Linux and ASP

Traditionally, web developers that based their work on open source tools use with PHP and Linux OS. Those who prefer Microsoft or are more used to Windows based tools, use ASP Classic or ASP .NET to create their dynamic web pages.

But sometimes, you need to use Windows technologies while working with Linux.

This is one of those cases: a dedicated server with a Linux distro installed... and a website that has been created with ASP. This dedicated server has Plesk Control Panel.

Using Plesk, it is easy to install support for ASP. As easy as updating Plesk and clicking the right option from the update list displayed. And done! Well, done, except if your ASP is not based on Perl. After all, what Plesk installs is the mod_perl plug-in for Apache.

If your ASP uses VBScript (Visual Basic Script), you will have accomplished nothing. You'll have to find another solution. If your page is based in .NET with C#, you may want to use mono, an open source solution, free and available for various linux distros.

But, again, that's not possible if your site was created with VBScript... You can't rely on this solution. What next?

There is only one more thing that you can do: Installing Sun Java System Active Server Pages. Now, this is something that has not been updated since 2007. It is very annoying that Oracle, who bought Sun, changes the name of this product every single time they release a new version. It used to be Chili! Soft, and after that it was named Sun One Active Server Pages... and now Sun Java System... But that's a minor nuissance.

Finding the download page in Oracle's website, but Google definately is your friend here (and mine).

This download is completely free and if you use Jave web server, then it will remind free forever. Now, it may be different if you use Apache. The download is free but the license is simply for a trial period of 30 days.

For Apache users, the license is supposed to be free for development and testing, but not for production websites. And how much does a license cost? That's a terrific question. You go to Oracle's web and visit the store, but finding the product is really tough.. it is not listed. Probably, it is part of bundle.

Fortunately, Oracle does have a telephone number to help you with your shopping... yet, if you live outside the US, it is a nightmare and the automated system that greets you will not help you at all. Are you a Gold, silver or other member? But, maybe you're simply a developer, and maybe you don't work at a big company, with lots of resources and cash to pay... and maybe, you're not a member at all... so what department should you contact?
Then, you have the office hours which may not be the same for you if you live on the other side of the world.