Synopsis:
WebLamp: Small-scale shared PHP/MySQL web environment for departments

Solution:
OIT, in response to requests for a cost effective way for departments to run their own web-based applications, provides a range of "LAMP" (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) service options for web hosting. The details in this solution are intended to assist departmental technical staff in determining whether OIT's shared WebLamp service is appropriate for the needs of their department.

Small-scale Shared WebLamp service
The service is offered at no charge, and is appropriate for departments engaged in the business of the University. It is designed for small web applications that have low network bandwidth requirements and are not CPU-intensive. To qualify for this free service, hosted web applications must be able to coexist on a shared server with many other departmental web sites. Departments are responsible for their web design and development work. WebLamp/dotNET services are primarily intended for Princeton faculty and staff. Students and/or student groups are not eligible to own WebLamp/dotNET accounts without approval from a Dean.

WebLamp service provides:

• An account with up to 500 MB of disk space
• A local web alias for each account (https://weblamp.princeton.edu/user-chosen-alias)
• Both http and https (SSL) capability
• Availability of PHP, perl, and python languages
• A MySQL database for each account
• A copy of phpMyAdmin installed for managing the MySQL database over the web
• Identical accounts on two identical servers used for application development/version testing, and production
• OIT systems administration for operating and web system software patches and security fixes
• TSM nightly backups of file system and databases

WebLamp service is offered using two alternative methodologies:

1. WebLamp STANDARD service
All users of the standard WebLamp service share the same web server application (Apache with PHP), database application (MySQL), and standard configuration settings for both of those applications.

2. WebLamp ENHANCED service
Users of enhanced WebLamp service receive all of the above features of the standard service, plus:

• A vanity address of their choice with the URL http://chosen-name.princeton.edu
• A private instance of the web server application (apache with PHP), ready-to-go with a default configuration that is fully configurable by the owner
• An official Thawte certificate for https (SSL) security installed for each account on the production server
• A private instance of the database application (MySQL), ready-to-go with a default configuration that is fully configurable by the owner and enhanced by an integrated instance of phpMyAdmin
• The option of registering with an OIT "nanny" program that will automatically restart either or both of the web server application and database application in the event they cease functioning
• Authorization to use an OIT web control program that can start or stop their personalized web server application or database application with the click of a button
• Web and database statistics gathering, with results viewable on the web

While OIT does not charge for WebLamp enhanced service, the nature of the accounts requires the user to assume one possible cost -- two IP addresses that currently cost a total of $26 per month unless the Department is exempt from hostname charges. For a detailed description of OIT's charging structure, see: Tigernet: Explanation of new network charging and elimination of billing.

The shared server approach is not for everyone. Depending upon the type of application the department needs to host, OIT may recommend the department use a different resource or a dedicated server. For those interested, OIT also offers free accounts on a Web scripting learning environment called WebScript. WebScript provides a place to learn Web scripting (PHP, perl, MySQL, etc.) on a Linux-based shared server. For more information, please see Solution 9732.

Any requirements for special software or other special needs will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. For more information, send e-mail to Dave Herrington at daveh@princeton.edu. If your department would like to request the WebLamp service, please use the WebLamp Online Request Form at http://weblamp.princeton.edu/weblampform.

WebLamp Blog
To present solutions for WebLamp problems as well as other information that WebLamp service users may find worthwhile, see http://blogs.princeton.edu/weblamp.

New URLs to Control Your WebLamp Services
All WebLamp ENHANCED (aka PRIVATE) accounts contain a production server of your chosen hostname, which is associated with weblamp.princeton.edu, and a development server of your chosen hostname (-dev), which is associated with weblamp-dev.princeton.edu

• To control your production server go to: https://weblamp.princeton.edu/controller
• To control your development server go to: https://weblamp-dev.princeton.edu/controller

Both URLs will require that you log in, using your web hosting netID. Then buttons will appear that will enable you to Start or Stop your apache web server and your mysql database server. There is also a new link in the left margin labeled "Change your settings". This link will enable you to change your nanny settings. Clicking it and then clicking the "Edit" button will present a screen on which you can tell the nanny program whether or not to re-start your apache or mysql server programs when they go down. The nanny program is discussed more in:
http://blogs.princeton.edu/weblamp/2007/03/weblamp_messages_error_messages_and_the_nanny.html

Related Links:

• Web Publishing: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)