User manual

14 Chapter 1 Web Technologies Overview
Since web service in Mac OS X Server is based on Apache, you can add advanced
features with plug-in modules. Apache modules allow you to add support for Simple
Object Access Protocol (SOAP), Java, and CGI languages such as Python.
Key Web Components
Web technologies in Mac OS X Server consist of several key components, which
provide a flexible and scalable server environment.
Apache Web Server
Apache is an open source HTTP web server that administrators can configure with the
Server Admin application.
Apache has a modular design, and the set of modules enabled by default is adequate
for most uses. Server Admin can control a few optional modules. Experienced Apache
users can add or remove modules and modify the server code. For information about
modules, see “Apache Modules” on page 71.
Apache version 1.3 is installed in Mac OS X Server. Apache version 2 is provided with
the server software for evaluation purposes; it is located in /opt/apache2/.
WebDAV
Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) is particularly useful for
updating content on a website. Users who have WebDAV access to the server can open
files, make changes or additions, and save those revisions.
You can also use the realms capability of Apache to control access to WebDAV folders
containing all or part of a website’s content.
You can also use WebDAV as if it were a file server, so that authorized users in different
locations and on different platforms can read, copy, post, and modify files on a website.
For more about using WebDAV for file sharing, see “Using WebDAV to Share Files” on
page 45.
CGI Support
The Common Gateway Interface (CGI) provides a means of interaction between the
server and clients. For example, CGI scripts allow users to place an order for a product
offered on a website or submit responses to information requests.
You can write CGI scripts in any of several scripting languages, including Perl and
Python. The folder /Library/WebServer/CGI-Executables is the default location for CGI
scripts.