[mod_python] Installing mod_python without root-permissions.

Thanx for your extensive answer. And yes, I've had some thoughts of
setting up my own server at the account, but I think the second
problem you point out will be the killing one. The provider will for
shore not like user-specific servers hanging around eating system
resources. I have a server at home that I could use, but it would be
very nice to be able to guarantee a better uptime than I can do with
that one.

So I guess I should just should have a look at the Jyton/JSP solution
anyway, I don't really like it either, but who knows, maybe it could
be a good thing.

..Erik

On Fri, 07 Jan 2005 21:45:24 -0500, Jorey Bump <list at joreybump.com> wrote:
> Erik Billing wrote:
>
> > Greetings. I wonder if it's possible to install mod_python on a debian
> > system with Apache, without having root-permissions.
>
> You are unlikely to be able to get it to work with your provider's
> instance of apache, but it *might* be possible to compile your own
> apache/python/mod_python and run it on an alternate port.
>
> Potential problems:
>
> - Necessary build tools and libraries inaccessible or not installed
> - Provider may not like to see users run services on alternate ports
> - Firewall may prevent incoming connections to unprivileged (high) ports
> - Obviously, you will need to use http://host:1234/foo.py/bar syntax
>
> Advantages:
>
> - You can install the latest versions
> - You can restart apache as needed (common when first using mod_python)
> - You can configure/customize apache to your heart's content
> - You don't have to use tomcat/JSP (hooray!)
>
> With that said, Debian makes mod_python easy to install. I have
> production machines still using Woody, and the mod_python package works
> extremely well. It only requires a few edits to httpd.conf to get
> running after you apt-get it. It's a shame they won't install it for you
> (although it is nice to tweak httpd.conf yourself).
>
> The truth is, you should build a server at home and get acquainted with
> mod_python before you commit yourself to a hosting arrangement. You may
> find server colocation more to your liking. I prefer to run mod_python
> in a tightly controlled (read "non-multiuser") environment.
>
>
> > I'm currently developing a web-service using standard python-cgi
> > scripts, but my application is now getting too heavy for it to work well
> > as a cgi and I've started too look around for an alternative. Mod_python
> > clearly seams to be a great solution, but there is one problem. I intend
> > to host the service with a web-server provider that does not support
> > mod_python. I have a shell-account thaw, and I am allowed to compile and
> > install my own applications there, so I was hoping it would in some way
> > be possible to load install mod_python on a user-specific basis.
> >
> > As I half-expect this not to be possible, I still have too ask. And if
> > anybody knows any other way to achieve an alternative to python-cgi,
> > that doesn't involve apache modules which requires root-permissions, it
> > would be greatly appreciated. I have access to Tomcat and have some kind
> > of thought of using JSP through JPython, but since I'm not so much into
> > JSP I would really need a kick in the right direction.
> >
> > Regards ..Erik Billing (erik at ekhagen.org)