J2EEHosting.com.au

faq

	FAQ

If what you're looking for can not be found here, please email support for an answer. This FAQ is being continually improved, as we find more frequently asked questions, so let us know of your suggestions.

1. General:
1.1. Which hosting package do I require?
1.2. What is Jetty?
1.3. Why use Apache?
1.4. How can I access my email?
1.5. How is the bandwidth calculated?
1.6. What are the log files?
1.7. How do I pay?

2. Installation/Deployment/Configuration:
2.1 FTP access.
2.2 How do I install my web app on Jetty?
2.3 How do I install my web app on Apache-Tomcat?
2.4 How do I install my app on JBoss?
2.5 Can I restart the server?
2.6 How does the server know when I have updated my app.
2.7 What do I need to do to setup a new website?
2.8 Can I use SSL?

3. Database:
3.1. What databases can I use?
3.2. How can I administer/maintain my MySQL database?
3.3. How do I connect to MySQL?
3.4. How can I administer/maintain my Postgresql database?
3.5. How do I connect to Postgresql?
3.6. Is there a size limit my database can be?

4. Software:
4.1. What do I get with Jetty?
4.2. What do I get with Apache-Tomcat?
4.3. What do I get with JBoss?
4.4. What other libraries can I use?
4.5. What about JMS, JMX, EJB?
4.6. What OS are you running?
4.7. What JVM's are available?

1.1. Which hosting package do I require?
Determine what J2EE elements your web application requires. If you require more advanced J2EE elements such as JMS, JTA, EJBs etc. then you will require JBoss. If you only require a Servlet/JSP container (with JDBC, JavaMail, etc.) then Jetty or Tomcat will suffice.
Shared JVM packages cost less, but give you less control over server restarts, deployment, available memory etc. Dedicated packages on the other hand give greater control of restarts, memory etc.

1.2. What is Jetty?
Open source, lean and mean.
From the Jetty's website: "Jetty is a 100% Java HTTP Server and Servlet Container. This means that you do not need to configure and run a separate web server (like Apache) in order to use Java, servlets and JSPs to generate dynamic content. Jetty is a fully featured web server for static and dynamic content. Unlike separate server/container solutions, this means that your web server and web application run in the same process, without interconnection overheads and complications. Furthermore, as a pure Java component, Jetty can be simply included in your application for demonstration, distribution or deployment. Jetty is available on all Java supported platforms."
For more information go to http://jetty.mortbay.org.

1.3. Why use Apache?
Tomcat has made significant performance improvement since 3.x. However, using an Apache-Tomcat configuration will still be somewhat more efficient, as Apache is more efficient in serving up static content (.html, images etc.). Also with the significant Apache user base, some people feel more comfortable, having Apache at the http end, with its years of rock solid history.

1.4. How can I access my email?
Any standard email client can be used to access your email (Outlook Express, Netscape Mail etc.). Settings for your client are:

Incoming mail (POP3): <yourdomain.name>(e.g.. acme.com.au)
Outgoing mail (SMTP): <use your Internet provider>
Account Name/User: <your email account user name>
Password: <your password>

1.5. How is the bandwidth calculated?
Bandwidth is calculated by any traffic to and from your website. This includes not only all traffic from users, but also your ftp access, email etc. If you exceed the monthly limit, your account will be debited an extra $0.18 per megabyte.

1.6. What are the log files?
You have have access to the Tomcat/Jetty log files and the http access logs. You also have access to webalizer, a web statistics program, available to you through the web to look at the internet usage of your site.

1.7. How do I pay?

Direct Deposit into our Australian Bank Account
Credit Card (through PayPal)

2.1 FTP access.
You will be given a user name/password for ftp access to our servers. This will vary depending on your account type. Please contact support if you have lost the details or require help.
See the members page for more information.

2.2 How do I install my web app on Jetty?
This is the same as for Apache-Tomcat below.

2.3 How do I install my web app on Apache-Tomcat?
Your server account directory structure will mimic the structure of a J2EE war file. i.e..
    <home>
        |-logs
        |-www
            |-WEB-INF/
            |    |-lib/
            |    |-web.xml
            |
            |- *.jsp
            |- *.html

Everything off <home>/www should mimic the structure of a Web Application Resource archive (.war) file.
The <home>/logs directory will contain your server logs. (Neither of these directories should be deleted.)
Simply upload your site's files to the relevant directory, and the server will pick it up.

