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ServerAlias in CWP Servers | An Introduction

Apache uses a process to decide the appropriate virtual host for incoming requests based on the Host header.

Today, we are going to take a closer look at Apache’s decision-making process, focusing on the ServerName and ServerAlias directives.

Additionally, we will explore a case that involves DNS records, ServerAlias setup, and using Apache’s configuration files to redirect domains.

Understanding Apache’s Virtual Host Selection

When Apache receives a request, it compares the Host header value with the ServerName and ServerAlias directives of each virtual host.

The selection follows the order listed by the `apache2ctl -S` command. If there isn’t a match, Apache serves the first name-based virtual host. Let’s explore how Apache’s decision-making unfolds and what to do if it behaves unexpectedly.

.htaccess Limitations

Before we proceed, we have to note that relying on .htaccess alone is not a solution. For Apache to interpret the .htaccess file, the access must reach the server within the correct path. In fact, if the access is already directed to a directory on the server, the .htaccess file becomes redundant.

Redirecting Domains with ServerAlias

To redirect one domain (A) to another (B) without altering the URL, the ServerAlias setup is handy. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. To begin with, point the DNS record of domain (A) to the IP address of domain (B).
2. Then, add ServerAlias in the server configuration of domain (B).

At this point, we have to edit the server configuration file. We can find the file at `/usr/local/apache/conf.d/vhosts/domain.conf`.

Then, locate the ServerAlias section:

ServerAlias www.domain.com

We have to edit it manually to include the alias domain (A):

ServerAlias www.domain.com domainA.com

Else, we can mention specify multiple aliases:

ServerAlias www.domain.com domainA.com domainB.com

We can also use a wildcard:

ServerAlias *.domain.com

After these changes, we have to restart the Apache service on the server to apply the configurations.

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Conclusion

Today, our Support Engineers introduced us to ServerAlias in CWP Servers.