder name>: <postprocessor plug-in
file name>
Some special plug-ins include the following:
•
Preprocessor plug-ins examine requests for information before
your Web Server acts on them. For example, the plug-in might display
a password dialog box.
•
Postprocessor plug-ins manipulate information after a Web Server
request has been processed–for example, by finding information
about internal links the most recent visitor activated.
•
Error plug-ins process information about problems such as "file
not found" errors. They might record the error in a log and send
a message to the user suggesting what to do.
7
Click the Save button.
Your changes take effect after you stop and start the Web & File
Server program. You should do this when you're sure no one is
using the server. You'll need to go to the server to restart it.
Plug-ins can store information about what happens when they run. This information is stored in a text file called Plug-In Messages.
To view the plug-in messages, follow these steps:
| 1 | Log on to AppleShare IP Remote Admin. |
| 2 |
Click the Web server button.
|
| 3 | Click the Logs button. |
| 4 | In the Logs list, click Plug-In Messages. |
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