htaccess alternative

[simonneaves]

Can anybody recommend method of creating global redirecting scripts other than htaccess?

We currently use htaccess to direct visitors who try and access pages which have been deleted or renamed to a page which gives them a list of alternatives. htaccess is also useful for globally directing visitors to a temporary page during development by typing one line of code we can avoid updating sitwide links to a single page.

We want to be able to run a similar script from a windows server because we need full support for asp too, and it is apparently impossible to run these htaccess redirecting scripts on a windows server. (a linux server won't support all of the asp functionality that we need).


Thank You.
Simon Neaves.

[Webforumz Staff]

One option is to use ISAPIRewrite although the proper version of that is paid, the free version may suit your needs.

Does anyone else with more experience with Windows servers have any other options?

[Rob]

Hi Simon....

This isnt straightforward, but it is achievable with pure script.

Essentially, it is made possible by setting a custom error page to catch 404 errors. You can then work out the page requested, and the page to redirect to.

Without going into massive amounts of detail, the above is how it is done.

I have this implemented on several sites already. Let me know if you get stuck.

[simonneaves]

Thanks Guys, both useful suggestions.

I'll look closely at the ISAPI re-write to see if it will do what we need.

Thanks also Rob, this looks like a useful fallback which I may well investigate aswell.

si

[Rob]

Simon.....

I could do this for less than the cost of ISAPIRewrite.

Something to consider, anyway.

[simonneaves]

Rob,

Thanks for the offer, I will certainly bear it in mind.

One thing we liked about htaccess (and ISAPIRewrite it seems) is that we can set up a single global script in a matter of minutes, which will permanently monitor all traffic and intercept any requests for non-existant URLs. We also use htaccess for redirecting from specific a page to a newer/temporary version of the page with a different name. The URL field is not affected.

Am I write in saying that if I do it with pure script as you suggested, I will have to insert script at the top of all my pages (probably as an include file) which will do the redirect manually?

I like the look of ISAPIRewrite. Has anybody got any experience in setting it up on a shared host? I have just emailed my host www.drundo.net and am waiting for a reply as to whether it is possible.

Thanks for your help.

Simon

[simonneaves]

Hello again.

I've just spoken to the boss here and the main reasons why htaccess are importanant are:

1) many of the search engines are still listing pages which no longer exist
2) we have about 700 pages which have been relocated up one folder level.
3) we need to catch any other 404 errors.

Unfortunately, my windows host won't run ISAPIrewrite.

I am interested in your method Rob for catching 404 errors. Is it possible to do this without configuring IIS as illustrated here: http://www.4guysfromrolla.com/webtech/061499-1.shtml

I am on a shared host and won't be able to configure IIS in this way.

Thanks