UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi all! I'm a web developer with a question.

We have a contractor that is working on a project that requires the user to access a ton of files on the clients Unix server. He has plans to built a VB interface for on site windows users to access those files and wants us to develop a web based solution. He plans on mounting the server thru the interface which may or may not work (not my problem) but has recommended that we access the files in a simular way. I'm sure that a user can not access the server unless the files are served in a particular way, such as Apache or ftp (via a web browser, anyway). We personally use IIS and some Apache on OSX.

So finally the question, what are that ways that a web ap can access files on a Unix server?

Thanks for the help!

Jim

Apache is the most common.

What version of Unix?

I think that they are using Sun systems but I would have to check.

He seems to think that the unix system can be mounted via the web. Maybe within the firewall? But I can't see it happening outside.

Any thoughts?

If it's an intranet behind a firewall you can remote mount a disk and have PC's or other unix boxes see the remote mount as a disk. Samba will serve the unix disk to remote mounts for you.

That what you mean?

That seems to be what he wants to do. But if the user is within the firewall, then why use a web app and a custom app? It just seems redundant. Just do a web app and have it done.

Now if its outside the firewall, then a web server or ftp server would be needed. How about a symlink in the Apache directory connected to the mounted file server disc? Would that be secure enough?

Jim