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Date:      Fri, 16 Apr 1999 23:40:13 +1200
From:      "Dan Langille" <junkmale@xtra.co.nz>
To:        peter kok <peter@sweda.com.hk>
Cc:        questions@FreeBSD.ORG
Subject:   Re: virtual websites
Message-ID:  <19990416114150.CHIR5596385.mta1-rme@wocker>
In-Reply-To: <371720AF.3B16BA3C@sweda.com.hk>

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On 16 Apr 99, at 19:36, peter kok wrote:

> what is the 'virtual websites'?
> and what is the function and advantage about 'virtual websites'

When something is referred to as "virtual", it generally means there is an 
ability to host or emulate more things than actually physically exist.  
For example, virtual memory is the appearance of having more memory than 
actually physically exists on the computer.  Extending that example, a 
virtual website means that the webserver can host more than one website, 
yet maintain the illusion that each website has its own machine [at least 
from the website's point of view].

The main advantage/function is utilisation of plant, specifically the 
webserver.  If each website had to run on it's own webserver (i.e. box), 
we'd soon run out of space, money, and IP addresses.  It's much easier and 
more economical to host multiple websites on the same box.  Hundreds if 
not thousands.  They can even all have the same IP number.  This is made 
possible by the http protocol which passes the name of the website from 
the client to the server.  The webserver then looks this name up in its 
configuration files and directs the incoming requests to the appropriate 
directory on the server.

If you want to read more, see 
http://www.freebsddiary.com/freebsd/virtualhosts.htm and follow the links 
through to the apache documentation.  Between those two resources, you 
should have it sussed.

hth

--
Dan Langille
The FreeBSD Diary
http://www.FreeBSDDiary.com/freebsd


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