[SOLVED] Apache redirect of non existent subdirectories

NetEng1 · 03-04-2013, 10:01 PM

We are running apache2 v2.2.22 on openSuSE 12.2. We have one website defined with the files at /srv/www/htdocs. This is replacing an older version that we had in place for alpha testing. With the old system, users had to enter in the directory (ie. www.mydomain.com/startlocation) where the index file is.

On the new server, we just want them to enter in www.mydomain.com without the subdirectory. However, for the team that tested the old system, we would like that the old url with the subdirectory would still work for them. This way if someone entered in www.mydomain.com/startlocation, it would get redirected to www.mydomain.com. I have been asked to allow anything after the domain name and redirect it to the root.

After some research, I decided to try out mod_rewrite. In some searches on its use, the following lines should be added to .htaccess under the root directory. I created the file and entered in the following as its contents:

Options +FollowSymLinks
RewriteEngine on
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-f [OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} !-d
RewriteRule (.*)$ http://www.mydomain.com/=$1 [R=301,L]

I restarted apache2, but it did not work. I ensured that mod_rewrite was installed by using the apache2ctl -M command.

What am I missing?

Thanks in advanced

acid_kewpie · 03-05-2013, 02:24 AM

You're missing some sanity! Don't do this!

If a page doesn't exist, the server should 404. If you want to redirect *SPECIFIC* locations, then that's fine, but not EVERYTHING. your method says that ever image or other file that doesn't exist is going to be pushed to the default site. Every malicious system out there will get a positive response to every single opportunistic scan instead of a dead end 404.

so redirect on /startlocation and any other select ones if need bee, no problem at all with that, but don't do it on a blanket rule.

bathory · 03-05-2013, 02:25 AM

Quote:

On the new server, we just want them to enter in www.mydomain.com without the subdirectory. However, for the team that tested the old system, we would like that the old url with the subdirectory would still work for them. This way if someone entered in www.mydomain.com/startlocation, it would get redirected to www.mydomain.com. I have been asked to allow anything after the domain name and redirect it to the root.

Huh, I don't get what exactly you're trying to do.
If you want http://www.mydomain.com/startlocation been redirected to http://www.mydomain.com/, you need just:

Code:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_URI} ^/startlocation
RewriteRule startlocation(.*)$ / [R=301,L]

Since you're going to put the rewrite stuff in a .htaccess file, you should also make sure that you have in httpd.conf:

Code:

AllowOverride All

so apache takes care of the .htaccess files

Regards

stormpunk · 03-05-2013, 02:29 AM

Unless I'm missing something which I could be then I would just use the alias module. One line and done

Code:

Redirect permanent /startlocation http://www.example.com

NetEng1 · 03-05-2013, 05:37 AM

Thank you all for your responses. Chris, you make an very valid point. I will try to talk my manager out of this. I was not keen on doing it in the first place.