LiteSpeed Web Server Users' Manual

Version 4.2 Rev. 5
Configuration

Script Handler

LiteSpeed Web Server supports all scripting languages including Perl, PHP, Ruby, Python, Java, etc. Scripts written in these different languages must be brought to the appropriate external application to be processed. LiteSpeed Web Server uses script handlers to decide which external application a script should go to. These script handlers map files to external applications by using the file suffix. (Actually, the suffix is used to determine a MIME type which is then mapped to the external application.) External applications must be set up in the {PAGE= ExtApp_Help} tab before they can be selected for use in a script handler. You can set up script handler at the server or virtual host level. Server-level script handlers apply to all virtual hosts unless overridden in virtual host level. Virtual host-level script handlers only apply within that virtual host.

Table of Contents

Script Handler Settings

Suffix | Type | Handler Name | 

SuffixGo to top
Description: Specifies the script file suffixes that will be handled by this script handler. Suffixes must be unique.
Syntax: Comma delimited list with period "." character prohibited.
Tips: The server will automatically add a special MIME type ("application/x-httpd-[suffix]") for the first suffix in the list. For example, MIME type "application/x-httpd-php53" will be added for suffix "php53". Suffixes after the first need to set up in the MIME Settings settings.
Though we list suffixes in this field, the script handlers use MIME types, not suffixes, to decide which scripts to handle. You can thus use the Apache configuration directives "AddType" and "ForceType" (which control file MIME types) in .htaccess files to change which script handler certain files will use. For example, with the directive AddType application/x-httpd-php53 .php in a properly placed .htaccess file, you can stipulate that php files in this directory have the MIME type "application/x-httpd-php53" and thus will be handled by the script handler that uses MIME type "application/x-httpd-php53" (suffix "php53"). This then allows you to assign different script handlers, not only for different file suffixes, but also based on the locations of files.
[Performance & Security] Only specify the suffixes you really need.
TypeGo to top
Description: Specifies the type of external application that processes these script files. Available types are: CGI, FastCGI, Web Server, LSAPI app, Load balancer, or Servlet Engine. For FastCGI, Web Server and Servlet Engine, a Handler Name needs to be specified. This is an external application name as predefined in the External Application section.
Syntax: Select from drop down list
Handler NameGo to top
Description: Specifies the name of the external application that processes the script files when the handler type is FastCGI, Web Server, LSAPI, Load Balancer, or Servlet Engine.
Syntax: Select from drop down list