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CIS 451: Servers, CGI and Log Files
Dr. Ralph D. WestfallJanuary, 2009
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Server Functions deliver files to users manage files that users are
requesting example: "could not be found."
server side processing run ASP, PHP and CGI scripts write and/or read databases
search engines shopping carts customer services e.g., for credit card accounts
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Server Functions-2 security
owner: can write or delete files on server user has:
read access to html files execute access to "script" files maybe password-protected access to
files
tracking activity "log files"
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Server Options your own server at your location
phone DSL, T1, cable connection, etc. colocation: your server at their location
high speed access to nearby Internet node you are responsible for technical issues
hosting: their server at their location host takes care of most technical issues
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Popular Server Software Windows Server 2008 (humor) Apache
has some technical advantages is free (open source like Linux) has largest share of market (52%) is the server on Cal Poly Intranet LAMP: Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP
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CGI Common Gateway Interface (CGI)
is a standard for interfacing applications with servers
is what people used before ASP CGI applications are triggered by users'
inputs from browsers provides capabilities that HTML
doesn't database read and write complex calculations/data manipulation security
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CGI "Scripting" Languages interpreted
UNIX shell scripts (like DOS bat files) Perl, Python and PHP other scripting languages
compiled C/C++ programs other executables
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CGI on a Search Engine browser requests URL from server
http://www.google.com/search?q=free server runs the requested script script calls program to access
database database returns data to a script script writes data into a web page server sends this page to browser
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Passing Information to CGI essentially same as for HTML form
sending data to ASP.NET <form action="cgi-bin/script.pl"
method="get"> "get" appends data to URL (URL encoding) .pl is common extension for Perl files
<form action="cgi-bin/script.pl" method="post"><!- different route ->
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Using CGI Scripts server must allow you to run scripts
poorly written scripts vulnerable to hackers load script in appropriate directory
usually /cgi-bin set permissions (Cal Poly) so file is executable
chmod 755 (read and execute) in UNIX (right click on file or directory in WS_FTP)
may also need to set write permissions for data files (put them in a different directory)
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ASP vs. CGI Scripts ASP much easier to use (.NET less so) ASP is growing faster ASP is less powerful (.NET better) not all ISPs offer ASP capabilities
UNIX servers need additional software to run ASP or ASP.NET
market pressures on ISPs to offer ASP (almost always through IIS, not Apache)
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Server Log Files HTTP offers extensive capabilities
for tracking users/site visitors HTTP logging stores information
when file requested browser name/version referring URL (where user came from)
search engine key words to find your site
user's IP address
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Logging Terminology hits (# of files requested) vs.
visitors impressions (CPM)
how many visitors possibly adjusted for length of visit
("stickiness" of site) click-throughs
CTR (click-through rate) average "click rate" is less than 0.5%
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Log File Analysis Reports how long visitor stayed on page and site most popular visit times referring URL which page on your web site visited first page that went to from your web site country (2 characters ending on IP
address) .ca=Canada, .fr=France, .kr=Korea
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Free Log File Analysis Services Webstat (free),
cut and paste JavaScript into your site adds a small logo
provides extensive statistics current month historical
GoStats eXTReMe Tracking most popular free?
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Implications of Log Data? page design
good pages, bad pages types of customers
keywords to emphasize in page content
marketing techniques referring pages
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Exercise 1a search for log file analysis software
or services post discussion list report on findings
number of free, cost range for not free? free vs. not free reports available? other useful features? web-based or need to install on own
server?
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Exercise 1b sign up for free hit counter/log
analysis and install it on one of your web pages
post discussion list report ease of use information requested (# of boxes to fill
in, # of pages to complete sign-up) how good were the installation
instructions any other issues
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Income from Web Advertising impressions
CPM (cost per 1000) typical rates $10 - $30/1000 visitors
need to have at least 10,000 visitors/month click-throughs commissions on sales, e.g. Amazon
up to 15% on sales of specified items other "affiliate programs" (link) web income calculator
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Exercise 2 search for information on affiliate
programs find one that looks either very bad
or very good look for: rip-offs, outrageous scams,
etc. post discussion list report
reason it was bad or good product, payment scheme other issues
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Exercise 3 find a map that shows locations of
major Internet nodes needs to show in relation to an
understandable map or find a list of names of cities that
have major Internet nodes are these hard to find?
why?