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URL Redirection in Sun Java System Application Server

This article uses examples to show how to configure web application URLs in Sun Java System Application Server or GlassFish. This article assumes you are using Application Server 9.0, Application Server 9.1, GlassFish v1, or GlassFish v2.

The Context Root of a WAR File

The context root of a web application archive (WAR) file that is not deployed within an enterprise application archive (EAR) is defined in the <WARprojectname>/web/WEB-INF/sun-web.xml file.

In this sample context root definition in the sun-web.xml file, /mywarname is the context root:

<sun-web-app>
<context-root>/mywarname</context-root>
</sun-web-app>

The context root of a web application archive (WAR) file that is deployed within an enterprise application archive (EAR) is defined in the <EARprojectname>/conf/application.xml file

Changing the Welcome File of a Web Application

To change the welcome file of your web application, add the required filename to the welcome-file-list in the web.xml file corresponding to your web application.

For example, you have created a sample web application that opens index.jsp when you launch the web application. If you want to open mywelcomefile.jsp instead, add the following lines to the web.xml file.

<welcome-file-list>
<welcome-file>/mywebapp/mywelcomefile.jsp</welcome-file>
</welcome-file-list>

Masking the WAR Name in a URL

You can use the Default Web Module option in the Virtual Server configuration to hide the WAR name (I other words, the context root) from the URL used for accessing your web pages. The following procedure enables your website users to type in http://www.mywebsite.com and be redirected or forwarded to http://www.mywebsite.com/hello.

1. Log in to the Admin Console of Sun Java System Application Server or GlassFish.

2. In the Admin Console, expand the Configurations node.

3. Expand the server-config node.

   Ignore this step if you are running a developer domain (a domain that does not have clustering capability).

4. Expand HTTP Service.

5. Expand Virtual Servers.

6. Click server.

7. On the Edit Virtual Server page, select the hello as the Default Web Module.

Specifying the default WAR in the virtual server configuration eliminates the need to enter the war name in the URL.

URL Redirection Within a Domain

You can use the url-prefix element of the redirect_ property to forward a URL to another URL in the same domain.

The following procedure shows how to enable visitors to a web site to type in http://www.mywebsite.com/myproduct1 and be redirected or forwarded to http://www.mywebsite.com/mywarname/products/myproduct1.jsp.

1. Log in to the Admin Console of Sun Java System Application Server or GlassFish.

2. In the Admin Console, expand the Configurations node.

3. Expand the server-config node.

   Ignore this step if you are running a developer domain (a domain that does not have clustering capability).

4. Expand HTTP Service.

5. Expand Virtual Servers.

6. Click server.

7. On the Edit Virtual Server page, click the Add Property button.

8. In the Name column, type redirect_1.

9. If you are using Application Server 9.0, type from=/<context-root>/myproduct1 url-prefix=/mywarname/mypages/products/myproduct1.jsp in the Value column.

   Note - The value of the <context-root> you provide here needs to match the value of the context root specified in the web.xml or application.xml file.

   If you are using Application Server 9.1, type from=/myproduct1 url-prefix=/mywarname/mypages/products/myproduct1.jsp in the Value column.

URL Redirection to Another Domain

You can use the url element of the redirect_ property to forward a URL to another URL in the same domain.

The following procedure shows how to enable visitors to a web site to type in http://www.mywebsite.com/myproduct1 and be redirected or forwarded to http://java.sun.com.

1. Log in to the Admin Console of Sun Java System Application Server or GlassFish.

2. In the Admin Console, expand the Configurations node.

3. Expand the server-config node.

   Ignore this step if you are running a developer domain (a domain that does not have clustering capability).

4. Expand HTTP Service.

5. Expand Virtual Servers.

6. Click server.

7. On the Edit Virtual Server page, click the Add Property button.

8. In the Name column, type redirect_1.

9. If you are using Application Server 9.0, type from=/<context-root>/myproduct1 url=http://java.sun.com in the Value column.

   Note - The value of the <context-root> you provide here needs to match the value of the context root specified in the web.xml or application.xml file.

   If you are using Application Server 9.1, type from=/myproduct1 url=http://java.sun.com in the Value column.

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