Multi-homed web server

Abstract

A multi-homed Web server is disclosed. The Web server may be embodied within a single physical machine that is configured to host a plurality of virtual hosts, where each of said virtual hosts appears as a distinct host to users of the Internet. The single physical machine may further include a corresponding configuration sub-file associated with each of the virtual hosts. Each of the configuration sub-files is linked to a master configuration file.

1 . A multi-homed Web server comprising: 
 a plurality of virtual hosts operable within a single physical machine, each of said virtual hosts appearing as a distinct host to users of the Internet;    each of said plurality of virtual hosts having a corresponding configuration sub-file, each of said configuration sub-files being linked to a master configuration file.    
     
     
         2 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 1 , wherein said master configuration file comprises a defaults file for providing extensibility to the Web server.  
     
     
         3 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 2 , wherein the defaults file is compiled as part of the Web server to define the functionality of the Web server.  
     
     
         4 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 1 , wherein said configuration files may be used to enable or disable different functions for each host.  
     
     
         5 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of virtual hosts further comprises a corresponding log file.  
     
     
         6 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 5 , wherein information regarding incoming access requests for each of said plurality of virtual hosts are stored in said corresponding log file.  
     
     
         7 . A multi-homed Web server comprising: 
 virtual host means operable within a single physical machine, the virtual host means appearing as a distinct host to users of the Internet;    configuration sub-file means operable with said virtual host means; and    master configuration means linked to said configuration sub-file means.    
     
     
         8 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 7 , wherein said master configuration file means further comprises a defaults file means for providing extensibility to the Web server.  
     
     
         9 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 8 , wherein the defaults file is compiled as part of the Web server to define the functionality of the Web server.  
     
     
         10 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 7 , wherein said configuration sub-file means further comprise means for enabling or disabling different functions for each host.  
     
     
         11 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 7 , wherein each of said plurality of virtual hosts further comprises a corresponding log file means.  
     
     
         12 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 11 , further comprising means for storing information regarding incoming access requests.  
     
     
         13 . A multi-homed Web server comprising: 
 a single physical machine configured to host a plurality of virtual hosts, each of said virtual hosts appearing as a distinct host to users of the Internet;    the single physical machine further comprising a corresponding configuration sub-file associated with each of said plurality of virtual hosts; and    wherein each of said configuration sub-files is linked to a master configuration file.    
     
     
         14 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 13 , wherein said master configuration file comprises a defaults file for providing extensibility to the Web server.  
     
     
         15 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 14 , wherein the defaults file is compiled as part of the Web server to define the functionality of the Web server.  
     
     
         16 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 13 , wherein said configuration files may be used to enable or disable different functions for each host.  
     
     
         17 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 13 , wherein each of said plurality of virtual hosts further comprises a corresponding log file.  
     
     
         18 . The multi-homed Web server of  claim 17 , wherein information regarding incoming access requests for each of said plurality of virtual hosts are stored in said corresponding log file.