Path mapping overview

This section explains the path mapping that occurs when you install Crystal Enterprise and configure Web Connectors on your web servers. On Windows, if you install the Web Connector on a machine that is running a supported web server, the setup program generally performs these mappings automatically as part of the installation process. On UNIX web servers, you must generally configure these mappings yourself. (See Installing Web Connectors for more information).

When you integrate Crystal Enterprise with your existing web environment using Web Connectors, mapping occurs at several levels:

• First, virtual directories on the web server are mapped to the Crystal Enterprise "web content" and viewer directories on the web server machine. These mappings ensure that the web server can locate all HTML files, images, and viewer components that may be required by a Crystal Enterprise request.

  For details, see Web server virtual directory mappings.

• Second, Crystal Enterprise file types are mapped to the Web Connector, so the web server knows that those files require additional server-side processing. This application mapping ensures that the web server handles the relevant Crystal Enterprise file types differently to HTML and image files.

  For details, see Web server application mappings.

• Third, a virtual path mapping is made in the Web Connector. This mapping ensures that the Web Component Server (WCS) is able to locate its own local copies of all relevant Crystal Enterprise files.

  Note:    On Windows, this third mapping is typically required only when the Web Connector and the Web Component Server are installed on separate machines.

  For details, see Web Connector virtual path mappings.

The Web Connector installation and configuration steps described later in this section usually configure these mappings appropriately. Additional details to help you customize, modify, or troubleshoot your installation are provided in Troubleshooting path mappings.

Note:    If a firewall separates your web server from the WCS or from other Crystal Enterprise components, you will need to make additional changes to your configuration. For details, see the section on working with firewalls in the Crystal Enterprise Administrator's Guide.