Indiana University

IU Webmaster

Virtual Host Name Service

Table of Contents

What is a 'virtual host name'?
A 'virtual host name' is a name that is substituted for the actual host name in a WWW URL that the WWW server recognizes as associated with an alternative root document directory. They are most often used to make it easier for the Internet user to surf to your main WWW site or to a specific place within your site.

If chosen carefully, the use of a virtual host name results in the WWW browser user having a shorter and more intuitive way to specify the host name in a URL that refers to your site.

Each of your virtual host names is bound to a distinct directory somewhere within your /www directory tree. This directory becomes the root directory for a particular virtual host name.

Please keep in mind that the use of a virtual host name to simplify access to your site does not replace the 'standard' way of referring to a website on one of the central IU web servers; the standard way being one of the following:

http://www.indiana.edu/~myaccountname/
http://www.iupui.edu/~myaccountname/
http://www.iun.edu/~myaccountname/
http://www.iuk.edu/~myaccountname/

The examples below serve only to show how a virtual host name is an alternative method of referring to the main entry point for a site:

http://www.indiana.edu/~myaccountname/
could also be referred to as
http://anothername.indiana.edu/

http://www.iupui.edu/~myaccountname/
could also be referred to as
http://anothername.iupui.edu/

http://www.iun.edu/~myaccountname/
could also be referred to as
http://anothername.iun.edu/

http://www.iuk.edu/~myaccountname/
could also be referred to as
http://anothername.iuk.edu/

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What kind of names can I pick for my virtual host name?
The UITS Messaging Team administers host names and determines the polices for WWW virtual host names. The URL for these policies is:
http://kb.iu.edu/data/aqeo.html

Qualifications for .iu.edu domain use
University Information Policy Office is responsible for determining who may use the .iu.edu domain. The criteria below was provided by the Policy Office.
Usage of the iu.edu domain requires meet the following :

  • The domain must have a system-wide presence, i.e., your school must have a presence on the IU regional campuses and the servers in the domain must be accessible by the regionals.

  • The domain must represent a non-profit, non-commercial agency, institute or program affiliated with Indiana University.

A detailed description of your service must include an explanation of how your service qualifies based on the two points above.

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If I obtained a virtual host name, will I have to change all of the links in my documents that might use the ~ (tilde) before my account name?

Since virtual host names are usually used to advertise an entrance to your site and to form the basis of an intuitive WWW 'bookmark', the answer to this question is 'no'. There is really no necessity to change links that refer to documents within your site using the 'old' standard format, since they will continue to function as they did before the advent of the virtual host service.

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Are there restrictions that I should be aware of about virtual hosts?

  • URLs that use your virtual host name to refer to an image map must use the image mapping mechanism that is internal to the WWW server rather than the 'imagemap' program. An example of this type of image mapping is shown below:
    <A HREF="http://anothername.indiana.edu/sample.map">
    <IMG SRC="/gifs/sample.gif" ISMAP>
    </A>
    You cannot use the the old method (using the 'imagemap' program) any longer, an example of which is shown below:
    <A HREF="http://www.indiana.edu/cgi-bin/imagemap/~myaccountname/sample.map"> <IMG SRC="/~myaccountname/gifs/sample.gif" ISMAP>
    </A>

  • Files in Index listings of directories which are requested using your virtual host name to refer to a directory are will be displayed with 'bullet' points rather than icons.
    If you feel you must have the listings displayed with icons, you must do 2 things:
    1. Be aware that no subdirectory immediately below your 'www' (or 'wwws') subdirectory can be named 'icons'.
    2. Send a message to the IU Webmaster and request that index listings with icons be enabled for your virtual host. Be sure to include your virtual host name in the message.

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Can I use the secure WWW server if I have a virtual host service enabled?

Yes. For more information, please see IU Webmaster's Secure WWW Server Document.

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How much does a virtual host name cost?

The annual fee is $125.00. The first year is billed at start of service and each July thereafter, for each unique address.

If you have questions, please contact the IU Webmaster

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How do I get a virtual host name installed for my site?

You must have already have obtained an account on one of the central IU web servers to request a virtual host name. All virtual host names are associated with an existing account and its sponsor.

Look over the policy document and construct your virtual host name.

Complete and submit this Virtual Host Name Request Form.

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