FAQ for z.cs.utexas.edu

1. What is z.cs.utexas.edu?
   

   Z is a second web server maintained by CS staff. It operates independently from the production CS server on www.cs.utexas.edu. It sometimes appears under the alternate name zweb.cs.utexas.edu.

2. Who can use it?
   

   Anyone with a current CS Unix account.

3. Why another web server?
   

   Many users have asked for features not available on the production server. This server is a response to those requests.

4. What features are avialable on z?
   

   mod_php, mod_python, a dedicated MySQL server, and we are testing mod_wsgi. Do you need additional features? Ask here.

5. How do I use the http server on z?
   

   Send mail here for an account. Once the account is created, you can publish documents at http://z.cs.utexas.edu/users/NAME by placing your html files in /u/z/users/NAME, where NAME is your CS Unix login name.

6. Where are the http log files on z?
   

   /u/z/logs

7. How do I use the MySQL server on z?
   

   Request a MySQL account here. Specify a database name which you want to create. Your MySQL login name will be the same as your CS Unix login name.

8. What versions of PHP and MySQL run on z?
   

   PHP 5.3.2 and MySQL 5.1.41

9. Why doesn't the php mail() function work?
   

   Arrange for your php application to set the PHP_MAIL_FROM environment variable to a valid email address before calling mail(). One way to do this is:
   
      putenv("PHP_MAIL_FROM=your-login-name@cs.utexas.edu");
   
   

10. Can I have a shell account on z?
    

    No. Z has no non-staff shell accounts, similar to the CS production web server.

11. When can't I access the MySQL server on port 3306/tcp from hosts outside the CS department?
    

    The sole purpose of the MySQL server is to support http applications on z. As such, you should be able to administer MySQL from your http application. (This is basically a security policy -- I don't want to make a MySQL server visible to the endless stream of portscans, so 3306/tcp is blocked at the router).

12. But that's unreasonable. Some MySQL operations are are only possible (or at least are much more easily done) with direct access to the server.
    

    All of the utilities in the MySQL distribution are available, and you can use them from any CS host. These tools should provide all the necessary MySQL access which one might need.

13. How do I change my MySQL password?
    

    Connect with the mysql client and use set password, i.e.
    
       mysql -h z -p -u LOGIN
    
    where LOGIN is your CS Unix (and MySQL) login name. Then at the mysql prompt:
    
       mysql> set password = password('NEW-PASSWORD');
    
    where NEW-PASSWORD is your new MySQL password. It is not advisable to use your Unix password as a MySQL password.

14. Why is the server named "z"?
    

    Long, cute hostnames are overrated. :)