Abyss Web Server X1 version 1.2 Beta 2 is out

November 14, 2003

Aprelium Technologies is pleased to announce the availability of the second beta of Abyss Web Server X1 version 1.2.

Besides the features already present in the first beta, this second test release introduces the use of patterns to give you more power and flexibility when configuring the web server.

It is highly recommended to carefully read the following paragraphs to understand the major changes that became effective in this new beta.

Patterns

Have you ever wanted to password protect all your JPEG files? The only way to do it with the previous versions of Abyss Web Server was to group all of them in the same directory and to add an access rule for this directory.

With the introduction of patterns, password protecting all your JPEG files requires only to add a single access rule that restricts the access to all virtual paths that match with the pattern /*.jpg.

Patterns can be used in the Access Rules, CGI Paths, CGI Interpreters extensions lists, and SSI associated extensions. They are very easy to master since they are compatible with the usual MS-DOS patterns and UNIX sh patterns. More information can be found in the updated documentation that ships with Abyss Web Server.

Easier CGI Parameters configuration

Windows users had to separate executables available for downloading from other CGI scripts. This made the configuration of CGI Paths tedious in some extreme cases. With patterns, this is no more the case. Executables are by default downloadable. If they are CGI applications, the user has to explicitly add /*.exe (or a more path restrictive pattern) to the CGI Paths.

Besides, adding a CGI Interpreter is now more automated. The server can automatically update the CGI Paths according to the extensions you associate with the interpreter.

Visit Upgrading your CGI Paths to know how to change your old CGI Paths settings in order to take advantage of patterns and make executables downloadable by default.

Visit also the following links for the new instructions on how to add PHP, Perl, and ASP support on Windows, Linux, MacOS X, and FreeBSD:

The only difference with the previous instructions is that you don't have to add / to the CGI Paths when declaring a language interpreter.

Smarter installer

The Windows version installer better detects old versions of Abyss Web Server that are on your computer and can even shutdown them for you before starting the installation process. Uninstalling the previous version is also no more required when upgrading.

Installation Instructions

This version is still not suitable for production environments. Please use it only for test purposes.

If you are upgrading from a previous version, please read the next sections.

Upgrading the Windows version

To upgrade from a previous version, download Abyss Web Server 1.2 Beta 2 for Windows, run the installer, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Upgrading the Linux version

Download Abyss Web Server 1.2 Beta 2 for Linux, go to the directory where Abyss Web Server is installed and execute the following commands (which purpose is replacing the old application files with newer ones):

mv htdocs/index.html htdocs/index.html.bak
cd ..
tar xfzm abwsx1-linux.tgz
cd abyssws
mv htdocs/index.html.bak htdocs/index.html

If errors are reported when executing the first and the last command, ignore them. Obviously, they occurred because you have no index.html file in the htdocs directory.

Upgrading the MacOS X version

To upgrade from a previous version, download Abyss Web Server 1.2 Beta 2 for MacOS X, double-click on the downloaded file to open the package, shutdown the previous version of Abyss Web Server if it is running, delete the old Abyss Web Server application bundle, and replace it with the one you'll find in the downloaded package.

Upgrading the FreeBSD version

Download Abyss Web Server 1.2 Beta 2 for FreeBSD, go to the directory where Abyss Web Server is installed and execute the following commands (which purpose is replacing the old application files with newer ones):

mv htdocs/index.html htdocs/index.html.bak
cd ..
tar xfzm abwsx1-freebsd.tgz
cd abyssws
mv htdocs/index.html.bak htdocs/index.html

If errors are reported when executing the first and the last command, ignore them. Obviously, they occurred because you have no index.html file in the htdocs directory.

Feedback

Please send all your feedback and bug reports to beta@aprelium.com.

To discuss about this beta release with other testers, please use the 1.2 Beta section in our Forum.

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