OpenCms URLs

The URL retrieval mechanism in OpenCms can be confusing to new users. When processing a request, OpenCms translates the requested URL to a VFS resource path before delivering the file.

The cause for misunderstanding and trouble is that translation pays attention to the current site of the request. When logged into the workspace the site can be changed with the Site select box at the top of the window. The current site of external requests (from outside the workspace) is determined automatically from the request URL.

Formal URL Syntax and request URL translation process

The formal syntax of OpenCms URLs can be written as follows:

OpenCmsUrl ::=    Site ServletPath RequestPath
Site ::=          Protocol "://" Host ":" {Port}
ServletPath ::=   "/" WebappName "/opencms"
RequestPath ::=   SystemPath | ResourcePath
SystemPath ::=    "/system/" ResourcePath
ResourcePath ::=  "/" { [PathCharacter]+ "/"? }*
PathCharacter ::= A valid file or directory name character

The Site is matched against the servers defined in opencms-system.xml. The matching site is selected as the current site to serve the request.

In order to finally determine the VFS resource path of the requested file OpenCms adds the uri attribute of the current site in front of the RequestPath unless it is equal to the current site of the browser session.

When a SystemPath is requested no translation is applied.

Example

Consider a request for the following URL on the OpenCms default installation:

http://localhost:8080/opencms/opencms/sites/default/index.jsp

where opencms-system.xml defines a single default site:

<sites>
  <workplace-server>http://localhost:8080</workplace-server>
  <default-uri>/sites/default</default-uri>
  <site server="http://localhost:8080" uri="/sites/default"/>
</sites>

The URL is parsed into the following elements:

Site: http://localhost:8080
ServletPath: /opencms/opencms
RequestPath: /sites/default/index.jsp

The final VFS resource path after URL translation is

• /sites/default/index.jsp if called from a logged in browser (e.g. from the Explorer)
• /sites/default/sites/default/index.jsp if called from a logged out browser (HTTP 404)

Explanation: The effects of URL translation

It makes sense to distinguish internal and external URLs: The ResourcePath of internal URLs is always the absolute VFS path whereas the ResourcePath for external URLs must always be relative to the configured uri attribute of the site server that matches the request URL.

The correct external URL for the file /sites/default/index.jsp therefore is http://localhost:8080/opencms/opencms/index.jsp.

If you set the uri attribute of a site in opencms-system.xml to /, you will expose the complete VFS hierarchy. By not doing so, you can protect parts of the VFS. They will not be accessible from outside the workplace.