Multi-homed Web server

Abstract

A multi-homed web server is disclosed including a plurality of virtual hosts therein. A master configuration file associated with each of said plurality of virtual hosts is provided that includes an association between at least one of a IP address or name and each of the virtual hosts.

1 . A multi-homed web server comprising: 
 web server software operable on a physical machine, the web server software configured to provide a plurality of virtual hosts and a master configuration file associated with each of said plurality of virtual hosts; and    the master configuration file including an association between at least one of a IP address or name and each of said virtual hosts.    
     
     
         2 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 1 , wherein each of said virtual hosts having an associated configuration sub-file derived from a master configuration file.  
     
     
         3 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 1 , the web server software being further configured to process an incoming connection request according to rules contained in said master configuration file.  
     
     
         4 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 2 , wherein the master configuration file is consulted to determine what level of connection scrutiny is applicable for the identified virtual host.  
     
     
         5 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 1 , wherein the master configuration file is consulted to determine what level of connection scrutiny is applicable for the source of the connection request.  
     
     
         6 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of modules for processing particular types of connection requests.  
     
     
         7 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 6 , wherein the master configuration file is consulted to determine which a said plurality of modules is appropriate for said connection request.  
     
     
         8 . A multi-homed web server comprising: 
 web server means for providing a plurality of virtual host means;    master configuration file means associated with each of said plurality of virtual host means; and    means for providing an association between at least one of a IP address or name and each of said virtual hosts.    
     
     
         9 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 8 , wherein each of said virtual hosts further comprises associated configuration sub-file means derived from said master configuration file means.  
     
     
         10 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 8 , further comprising means for processing an incoming connection request according to rules contained in said master configuration file.  
     
     
         11 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 9 , further comprising means for consulting said master configuration file means determining what level of connection scrutiny is applicable for the identified virtual host means.  
     
     
         12 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 8 , further comprising means for consulting said master configuration file means determining what level of connection scrutiny is applicable for the identified virtual host means.  
     
     
         13 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of module means for processing particular types of connection requests.  
     
     
         14 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 13 , further comprising means for consulting said master configuration file means for determining which a said plurality of module means is appropriate for said connection request.  
     
     
         15 . A multi-homed web server comprising: 
 a plurality of virtual hosts operable on a web server;    a master configuration file associated with each of said plurality of virtual hosts; and    an association maintained in said web server between at least one of a IP address or name and each of said virtual hosts.    
     
     
         16 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 15 , wherein each of said virtual hosts having an associated configuration sub-file derived from a master configuration file.  
     
     
         17 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 15 , the web server software being further configured to process an incoming connection request according to rules contained in said master configuration file.  
     
     
         18 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 15 , wherein the master configuration file is consulted to determine what level of connection scrutiny is applicable for the identified virtual host.  
     
     
         19 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 15 , wherein the master configuration file is consulted to determine what level of connection scrutiny is applicable for the source of the connection request.  
     
     
         20 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of modules for processing particular types of connection requests.  
     
     
         21 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 20 , wherein the master configuration file is consulted to determine which a said plurality of modules is appropriate for said connection request.