Mini-Console
The WebSuite mini-console is not part of the web server itself, rather a separate program providing real-time monitoring and interaction. The console is automatically launched by default whenever the server is started, though it can be started or stopped independently of the server.
The primary display area of the server shows a graph of current activity plus actual usage statistics. The bar-graph portion of the display shows the amount of data transferred by the server in 60-second intervals. Clicking on the individual bars displays the number of active users, bytes transferred, and transfer rate for that specific 60-second interval. The colors of the bar indicate the relationship with each other during the entire 60-minute sampling, darker colors for light activity, brighter colors for heavy activity.
The line-graph displays the number of concurrent users accessing the system. The stats include the number of active users, total session requests, as well as the total number of bytes transferred by the server since it went online.
Detailed information regarding the current status of the server can be displayed by clicking on the top row of the display area that contains the server statistics, as well as the various buttons on the console. This information includes:
Statistics Display
Active Users
Identifies the number of users concurrently accessing the server. An active user is determined to be any user that has had communications with the server within the prior five minutes. Clicking on the active users will display a sorted list of all active users. Choose from the list to see specific details regarding the user.
Session Count
Represents the total number of unique user sessions that have been requested of the server. A session is determined to be a request upon the server emanating from a unique IP address. This does not accurately specify the number of actual users since many ISPs utilize proxy and caching servers to access external web resources.
Connection Requests
Specifies the actual number of connection request placed to the server. A connection request consists of a browser or user inquiry of the server, such as getting a page or image, or posting a form. This does not correlate one-to-one with page requests since a page will likely contain embedded objects, such as images and applets, each of which will generate a connection request.
Bytes Sent
The total number of bytes sent by the server in responsive to s user request.
Bytes Received
The total number of bytes received by the server as the result of user requests or data transfer.
Read Requests
The total number of read requests generated by the server. This does not correspond to the unique number of requests since an individual request can be split into multiple read requests. This is governed by the size of the read buffer. You can fine-tune this value by observing the average bytes per read statistic and adjusting the read buffer in the server configuration area.
Write Requests
The total number of write requests generated by the server. This does not correspond to the unique number of requests since an individual request can be split into multiple write requests. This is governed by the size of the write buffer. You can fine-tune this value by observing the average bytes per write statistic and adjusting the write buffer in the server configuration area.
Active Page Requests
The total number of page requests that were active pages. An active page contains dynamic content that is resolved at the time the page is requested, and has an "AP" or "APX" file extension. WebSuite's internal just-in-time compiler provides substantially enhanced performance as a result.
Active Page Bytes Generated
The total number of bytes actually generated in response to an active page request. Since active pages are resolved on the fly, their output size is usually unknown until the time of the request.
Average Bytes Per Read
The average number of bytes read by the server in response to a read request. This is a function of the number of read requests and the size of the read buffer.
Average Bytes Per Write
The average number of bytes written by the server in response to a write request. This is a function of the number of write requests and the size of the write buffer.
Average Bytes Per Active Page
The average number of bytes generated per active page in response to a request for an active page.
Retries
The number of retries, or retransmission attempts, that the server has generated in response to a read or write request. This is most often the result collision traffic on the net or line noise within the connection. If this is a consistently large number you may wish to have your connection checked by your provider.
Errors
The number of TCP/IP errors reported by the server as the result of processing a communications transaction. If this is a consistently large number you may wish to have your connection and/or hardware/software configuration checked by your provider.
Error Percentage
The percentage of errors generated in the course of communication transactions as a function of total processed transactions. If this is a consistently large number you may wish to have your connection and/or hardware/software configuration checked by your provider.
Update Statistics Graph
This option will cause the visual display of the mini-console to be redisplayed.
System Options
Server Configuration
Displays the current settings for the server and allows configuration modification.
Statistics
Provides access to the real-time server statistics. See previous section for details.
Monitoring
Real-time monitoring of actual server requests and processes are displayed in the SmartDesk Output window. This option allows you to minimize, maximize, restore, or remove the display window. Note that the output window will be automatically redisplayed in the event a monitored activity occurs.
Logging
This option displays information about the current web logging features, including file name and location, size, date and time of last update, as well as current logging options.
Server is RUNNING/STOPPED
Displays the current online status of the server. This option acts as a toggle when selected, turning the server on or off depending upon its current state.
Server Stop
Stops the server from further processing and sets its status to offline.
Server Restart
Stops the server and then restarts it, thereby resetting all internal values.
AP Cache is ON/OFF
Displays the current status of the Active Page cache. This option acts as a toggle turning the AP cache on or off depending upon its current status.
Enable Cache
Turns the Active Page caching system on. This provides advanced performance features by utilizing WebSuite's internal just-in-time compiler for displaying active pages.
