New to JSP-Netbeans, external tomcat server

[dropez]

Greetings.

I'm very new at JSP developing so my questions are probably a litle bit basic.
I'm developing a dinamic jsp web site for my company (kind of a personal project) to be running on the company's Tomcat Server.
The specifications of the server are the following:

java.vm.version: 1.4.2_04-b05
java.version 1.4.2_04
Tomcat Version: Apache Tomcat/5.0.25


I really could use some help on configuring this whole thing.
First of all, is there a way of configuring this server over netbeans so each time i deploy the aplication it gets deployed on the server? The server is running 24hrs a day so the only thing i need is for netbeans to create the war file and deploy the browser, firefox in my case, calling directly ../externalserver/webpage instead of //localhost/webpage.
I tried to add the server to netbeans but it always asks for CATALINA_HOME wich i think i dont need since it is only needed for installing the server. There is probably another way to do this but i really cant figure it and i'm afraid of crashing the server.

Second of all, what about debugging? is it possible for me monitor what's happening with the application in the server using just the debbuger from netbeans?

[shwein]

i use the eclipse IDE, it let you create severs wich you can start from the IDE(Apache, Tomcat,...)

[dropez]

i use the eclipse IDE, it let you create severs wich you can start from the IDE(Apache, Tomcat,...)

I don't want to start the server. The server is already running 24hrs a day. I want to connect netbeans with the companys server to develop and test the aplication directly in that server.

[shwein]

can't you just import an external server in your netbeans set up launch conf(external), an then guide the export to a server-dir(ROOT for example).
The external server conf. file should not be adjusted...i guess ;)

[dropez]

can't you just import an external server in your netbeans set up launch conf(external), an then guide the export to a server-dir(ROOT for example).
The external server conf. file should not be adjusted...i guess ;)

I probably can... i just dont know how! :confused:

[shwein]

maybe this can help:
NetBeans Wiki: AddExternalTomcat

[dropez]

That is how i have my local Tomcat server instaled in netbeans. The problem is i don't want netbeans to start the server every time i run the the aplication neither i want it to stop the server every time i close netbeans wich is what happens when things are configured that way. I only need netbeans to create the .war file in the remote server and to launch the browser pointing to the server. And of course, i want to do it using netbeans so i can be able to debug the aplication in both client and server sides.

[shwein]

I don't think its possible to 'debug' an webapp(servlet) on a running remote server.
But my knowledge regarding this topic isn't all that much...sry.
But i do think its possible to export to a remote server...

[dropez]

After some more hours of research i finally found the solution for my problem and i'll post it here in case anyone ever needs it:

First of all i found that if Tomcat is installed and running as a service in the remote machine Netbeans wont be able to start or stop it. It will just simply build the "projectname.war" file in the correct folder over the server and deploy the web browser pointing to the servlet running on the remote server. It should be safe to give the url of CATALINA_HOME on the remote server.

About the debug issue. It's possible but only if you have administrator privelegies over the server as you will need to open a port and build a tunnel through the server firewall to connect to that port.
The how to is explained in the following link:

ww .stefanolocati.it/blog/?p=133

I can't post it has a direct link because i'm still missing a few posts to have that privelege. Sorry. :D
I haven't yet tried this solution but the logic seems acceptable. More developments maybe tomorow as i'm done for the day. :cool: