LinuxQuestions.org
Share your knowledge at the LQ Wiki.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Server
User Name
Password
Linux - Server This forum is for the discussion of Linux Software used in a server related context.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 04-01-2009, 10:17 AM   #1
mattsoftnet
Member
 
Registered: Jan 2006
Posts: 120

Rep: Reputation: 15
override default homepage with apache


when you go to some public wireless access points, when you first open your browser, it overrides the home page or whatever other page is loading and shows you a login screen for the wireless provider. I'd like to figure out how to do something similar, but a little different.

I've had thoughts about starting an open source project for a lan party intranet. I've seen a few around the internet, but I know I can make something much better.

here's the best description of what I want to do. I'm hoping there is a simple way to set this up. when people come to a lan party, they set up their computer on a table. they're provided with power and an eithernet connection to the lan party's network. the computer is assigned an ip, dns, and gateway addresses with a dhcp server. when they open their browser, I want it to automatically bring up the lan party's intranet home page, instead of their custom homepage. how can I do this?

the only way I can think of, is some kind of proxy server. but I don't want to have every guest setting proxy host addresses manually. it has to be automatic. I was thinking, have the server keep a database of the first page that is ever opened from each ip address on the network, and have it assume this url is the guests homepage. whenever this same url is called upon any time in the future, the server would assume the guest is trying to access their homepage, and just redirect them to the intranet. sounds doable, but how do I hook in? I remember some proxy servers in windows having a transparent proxy feature, but I have no clue how to do that on linux. should it be done on the dns side? how could I determine the ip address being requested is for the guests home page and not a messaging service or a game server? does opendns.com maybe offer the kind of service I'm looking for?
 
Old 04-01-2009, 10:36 AM   #2
paulsm4
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Mar 2004
Distribution: SusE 8.2
Posts: 5,863
Blog Entries: 1

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Hi -

What you're talking about is called a "Captive Portal".

It has nothing to do with Apache per se. It's possible because you control the DHCP lease, you control DNS, and you control the firewall.

Here's a bit more detail:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captive_portal

'Hope that helps .. PSM
 
Old 04-03-2009, 12:18 PM   #3
mattsoftnet
Member
 
Registered: Jan 2006
Posts: 120

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
thanks. exactly what I was looking for. I didn't know what it was called, so it was tough to find anything on google.


Quote:
Originally Posted by paulsm4 View Post
Hi -

What you're talking about is called a "Captive Portal".

It has nothing to do with Apache per se. It's possible because you control the DHCP lease, you control DNS, and you control the firewall.

Here's a bit more detail:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captive_portal

'Hope that helps .. PSM
 
Old 04-03-2009, 01:38 PM   #4
mattsoftnet
Member
 
Registered: Jan 2006
Posts: 120

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: 15
I think I might need more of a custom solution. I've been doing some reading, but I haven't tested any of the existing programs yet. the difference with my project is that I don't want the page coming up only to authenticate. I want it coming up in place of the guests home page.
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Setting font in one console doesnt override the default setting Lakki Linux - Enterprise 0 09-01-2008 08:19 AM
Want a default homepage for dhcp recipients tallmtt Linux - Server 4 08-14-2007 08:52 AM
Apache: how to redirect all pages "404 not found" to the homepage? newlinuxnewbie Linux - General 2 02-09-2006 06:43 PM
apache setup help needed: cannot access user's homepage parv Linux - Networking 7 02-07-2006 04:24 PM
Mandrake default homepage iliks Mandriva 4 07-01-2004 01:26 PM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Server

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:31 AM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration