UNIX Technical Issues
This page provides basic information on using UNIX to help manage your Web files on your Central UNIX account.
- The Purpose of the index.html Page
- File Names
- Logging into your Central UNIX account using Telnet
- File/Folder Permissions
- UNIX commands and pico text editor commands on Central UNIX
- Web Page Security Information
The Purpose of the index.html Page
Each folder or Web site should have a default web file in it named index.html. The web server on Central UNIX looks for this file by default if no other file is specified. If this file does not exist, the webserver will display a list of all of the files within the specified folder.
For example: the web address www.calpoly.edu/~jdoe/ keyed into your web browser causes the webserver to look for the default file index.html. If this file doesn't exist, the webserver will display a list of files in jdoe's public_html web folder. The web address www.calpoly.edu/~jdoe/resume.html causes the webserver to look for the file named resume.html.
(NOTE: if you prefer to have the webserver display a listing of the files contained in your web folder you must delete the default index.html file.)
In general, web pages created for the Web must be formatted using a language called HTML (HyperText Markup Language) in order for a Web browser to properly read them.
File Names
UNIX is case-sensitive concerning file names. It is recommended that you use only lower case characters when naming Web files intended to be published on Central UNIX. Also, space are not allowed on Central UNIX. Use underscores to provide spaces. (ex. "multiple_word_file.file")
Logging into your Central UNIX account using Telnet
Occasionally you may need to log into your Central UNIX account to perform various tasks such as running "websetup" or manipulating a file or folder. Logging into your UNIX account is done using a "telnet" product such as QVT/Term for the PC or Better Telnet for the Mac, both of which can be obtained from the Cal Poly-ITS Supported Software Distribution Web site.
The server you will connect to is polylog1.calpoly.edu. Your user name and password are the same as your myCalpoly login.
Contact the Service Desk if you do not have an account or do not know your login information.
File/Folder Permissions
Setting file and folder (directory) permissions on your UNIX account is made easy using "websetup" described above. You can also set permissions on files and folders manually by logging into your account. The "Basic UNIX Commands For Web Work" document provides the commands you will need to set permissions.
UNIX commands and pico text editor commands on Central UNIX
Use these reference sheets to assist you with manually editing your Web files and folders in your Central UNIX account:
- Basic UNIX Commands For Web Work.
- About pico commands - a list of commands to assist you with the pico text editor on Central UNIX.
ITS does not provide assistance for using the command-line interface of Central UNIX.
Web Page Security Information
- Securing your Web Page with Password Security - Learn how to password restrict your Web pages on your Cal Poly Central UNIX account.