Club Hosting: Difference between revisions

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The Computer Science Club provides web hosting to other clubs free of charge. We host many club web sites and mailing lists. If you have a question about our hosting service, contact systems-committee@csclub.uwaterloo.ca or visit our office in MC 3036.
The Computer Science Club provides web hosting to other clubs free of charge. We host many club web sites. If you have a question about our hosting service, contact syscom at csclub dot uwaterloo dot ca or visit our office in MC 3036.


=== Hosting Features ===
== Hosting Features ==


* 4 GB web space
* 4 GB web space
* Scripting
* Scripting
** PHP (mod_fcgid)
** PHP (mod_fcgid)
** Perl (https://wiki.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/Web_Hosting#Dynamic_Sites)
** Perl (mod_fcgid)
** Python (https://wiki.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/Web_Hosting#Dynamic_Sites)
** Python (mod_fcgid)
*** Django (https://wiki.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/Web_Hosting#Dynamic_Sites)
** Ruby (mod_fcgid)
** Ruby (https://wiki.csclub.uwaterloo.ca/Web_Hosting#Dynamic_Sites)
* Databases
* Databases
** [[MySQL]]
** [[MySQL]]
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This is not an exhaustive list. Contact us if you want something not listed or installed.
This is not an exhaustive list. Contact us if you want something not listed or installed.


=== Getting Hosted ===
== Getting Hosted ==


To get hosted, you need a '''club account''' and one '''user account''' for each person who will be updating the club's web site or other files.
To get hosted, you need:


The general process to get yourself an account on our systems to host your club website is:
# a club account
# one user account for each person who will be updating the club's web site or other files


1. Request a free club account on the CSC systems by emailing syscom@csclub.uwaterloo.ca from an official club email (an official club email is one that is posted on your website or Facebook page, for example). Something along the lines of "I am from the ActSci club and am the current webmaster. Can I be registered for a club account to access the ActSci website?" Include the WatIAM userids (Quest ID) of any club reps that should be authorized to manage the club account in your email.
==== Club Account ====

2. For each club rep that needs access, an email needs to be sent to syscom with the following information, if they don't already have a CSC account:

* a scan or photograph copy of the rep's WatCard,
* their WatIAM userid, and
* their acknowledgement of having read, understood, and agreeing with our Machine Usage Agreement.

These can be sent in one email or separately.

3. Once syscom receives these, the users will be given permission to access your club website by adding you to your corresponding club group (for example, the actsci user group).

=== Club Account ===


Each club we host has a "club account" that owns and stores club resources. You can request a club account via email or in person. The club account:
Each club we host has a "club account" that owns and stores club resources. You can request a club account via email or in person. The club account:
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* Is named after the club, possibly abbreviated.
* Is named after the club, possibly abbreviated.
* Has a home directory named /users/clubname, where club files are stored.
* Has a home directory named /users/clubname, where club files are stored.
* Is not permitted to login. You must use your own user account to login.
* Is not permitted to log in. You must use your own user account to login.


Syscom will create club accounts when sent a request from the club's email address to syscom@csclub.uwaterloo.ca.
The Systems Committee will create club accounts when sent a request from the club's email address to syscom@csclub.uwaterloo.ca. Verification of the club's university affiliation may be required, for instance by contacting the Federation of Students or the club's faculty advisor.


==== User Accounts ====
=== User Accounts ===


Each user who needs access to the club account must have his/her own user account on our machines. There are two ways to get an account:
Each user who needs access to the club account must have his/her own user account on our machines. There are two ways to get an account:
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* Request a free "club representative" account. These accounts are to be used solely for managing the club account, and expire at the end of the term.
* Request a free "club representative" account. These accounts are to be used solely for managing the club account, and expire at the end of the term.


In both cases, you must come to MC 3036 in person for initial registration. Club representatives can request renewal of their free accounts if they still need the account in future terms. Renewal can be done in person or via email.
Club representatives can request renewal of their free accounts (for one or more terms) if they still need the account to manage the club account in future terms.


Your user account must also be authorized to change club files. Each club has a "club group" whose members may update the clubs files. We add (and remove) users to the group when we are asked to do so by the club exec. The exec must email Syscom (syscom@csclub.uwaterloo.ca) from a club email address. We may ask for verification that the club is a Feds club when setting up a new account.
Your user account must also be authorized to change club files. Each club has a "club group" whose members may update the clubs files. We add (and remove) users to the group when we are asked to do so by the club exec. The exec must email the Systems Committee (syscom@csclub.uwaterloo.ca) from a club email address.


Any office staff member privileges may create and renew both member and club representative accounts using [[ceo]].
Any office staff member may create and renew both member and club representative accounts using [[ceo]]. Only Systems Committee members may modify club access lists.


=== Accessing Club Resources ===
== Accessing Club Resources ==


At this point, you have a user account and a club account, and need to get started with your web site. Before you can do anything, you need to log into our machines somehow.
==== Shell Access ====


=== Shell Access ===
At this point, you have a user account and a club account, and need to get started with your web site. Before you can do anything, you need to log into our machines somehow. You can:

To gain shell access to your site, you can:


* Log in using a terminal in the office
* Log in using a terminal in the office
* Log in from anywhere using SSH. Our web server (caffeine) is available at csclub.uwaterloo.ca.
* Log in from anywhere using SSH. We discourage SSH'ing into our web server (caffeine), you should use a different general-use machine (like corn-syrup.csclub.uwaterloo.ca)


The club's files are stored in /users/clubname.
The club's files are stored in /users/clubname.


If you want, you can become the club user by typing "become_club clubname". This is not usually necessary, as the permissions usually allow you to make changes as yourself.
If you want, you can become the club user by typing "become_club clubname". This is not usually necessary, as the permissions should allow you to make changes as yourself.


