Accessing and Using Servers in THDL

Introduction

THDL relies upon servers to store its content. A server is essentially just a special computer that is dedicated to serving many users rather than just one user. Its storage capacity, or hard drives, thus "serves" up content to many users who come to it through a local network or the Web. Those without technical background can easily understand the concept through comparing it to a kitchen such as one finds in a cafeteria or restaurant – rather than preparing and processing meals for just one individual or family, it processes and "serves" up meals/content for many individuals. Thus it has to have industrial strength, though essentially it is just an amplification of an ordinary kitchen.

Since so many people rely upon a server, of course it needs significant security controls to insure that its contents are not altered or corrupted. Thus while anyone might be able to access the services and content a server provides to the public, only a very few content providers and maintainers are actually allowed direct access to the underlying folders/directories where information is stored so as to change and add content therein. Such interaction with a server can be done through through the medium of a program, such as a nice interface for editing a dictionary online, say, or can be done through directly accessing the directories on the server. Direct access is typically done using a FTP program, which allows one to contact the server, provide security information so as to be allowed inside, and then provides a graphic or textual list of directories much as you would see on your own computer's hard drive. You can then transfer over an individual file to your computer, edit it there, and then upload it back to the server – the next moment, the public will see your changes live on the webpage. It's that simple.

THDL relies upon many servers, but its core servers at hosted at the University of Virginia Library. They can be directly accessed for work from anywhere in the world using a special program called "UVa-Anywhere" as detailed below. However such rights are limited to a few staff and other participants who require constant direct access to the servers to add and revise content. These rest of this document details the procedures for getting such access, and the protocols to follow for using such access. If are a THDL participant and think you should have such access, please contact us at thdl@virginia.edu.

The main array of HTML and XML pages in THDL are located on the Library's Orion server. These are secure servers because of security issues, and hence no one without a UVA computing ID and special software can directly access them. However, for core participants who require frequent access to THDL's servers, who are technically competent with HTML/XML and FTP, and who are completely dependable, we do have a means to arrange such access. This must be repeated each year or the account will lapse. If you already have a UVa Computing ID, you can skip the first step.

Securing a UVa Computing ID for Non-UVa Participants

Securing Account for Access to the Library Orion Server

The user must then change this password by logging onto the Scripta server:

Remote Access to UVa Servers

If the user is going to access Orion from an off-campus location, then they need to get a program called UVa-Anywhere which allows their computer to set up a special secure connection to UVa that allows them to do work as if they were on a campus networked computer. Supposedly it works for Mac OS, though we haven't tested this ourselves. The procedure takes a little time but is simple:

Secure FTP Software

Everyone, whether off-campus or on-campus, must use a secure FTP (SFTP) program to access the Orion server and upload/download files. It is not possible to access the Orion server except through an SFTP application. ITC provides free SFTP programs: SecureFX for Windows and Fugu for Mac.

Configuring Secure FTP Software

It is important to configure properly your secure FTP (SFTP) application. You will not even be able to log onto the Orion server unless your FTP application supports secure FTP.

As these instructions explain, you should configure your SFTP software so that other members of the THDL group can edit files you have created or edited. Implement the following configuration (you have already done this if you followed the detailed instructions for configuring secure FTP software from the link immediately above):

Logging onto Orion

Once you have your computing ID, are on the campus network, and have a secure FTP program installed and configured, you are ready to go.

CVS – Must Read before You Start Work

In 2004, we are implementing CVS which keeps track of multiple versions of a given Web page on a server. This requires downloading a CVS client. This is not difficult, but it is an additional step that has yet to be documented properly. Contact THDL staff in the meantime to step you through it.

HTML and XML Guidelines for Webpages

Before creating or editing a single file, please carefully consult the HTML Web management manuals in the Scholar's Toolbox on THDL. Otherwise you will wreck the files for everyone.

Folder Structure in Orion

The root directory on Orion has a folder/directory entitled "lv9", and within that is a directory entitled "tibet". All THDL files are located within this directory. The following is a list of the subdirectories within "tibet" and their contents. In general, you should not alter files in a directory unless you are in charge of it, or have cleared access with the person in charge.