Multi-homed Web server

Abstract

A multi-homed web server is disclosed including a plurality of virtual hosts operable in a web server. A master configuration file associated with each of said plurality of virtual hosts is provided. A plurality of modules are available for processing particular types of incoming connection requests. Associations are maintained in the master configuration file for determining which of the plurality of modules is appropriate for a particular incoming connection request.

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;    a plurality of modules for processing particular types of incoming connection requests; and    wherein the master configuration file contains associations for determining which of said plurality of modules is appropriate for said incoming connection request.    
     
     
         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 at least one of said plurality of modules comprises an animation module.  
     
     
         8 . A multi-homed web server comprising: 
 web server means for providing a plurality of virtual host means and master configuration file means associated with each of said plurality of virtual host means;    a plurality of processing module means for processing particular types of incoming connection requests; and    association means for determining which of said plurality of processing module means is appropriate for said incoming connection request.    
     
     
         9 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 8 , further comprising configuration sub-file means derived from a master configuration file and associated with a particular virtual host 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 means.  
     
     
         11 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 9 , further comprising means for consulting said master configuration file means for determining what level of connection scrutiny is applicable for the identified virtual host.  
     
     
         12 . The multi-homed web server of  claim 8 , further comprising means for consulting said master configuration file means for determining what level of connection scrutiny is applicable for the identified virtual host.  
     
     
         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 , wherein one of said plurality of module means comprises animation means for providing server-side animation.  
     
     
         15 . A multi-homed web server comprising: 
 a plurality of virtual hosts operable in a web server;    a master configuration file associated with each of said plurality of virtual hosts;    a plurality of modules for processing particular types of incoming connection requests; and    associations maintained in the master configuration file for determining which of said plurality of modules is appropriate for said incoming connection request.    
     
     
         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 16 , 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 at least one of said plurality of modules comprises an animation module.