I am taking a general linux class, using RH8. our current project is to password protect the default page in apache(i.e., http://localhost/) so that the browser asks for a password, and you cant get to the page without entering a/the correct one
i have already created a .htpasswd file although i am not sure i put it in the right folder.
i am having trouble finding out where the actual default page is, and from there creating a .htaccess file to let apache know about the .htpasswd file.
in the spirit of linux, the instructor has encouraged the use of forums/mans/howtos/ etc, so it isnt cheating for me to get info from anywhere.

basically, what i need is 1)where should the .htpasswd file go, 2)where does the .htaccess file go, 3) how do i find the default page, and 4) am i even on the right track?

complication-i dont have a whole lot of access to the comp i am trying to do this on..its in a classroom, not a lab, that is used often. however, i can just do it next class meeting if it is pretty straightforward.


any help will be appreciated.

thank you, philip

I hope you have a command line to the machine, if so the folder you are probably looking for is called htdocs at a command line look for that or httpd.conf which is the configuration file for apache you can look for the files by typing in

locate httpd.conf
or
locate htdocs

in the httpd.conf you will find a line called DocumentRoot that will tell you where the webpage files are stored in the filesystem

If you can ftp into the server just drop the .htaccess file into the root of the website. That should get you going for now. Have fun and keep playing with linux!

unfortunately, it is usually used as a windows machine when it is being used, and when its not being used, it is off...cant connect to it..tried a few times at different hours of the day/days of the week, but i cant connect.
class is meeting wed. 2/26/03, so i guess ill finish it then. thanks for the help cli_man

-demicheru