2.4 How do I install my app on JBoss?
JBoss requires the deployment of J2EE ear files. Due to the more complex nature of the full J2EE stack, you will have to upload the full ear each time, so that the JBoss server can deploy it. This ensures that all your .ear components (web, EJB, JMS etc.) are deployed correctly.
You will ftp the .ear to your account on the server, and notify support via email to inform them of the deployment that is required. Deployment in a shared JBoss environment is not automatic, as our support staff, actually perform the deployment, to ensure its success. As part of your monthly JBoss account, your get 5 free deployment/restart request per month. Additional request are charged accordingly.

2.5 Can I restart the server?
Shared JVM servers do not give you the ability to perform any server restarts, shutdowns etc. Should you require a server restart, this request should be send to support your reason, and we will endeavor to perform it as soon as it is possible. (It should be noted that this may need to be during off-peak periods, as not to affect other websites on the server).
* Shared Jetty/Tomcat accounts get 1 free restart request per month.
* Shared JBoss accounts get 5 deployment/restart requests per month.
* Dedicated JBoss accounts have use of the JMX-Console, but also get 5 support assisted restarts.

2.6 How does the server know when I have updated my app.
* Tomcat/Jetty packages are configured to automatically pick up changes you make on the fly.
* Shared JBoss environments require you to notify support, so that it may be deployed, and we can ensure that changes don't affect others in the shared environment.
* JBoss Dedicated environments will automatically detect the update for you.

2.7 What do I need to do to setup a new website?
This depends on what what server package you choose. Generally:
* Your domain needs to be pointed to our servers.
* a J2EE compliant war or ear file
* creation any database tables/data
Depending on your requirements, we will give you all the necessary information you need to provide for JDBC, JMS etc.

2.8 Can I use SSL?
HTTPS/SSL is available upon request. Please contact support.

3.1. What databases can I use?
You can use either Postgresql or MySQL.

3.2. How can I administer/maintain my MySQL database?
Administration of MySQL is web based, allowing you to perform all necessary administration, including creation/deletion/editing of tables, view/modifying data and backup.
Point your browser to www.j2eehosting.com.au/mysql/
Enter your Username and password when prompted, and you will then have full access to your database.
See the members page for more information.

3.3. How do I connect to MySQL?
Administration is web based (see above). Application access is through JNDI via JDBC. You will be given the connection information.
See the members page for more information.

3.4. How can I administer/maintain my Postgresql database?
Administration of Postgresql is web based, allowing you to perform all necessary administration, including creation/deletion/editing of tables, view/modifying data and backup.

3.5. How do I connect to Postgresql?
Administration is web based (see above). Application access is through JNDI via JDBC. You will be given the connection information.

3.6. Is there a size limit my database can be?
Your database limit is part of your disk quota. This mean that the size of your database and other files should not exceed your disk quota for your package or 100 mb. If you require more space, this can be arranged through support.

4.1. What do I get with Jetty?
You get all the standard Jetty components (Servlet 2.3, JSP 1.2, JavaMail, JDBC etc.). If you require special libraries you can either include them in your application's WEB-INF/lib or contact us to include them as part of the server package. Please note, that we need to abide by the licence requirements for each product.

4.2. What do I get with Apache-Tomcat?
Same as with Jetty above.

4.3. What do I get with JBoss?
JBoss 3.x has full J2EE 1.3 support including JMX. For the Private JBoss package, you also get full control of JBoss' administrative"JMX-Console".

4.4. What other libraries can I use?
Anything that your application requires can be included with it in the WEB-INF/lib directory. If you require special libraries you can either include them in your application's WEB-INF/lib or contact us to include them as part of the server package. Please note, that we need to abide by the license requirements for each product.

4.5. What about JMS, JMX, EJB?
See 4.3. What do I get with JBoss? above.

4.6. What OS are you running?
We run Linux on all our servers. We find that this is a very stable and efficient platform for the software we use.

4.7. What JVM's are available?
We offer both Sun's JVM and IBM's JVM (Jikes). We are currently using JDK 1.4.2. You should not find any functional differences between either, but should you require one in particular, please contact support.