1.3 Administration Instance vs. Public Instance of Apache on NetWare

The Apache Web server is used on NetWare in two ways:

To accomplish this, two instances of Apache are configured on your server. If, during the NetWare installation, you do not choose to install a Web server, only the required administration instance of Apache is installed.

1.3.1 Using Apache As a NetWare Administration Server

Apache is used as a NetWare administration server for several products including Novell iFolder® and iManager. Some products, such as NetWare Remote Manager (NRM), do not depend on Apache because they have their own HTTP stacks.

For example, when you use iManager, which is accessible from any Web browser (including the new Web browser now available from the NetWare GUI), it is the administration instance of the Apache Web server that is serving up the data between the Web browser and NetWare. Novell products that rely on the administration instance of Apache include:

  • iManager

  • Novell eGuide™

  • Virtual Office

  • GroupWise® WebAccess

  • iPrint

  • iFolder

  • QuickFinder

For this reason, the administration instance of Apache is installed by default, even if you do not choose it as your Web server. The administration instance of Apache is created in its own directory (sys:\adminsrv).

1.3.2 Using Apache As a Dedicated Web Server

When you choose Apache as your Web server, a second instance is installed in the operating system address space, where you can use it as a dedicated Web server. Whether you need it for hosting a simple department intranet site or for use in hosting more complex Web services or business-to-business solutions, Apache provides very fast and reliable HTTP services.

This public instance of Apache is installed in the standard location for Apache software (sys:\apache2). It contains the subdirectories described in the following figure.

Figure 1-1 Apache Subdirectories

Key directories of the public instance of the Apache Web server.