Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to questions typically asked by departments whose accounts are hosted on the UNLV web server. If you can't find what you need here, please send us a help request.

What kind of machine is the web server running on?
The web server is running on a Sun Fire V480.

What operating system are you using?
The operating system is Solaris (UNIX).

What web server software are you running?
The web server software is Apache. We also run an Apache-SSL server for users who need to set up secure pages. See our secure server page for details.

What is the fully qualified domain name?
www.unlv.edu

What is the hostname?
www.unlv.edu

What is my quota?
We do not set quotas on accounts; however, please keep in mind that you are sharing space with other users. People who use their accounts for inappropriate purposes, such as to store large numbers of personal files or to back up their computer hard drives, will be warned to remove the files. Failure to do so will result in removal of the files and closure of the account.

What applications are available?

Are FrontPage extensions supported on the web server?
No, FrontPage extensions are not supported. You can install a CGI script to handle your needs or use one of the pre-installed scripts already available.

What database is available?
MySQL accounts are available upon request. To request an account, visit our MySQL accounts page.

Which cgi scripts do you have pre-installed?
We have form handling, counter, and survey/quiz building scripts pre-installed.

Can I install my own cgi scripts?
Yes, CGI access is available upon request. See our CGI access page for details.

Can I convert my account to a shell account?
Accounts are automatically set up with FTP access only; however, shell accounts are available upon request. See our shell access page for details.

Does the web server support server-side includes?
Yes, you can use server-side includes on your webpages. See our server-side includes page for details.

Which FTP program should I use?
You may use any Secure FTP application. Software recommendations are listed on our web publishing information page.

Which HTML authoring program should I use?
Macromedia Contribute is an excellent choice for "non-technical" users who need an easy solution for updating and maintaining their existing website. For more experienced designers or individuals interested in becoming proficient at website development, we strongly recommend Dreamweaver MX 2004. This version supports secure FTP, which is required to publish to the web server. If you need an image editing or illustration application, the Macromedia Studio MX 2004 bundle includes Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, and Freehand. The Adobe Creative Suite, which includes Photoshop and Illustrator, is another excellent choice. UNLV has a site license with Macromedia. Both Dreamweaver and the Studio bundle are available through Campus Computing Services. For more information, see UNLV's Macromedia licensing information page.