Here's a tip I thought I would share. Many of the open source applications that are currently available rely on an Apache module called mod_rewrite to rewrite requested URL's on the fly. Applications such as Mambo rely on mod_rewrite being present and enabled on a server in order to produce Search Engine Friendly URL's.
Here is a way to check if mod_rewrite is enabled on your server...
- Create a file called .htaccess (note there is nothing before the file extension).
- Put only these two lines in your .htaccess file.
Options +FollowSymLinks Redirect /google.html http://www.google.com
- Upload this file to your site root on your server.
- Now point your browser to: http://www.example.com/google.html (replacing example.com with the domain name of your own website).
If you are redirected to Google, mod_rewrite is working.
If you get an error, then mod_rewrite is not working.
If mod_rewrite is not working, check Apache configuration.
Apache requirements for mod_rewrite
The Apache httpd.conf file has the settings to enable URL rewriting.
Two settings are required.
- mod_rewrite module is installed
Search file for LoadModule rewrite_module and un-comment that line (remove the leading #) - AllowOverride All
Search file for AllowOverride None and change it to AllowOverride All
Restart Apache
Restarting the Apache web server is required for the changes to take effect.
NOTE: If you are testing whether mod_rewrite is enabled for your Mambo Open Source website, you need to follow these steps:
- Rename your htaccess.txt to .htaccess, or use your existing .htaccess file.
- Enable SEF URL's in your administrator backend
- Place the following lines in your .htaccess file.
Options +FollowSymLinks Redirect /google.html http://www.google.com
- If your site is located in a sub-domain, eg. "test", you need to include the subdomain in the path, like this for example:
Options +FollowSymLinks Redirect /test/google.html http://www.google.com
- Point your browser to: http://www.example.com/google.html or http://www.example.com/subdomain/google.html (replacing example.com with the domain name of your own website and subdomain - if applicable- with your subdomain name).
If you are redirected to Google, mod_rewrite is working.
If you get an error, then mod_rewrite is not working.
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