Disable Cache
Turns the Active Page caching system off. This forces the server to recompile active pages each time they are requested. Most often used when programming active pages with lots of changes prior to their actual implementation.
Flush Image Cache
WebSuite automatically caches requested images that are accessed using the internal low-level image functions. This option forces the image cache to empty and start over.
Flush Active Page Cache
Forces the server to dump all pre-compiled active pages and recompile them as necessary.
Flush Logging Cache
All server log activity is automatically cached for up to 5 minutes, or subject to a predetermined amount of memory used, before being written to the system logs. Flushing the cache forces the information to be immediately written to disk. This can also be accomplished programmatically.
Flush All
This option instructs WebSuite to flush all of its internal caches.
Hot Flash
WebSuite can operate in non-transactional mode thereby allowing the behavior of the server to be fully customized. When this occurs, changes can be implemented in real-time by instituting a HotFlash command, which tells the server to reload and recompile its behavior instructions.
Server Configuration
Server Software
Identifies the internal WebSuite server version.
Name
This is the unique description provided during installation or subsequently changed via the configuration options for the server.
Port
Identifies the port currently in use by the server. Typically this is port 80, which is the default web port, but it can be any valid TCP/IP port.
Queue Size
Specifies the number of TCP/IP transactions fir the server to simultaneously process. Typically this value is 3 but can be set higher for faster machines and Internet connections.
Read Size
Specifies the size of the read buffer for the server to use when processing a read request. This should be a multiple of 16. Recommended values are from 2048-8192.
Write Size
Specifies the size of the write buffer for the server to use when processing a write request. This should be a multiple of 16. Recommended values are from 4096-16384.
Options
Not currently used, reserved for expansion.
Home
Specifies the directory that is currently being used as the "home" directory. It also represents the edge of the firewall.
Default File
Identifies the name of the file to use if no file is specified when accessing a directory on the server.
AP Cache
Identifies the current status of the active page cache.
Transaction Mode
Specifies whether the server is operating in high-performance transaction mode or if it is using the modifiable behavior instruction set.
Global Monitor
Specifies the current status of the global monitoring system.
Configuration Options
Links to the server administration system that provides the mechanism for changing server configuration information.
User Options
Local User Profile
This displays information relevant to the local server, such as address, host name, web port, and current access rights.
Active Users
Displays a sorted list of active users. Select a member from the list to see additional information for an individual user.
Recent Visitors
Display a sorted list of users within a specific time period. Select a member from the list to see additional information for an individual user.
User Sessions
Display a sorted list of all users. Select a member from the list to see additional information for an individual user.
Trace User
This option displays a list of users that can be traced. Select the desired individual and the server will trace the actual hops necessary to reach the specified address.
Lock List
Displays a list of users that are currently locked out of the server. Select a user from the list to access additional information or to unlock them.
User Information
Address
Specifies the IP address used by the user.
Client Name
Identifies the client name associated with the user's computer.
Host Name
The name of the access host, or localhost if accessing the server from the local machine.
Browser
The HTTP browser string identifying the user's browser and operating system. Most systems start with Mozilla, which is a reference to the original Netscape browser. This is used for general compatibility. Then, the actual browser and Operating system are identified in parenthesis.
Recent Request
Identifies the most recent transaction request on the WebSuite server by this user.
Referring Document
Specifies the web location where the most recent request (see above) was generated.
Access Rights
Displays the current access status for the user, either Normal or locked.
Lock User Access
Will disable the user's IP access to this server. Note the other users using proxy or caching servers to access this system will also be denied access.
Unlock User
Restore access rights to the specified IP address.
Trace User
Loads the Windows program TRACERT and begins a trace of the specified user in a separate window.
Jump Options
Selecting a JUMP option will display the specified page in your browser. You must have previously loaded a browser and select the browser type the first time you use a jump command. If your browser version is not listed, select the version that is closest to the one you are using.
Home
Display the main home page of the local server site, INDEX.HTM.
Chat
Display the main page of the chat system.
Guest Book
Display the provided guest book with any comments that have been added.
Downloads
Display the contents of the \sdweb\home\download directory in a sorted file listing, available for download.
Logging
Access the internal server log file.
Drive Info
Display the local drive information for the server machine. This is provided in the secure private desktop area of the server site.
Public Desktop
Display the primary screen for the public desktop portion of the local web server site.
Private Desktop
Display the primary screen for the private desktop portion of the local web server site.
Server Statistics
Display the current server statistics.
Server Configuration
Access the server configuration screen to modify the behavior of the server.
VNS Configuration
Access the Virtual Name Server functionality of the server. This is no longer available with the free version of WebSuite.
VirtualPROMOTE
Access the VirtualPROMOTE web site that can assist you in receiving better ranking within the search engines.
SmartDesk
Access the SmartDesk web site which now consists of a modified search directory.
Browser Configuration
Change the default browser identification.
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