HomeDoor 2.0 User's Guide

Getting Started

 

This chapter covers basic information to help you get started with HomeDoor. In-depth coverage of these issues can be found in the HomeDoor Reference, Admin Reference and Appendixes.

 

System Requirements

 

Installing HomeDoor

If you know for sure that you will only be using one method or the other, you need only install software for that method. See the section below for the method you will use, plus the "Either Method" section. If you're not sure at this point, you will probably want to install for both methods, so the software is in place if you decide you need it.

 

Upgrading from HomeDoor 1.2

HomeDoor 2.0 is fully backwards-compatible with HomeDoor 1.2. That is, if you are using HomeDoor 1.2, you should be able to install 2.0 without having any effect on your current operations (with one possible exception, noted below). In fact, the HomeDoor 2.0 upgrade does not include a new HomeDoor extension -- just keep using your current extension for browser-independent redirection.

HomeDoor's new host field mapping method is implemented through the new plug-in and the new Admin application. These pieces should not interfere with previous functionality in any way AS LONG AS you use the mapping method's default error handling preferences. You can simply add new host names via host field mapping as indicated in the Host Field Mapping section of the Admin Reference.

If, however, you do not use the mapping method's default error handling preferences, there are potential side effects on browser-independent redirection which you should be aware of. Error handling is discussed in detail in the Error Configuration section of the Admin Reference.

You may wish to change some of your current virtual Web servers from the old redirection implementation to host field mapping. The details of how to do this are in the Changing Methods appendix.

 

Which Method?

Before configuring HomeDoor, it will be helpful to decide which method you want to use with each virtual server you'll implement. There are certain situations where you must use a particular method, and other situations where you can use either (but never both for a particular virtual server). You can choose methods on a domain-by-domain basis.

You must use browser-independent redirection if:

You must use host field mapping if:

In other situations, you may choose between the two methods on a domain-by-domain basis. The tradeoffs are summarized in the Method Tradeoffs section of the HomeDoor Reference.

 

Anatomy of a URL

Figure 1 below illustrates the components of a URL. You will find the terminology useful in the remainder of this user's guide.

Figure 1. URL components

 

Pre-Configuration Tasks

We assume in this section that we want to implement two virtual servers, one for company X and one for company Y. Detailed examples are found in the Setup Example: Browser-Independent Redirection and Setup Example: Host Field Mapping appendixes.

Common Tasks for Either Method:

Browser-Independent Redirection Method:

Host Field Mapping Method:

 

Configuring For Browser-Independent Redirection

Configuring For Host Field Mapping

 

Activating HomeDoor


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