Tomcat Servlet Engine

All of our JSP Servlet web hosting plans are powered by the Jakarta Tomcat Servlet Engine. Tomcat is a powerful, production quality open-source Java Servlet Engine developed and supported by the Apache Foundation. (The Apache Foundation is best known for the powerful Apache Web Server.)

We currently deploy the Tomcat servlet engine version 4.1.29 - which is the most current stable release of the 4.1 version of Tomcat. As you may already know, the Apache Group rebuilt Tomcat from the ground up for the 4.1 version. The 4.1 version of the Tomcat is exponentially faster and more stable than the previous 4.0.x releases.

Tomcat versions in the 4.1 series support the final released versions of the Java Servlet 2.3 and JSP 1.2 specifications.

As is required by the Java Servlet and JSP specifications, Tomcat also supports web applications built for the Servlet 2.2 and JSP 1.1 specifications with no code changes required. So, you will be able to package and deploy any existing web applications written to the older Hava Servlet and JSP specifications without rewriting any of your code.

Private Tomcat Instances and Private Java Virtual Machines (JVM)

Each new JSP Servlet web hosting account recieves a complete install of Tomcat running in its own private JVM. We preconfigure your Tomcat installation to operate with the Apache web server using AJP13 connectors.

Having your own private Tomcat installation is the best possible solution for deploying Java applications in a shared server environment. Just some of the advantages include:

• Protection and Isolation from other Tomcat Users: Since each JSP Servlet web hosting customer has their own Tomcat instance, running under their own user ID, they cannot access your Tomcat instance. Each account is isolated, so poorly coded applications in one JSP Servlet account will not affect your web site and web applications.
• Start and Stop Tomcat Anytime: Since you will own the Tomcat Installation, you can start and stop it anytime on the command line. We provide full instructions on startup and shutdown of Tomcat in your welcome email.
• Full Control over Server Configuration: You can setup custom configurations within your Tomcat instance to meet any of your specific needs.
• Full Control over Server JARs and Libraries: You can install new JAR files or upgrade existing JAR files anytime. This allows you to make all of the Java libraries you need available for your web applications without hastle.
• Configure multiple application Contexts in server.xml: By default we configure an application context at / and at /manager for the Tomcat Manager application. If you need to configure additional contexts, you can configure them directly in your server.xml file.
• Configure custom security realms in server.xml: If your web application requires security realms, you will be able to configure them directly in server.xml as needed.
• Private Custom Classpaths: Add new paths to the server classpath at will.
• Upgrade your Tomcat Installation at will: If you decide you would like to run a newer version of Tomcat - you can. Simply upload a binary installation of Tomcat over the existing installation we provide. There is one catch though - your new installation MUST continue to use the same TCP/IP ports that were originally configured. This will allow your new installation to continue to function with the Apache web server and the AJP13 workers we configure for you.

Master and Private Classpaths

The Tomcat server has a master classpath that contains most common Java packages. Every JAR file in the master classpath is available for use by all web sites and Java web applications. We provide a number of JAR files in the master classpath for you by default. Here are a few key examples:

• MySQL JDBC drivers
• PostgreSQL JDBC drivers
• JavaMail API JAR
• Xerces JAR
• ... and more

If you need additional JAR files installed - you can install them anytime. Simply upload your JAR files to your Tomcat installation in the following location:

• /tomcat-users/yoursite.com/common/lib

(Note: Replace yoursite.com with the domain name for your web site.)

Once you have added in your JAR files, simply restart the Tomcat instance and the new classes will be available for immediate use.

Tomcat Manager Included

We provide all JSP Servlet hosting accounts access to the Tomcat Manager application. The Tomcat Manager application allows you to perform a variety of management functions on your Java web applications in real time through a simple web based GUI. The Tomcat Manager's management functions include listing, deploying, undeploying, starting, stopping and restarting your web applications.

(You can learn more about the Tomcat Manager application on the Jakarta Tomcat web site.)

MySQL and PostgreSQL Database Support

All of our JSP Servlet web hosting plans include support for both MySQL and PostgreSQL databases. JDBC drivers are preinstalled and available included for both types of databases. In addition, we provide both phpMyAdmin and phpPgAdmin for simple, web based MySQL and PostgreSQL database administration. <%@ include file="/ssi/learn-about-sales-links.jsp" %>