==== SFTP File Access ====
=== SFTP File Access ===


You may access files stored on our servers, or upload new ones, via SFTP and SCP. If you are a Windows user you should use [http://winscp.net/ WinSCP] or a similar client with SFTP/SCP abilities. If you are using OS X you can use the sftp or scp Terminal commands, or you can install a graphical client such as [http://cyberduck.ch/ Cyberduck]. Similarly on GNU/Linux you can use the shell commands or a graphical client such as gftp.
You may access files stored on our servers, or upload new ones, via SFTP and SCP. If you are a Windows user you should use [http://winscp.net/ WinSCP] or a similar client with SFTP/SCP abilities. If you are using OS X you can use the sftp or scp Terminal commands, or you can install a graphical client such as [http://cyberduck.ch/ Cyberduck]. Similarly on GNU/Linux you can use the shell commands or a graphical client such as gftp.


=== Services ===
== Services ==


==== Web Hosting ====
=== Web Hosting ===


See [[Web Hosting]].
The /users/clubname/www directory is accessible via the web at http://csclub.uwaterloo.ca/~clubname. This is set up by default and requires no special configuration.


=== Databases ===
If you want a domain of the form clubname.uwaterloo.ca, you can request this via email. You can also use your own domain (e.g. club.org), if you purchase it yourself.


See [[MySQL]].
We '''strongly discourage''' the use of content management systems such as '''WordPress'''. These packages are notorious for the number of security vulnerabilites they contain and pose a threat if they are not kept up to date. The Systems Committee may, at their discretion, disable any website using a package such as WordPress that is not updated to the latest version or that is found to contain exploitable security flaws. In such a case, the member or club serving that site will be notified of the stoppage; the site will not be re-enabled until the issues are addressed.

==== Databases ====

MySQL databases are available.


You can create a MySQL database yourself through [[ceo]] by following [[MySQL#Using_ceo|these instructions]].
You can create a MySQL database yourself through [[ceo]] by following [[MySQL#Using_ceo|these instructions]].

==== Mailing Lists ====

We can set up [http://www.gnu.org/software/mailman/index.html GNU Mailman] for you upon request.


[[Category:Services]]
[[Category:Services]]

Revision as of 19:52, 3 May 2022

The Computer Science Club provides web hosting to other clubs free of charge. We host many club web sites. If you have a question about our hosting service, contact syscom at csclub dot uwaterloo dot ca or visit our office in MC 3036.

Hosting Features

This is not an exhaustive list. Contact us if you want something not listed or installed.

Getting Hosted

To get hosted, you need a club account and one user account for each person who will be updating the club's web site or other files.

The general process to get yourself an account on our systems to host your club website is:

1. Request a free club account on the CSC systems by emailing syscom@csclub.uwaterloo.ca from an official club email (an official club email is one that is posted on your website or Facebook page, for example). Something along the lines of "I am from the ActSci club and am the current webmaster. Can I be registered for a club account to access the ActSci website?" Include the WatIAM userids (Quest ID) of any club reps that should be authorized to manage the club account in your email.

2. For each club rep that needs access, an email needs to be sent to syscom with the following information, if they don't already have a CSC account:

  • a scan or photograph copy of the rep's WatCard,
  • their WatIAM userid, and
  • their acknowledgement of having read, understood, and agreeing with our Machine Usage Agreement.

These can be sent in one email or separately.

3. Once syscom receives these, the users will be given permission to access your club website by adding you to your corresponding club group (for example, the actsci user group).

Club Account

Each club we host has a "club account" that owns and stores club resources. You can request a club account via email or in person. The club account:

  • Is named after the club, possibly abbreviated.
  • Has a home directory named /users/clubname, where club files are stored.
  • Is not permitted to log in. You must use your own user account to login.

The Systems Committee will create club accounts when sent a request from the club's email address to syscom@csclub.uwaterloo.ca. Verification of the club's university affiliation may be required, for instance by contacting the Federation of Students or the club's faculty advisor.

User Accounts

Each user who needs access to the club account must have his/her own user account on our machines. There are two ways to get an account:

  • Become a member of the Computer Science Club. Membership is $2.00 per term.
  • Request a free "club representative" account. These accounts are to be used solely for managing the club account, and expire at the end of the term.

Club representatives can request renewal of their free accounts (for one or more terms) if they still need the account to manage the club account in future terms.

Your user account must also be authorized to change club files. Each club has a "club group" whose members may update the clubs files. We add (and remove) users to the group when we are asked to do so by the club exec. The exec must email the Systems Committee (syscom@csclub.uwaterloo.ca) from a club email address.

Any office staff member may create and renew both member and club representative accounts using ceo. Only Systems Committee members may modify club access lists.

Accessing Club Resources

At this point, you have a user account and a club account, and need to get started with your web site. Before you can do anything, you need to log into our machines somehow.

Shell Access

To gain shell access to your site, you can:

  • Log in using a terminal in the office
  • Log in from anywhere using SSH. We discourage SSH'ing into our web server (caffeine), you should use a different general-use machine (like corn-syrup.csclub.uwaterloo.ca)

The club's files are stored in /users/clubname.

If you want, you can become the club user by typing "become_club clubname". This is not usually necessary, as the permissions should allow you to make changes as yourself.

SFTP File Access

You may access files stored on our servers, or upload new ones, via SFTP and SCP. If you are a Windows user you should use WinSCP or a similar client with SFTP/SCP abilities. If you are using OS X you can use the sftp or scp Terminal commands, or you can install a graphical client such as Cyberduck. Similarly on GNU/Linux you can use the shell commands or a graphical client such as gftp.

Services

Web Hosting

See Web Hosting.

Databases

See MySQL.

You can create a MySQL database yourself through ceo by following these instructions.