- What is the difference between Linux/Apache (LAMP), Windows and Java accounts?
The three platforms differ in the scripting and web application options they offer and in the way you manage and publish to your site.
- The Linux/Apache (LAMP) platform provides easy customer administration of the site via the Plesk Control Panel, access to PHP scripting, MySQL databases and the ability to run open source web applications, such as Drupal, WordPress, MediaWiki.
- The Windows platform supports ASP.NET scripting.
- The Java platform offers a rich web application development environment for customers interested in building custom web applications using Apache Tomcat or Oracle Weblogic. The Platinum service level fee entails hosting of a Java account on the Java platform, which includes the overall maintenance and upkeep of the system. However, labor performed that is specific to the application (debugging, deployments) is charged directly to the customer requiring additional support.
- What is LAMP?
See our Linux/Apache-specific FAQ.
- What is a domain name?
A domain name is a unique web address, or URL, that directs users to your site from any web browser. Most domain names follow the naming convention of mysite.wisc.edu
- Can I get a domain name in .com, .net or .org?
Yes, see our Selecting URL's page for details.
- Can I switch my existing site over to the Shared Hosting service?
Yes. To accomplish this, we first create the space for the web site on one of our servers under a "preview URL" that allows the customer to view it and publish to it. When the new site is set up as the customer wishes, we schedule a DNS move with the Campus Hostmasters, so that the primary URL for the site now resolves to the site on our server. The entire process is transparent to the site's users.
- Can I host additional domains as part of one web account?
Yes.
- Are there any bandwidth limits?
Your account comes with unlimited bandwidth for both web traffic and the publishing of content.
- Can I use NetID login service with my web account?
Yes. Customers who wish to incorporate NetID login service will require an SSL connection and therefore require an SSL certificate as provided by the Office of Campus Information Security (OCIS).
- What is SSL?
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a method of encrypting the data transferred to and from a web site to prevent outside parties from gaining access to that information. SSL is most often used when web sites require users to submit sensitive information via web forms or when a login is required to view portions of the site.
- How much disk space do I receive?
Initial disk space is allotted according to the Service Level chosen by the customer. Additional space is available at a rate of $10/month per gigabyte. For customers who have much larger disk space requirements please contact webhosting@doit.wisc.edu with those details and we can provide volume pricing options.
- What kind of access is provided to publish content to my site?
Access to publish content is provided via Secure FTP. Secure FTP applications such as Secure FX (for Windows) and Fugu (for Mac), can be downloaded for free of charge. Access is restricted to the UW Campus, if connecting from an off campus location or using the UW Wireless one will first need to connect to the Virtual Private Network with NetID.
- Can I use open source applications?
Yes. See our Linux/Apache-specific FAQ for details.
- Do you offer any Web search options?
Yes. We recommend to our customers the use of the Google Custom Search Engine, a free and highly-effective way to incorporate site-specific searching. However the web hosting team has the "Zoom" search engine available for specialized searches. This is useful for sites who wish to index password protected directories or schedule indexing at a particular time/schedule.
- Do you offer E-mail Web Form processing?
Yes. We have applications available that can process web form input and submits that information via email. Sites with scripting capability have a much wider variety of options in forms and webmail.
- Can I password protect portions of my web site?
You can password protect any directories on your site. In the Linux/Apache (LAMP) environment, password protection can be be configured by the customer from the Plesk Control Panel. Windows platform customers can request directory password protection by contacting the Shared Web Hosting Team directly.
- Do you offer a test web site in addition to production?
Yes. All web accounts include a test site for use at the customer's discretion.
- What databases are available?
Customers on the Linux/Apache (LAMP) platform can utilize one or more MySQL databases and also connect to external Oracle databases (separate service fee applies) provided by DoIT's Data Resource Management Technology group. Windows and Java platform customers can also connect to Oracle databases (separate service fee applies). Also a MS SQL database offering from DoIT's Data Resource Management Technology (DRMT) group is in the works.
For further details, see our Database Usage page.
- Do you offer hosting to applications that handle restricted data?
Yes. The Shared Hosting Service has designated hosting platforms that are specifically designed to secure data that is restricted, as defined by OCIS: http://www.cio.wisc.edu/security/initiatives/restricted.aspx
These platforms are more secure for several reasons:
- All reside on the "Designated Restricted Data Subnet(s)" for the DoIT platform and have much more restrictive hardware and software firewall rules in place. For example, Secure FTP publishing access is exclusive to the static IP's of the developer(s) who need access.
- Additional security-based software tools (Cisco Security Agent, TripWire, etc..) monitor the restricted data platforms.
- The use of certificates and SSL to encrypt data between the client and server is required for all sites.
- Each web application is segregated or zoned off from the others. For example, on the Windows/IIS platform each application has its own distinct application pools/users and IUSR accounts, so that permissions can be highly granular.
Customers who need to handle restricted data are required to sign up for Platinum Level service. In addition, before the shared hosting account is created, the Office of Campus Information Security (OCIS) will contact the customer and set up a consultation with OCIS staff.
- Do I have access to web usage statistics or raw log files for my site?
Yes. Linux/Apache (LAMP) customers have access to the logs and reports provided by AWstats via the Plesk Control Panel. Windows customers have access to the logs and web usage statistics provided by Analog web log file analyzer.
- Do you provide storage backups so that web site file(s) can be restored if needed?
Yes. We have mirrored storage backups of all customer web content. We maintain copies for sixty days and two versions of any file.
- Are customized error page return documents available?
Yes. You can create custom error pages that can be tailored for specific http status codes for your site. (Examples: 404 File Not Found, 403 Forbidden, etc)
