One of the unfortunate casualties of the transformation of the Novell network operating system from NetWare to Linux was no update to the Apache MOD_EDIR module. MOD_EDIR provides eDirectory services for the Apache Web server running on NetWare, enabling the Apache Web server to access HTML content stored in the Novell NetWare network and thus, enables users to publish Web pages.
With no update or equivalent offering for Novell Open Enterprise Server, administrators with users needing the ability to publish Web content were, until recently, required to look to more complex workarounds such as deploying an Apache Web Server and configuring and maintaining it.
Now Condrey Corporation has introduced Pointspin – a solution that provides not only all of the longed-for simplicity of Web publishing for Novell Open Enterprise Server environments, but significant management and Web publication automation capabilities designed to simplify not only Web publication but all of the Web server administration as well.
Pointspin enables users and groups to easily publish and host Websites from the confines of their server-based network storage. With Pointspin, the process of publishing Websites is as simple as a user placing Website content to a designated folder. Once placed, the new or updated Web content is immediately published.
How Pointspin Works
Pointspin authenticates to the network directory service (Microsoft Active Directory or Novell eDirectory) and the associated network file system through a proxy account. Once authenticated, Pointspin is able to access any Website content to be published in the PUBLIC_HTML subfolder in a user’s or group’s home folder, or a folder manually assigned to a group.
If Web content resides in the subfolder, the Pointspin Engine serves it up by assigning a URL based on the Webserver name and user home folder or group home folder name. For example, the URL for Web content located in a user home folder would be: http://www.domainname.com/~username.
If the user or group wants to restrict access to the Website, access rules are established using the .psaccess file where users are defined.
Components
Pointspin has just two main components—the Pointspin Engine and the administrative interface. The administrative interface lets you set up the proxy account, user index, URL and other configuration settings. The Pointspin Engine includes an encapsulated Webserver that significantly reduces the configuration and management headaches that are all too common with other Webservers. The Pointspin Engine is deployed quickly and securely, and the Engine rarely requires post-installation management.
Static Web pages are published automatically through the Pointspin Engine by simply placing Website content in the Public_html subfolder of a user’s or group’s home folder.
Expanded Capabilities through Novell Storage Manager
When you deploy Pointspin into a network running Novell Storage Manager, you can simplify or enhance the capabilities of Pointspin. For example, Novell Storage Manager can:
- Create the PUBLIC_HTML subfolders automatically in all of the user and group home folders you want
- Set consistent rights on these subfolders
- Provision an HTML template for a user or group to use for their Web page
- Host Web content that resides in Novell Storage Manager Auxiliary Storage locations
Licensing
Pointspin licensing is per Directory Services tree with unlimited use for users, groups, and storage in the given tree. An eDirectory installation and an Active Directory installation at the same organization are different trees and require an additional license.
For more information, visit www.condreycorp.com/pointspin or contact Condrey Corporation at info@condreycorp.com.
