What is CGI?
CGI (Common Gateway Interface) is a set of system rules that allow web pages to interact with external computer programs. CGI allows for greater interactivity in web pages, including features like hit-counters, blogs, galleries and shopping carts.
Activating CGI
The CGI service must be activated before you can use it.
- Go to the Member Centre.
-
Click on Website Settings on the left hand menu.
- Click on the CGI button.
- Click on the Activate CGI button.
Please allow about 4 hours for your CGI account to be created.
Once created you should be able to access CGI webspace using your browser, FTP client, Telnet or SSH client.
Your CGI Password is separate from your account password. If you change it, or your main account password, the change will not apply to the other. We recommend that you change both passwords regularly - and use different passwords for both your account and CGI.
Changing your CGI password
You can update your CGI password at any time, so long as you know your current
password. Use the Telnet terminal that comes with Windows.
- Click Start.
- Click Run.
- In the Run window, then type "telnet cshell.plus.net 23".
- In the shell window type your username, then click Enter.
- Type in your current password, then click Enter.
- You will now be in your CGI space. Type passwd.
- Type in your current password, then click Enter.
- Type in your new password, then click Enter.
- Type in your new password again, then click Enter.
Your new password will now apply to your CGI account. Remember that this password is not applied to any other part of your account, your passwords for other areas are not changed.
Accessing Your CGI
Browser
You can view your CGI space at the following address: http://ccgi.username.plus.com
Use browser access to view your pages and to run your CGI scripts, in much the same way that you view and use regular webpages. |
FTP
You can view your CGI space using an FTP program at the following address:
FTP address: ccgi.username.plus.com
Port: 21
Username and password: same as you use for accessing the Member Centre.
Use FTP access for transferring scripts and webfiles. Most FTP software will also allow you to change file permissions.
More help with using FTP |
Telnet & SSH Client
You can access your CGI space using a telnet or SSH client at the following address:
Telnet address:cshell.plus.net
Port: 23 (telnet) 22 (ssh)
Username and password: same as you use for accessing the Member Centre.
Use Telnet SSH access for direct access to your files. You can use basic Unix commands to navigate your CGI filespace and interact with your files. Windows comes with its own Telnet program, but we recommend you download a free SHH Client called Putty that's easier to use. |
Using CGI
You don't need to be a programmer and write your own CGI programs or scripts - there are lots of scripts available for free on the Internet that you can use with your Plusnet CGI service. Check out the Webspace forum for a list of CGI scripts such as blogs, Web forums that you can download and use for free. Putty download page
Setting up CGI Scripts
Telnet or SSH let you take remote control of another computer, this allows you to run programs and alter files in your CGI server space. To minimise the risk of unauthorized access to customer CGI space, access is only possible through a Plusnet connection.
We recommend that you read the CGI Avanced Guide for more details on how the service works.
PCI Compliance
Any ecommerce site you run which stores or transmits customer card data must now meet the Payment Card Industry (“PCI”) Data Security Standard (“DSS”).
If you accept, process or store payment card information for your customers you'll need to comply with these standards. This is to protect your customers’ card data.
To find out more about PCI DSS please contact your merchant acquirer. PlusNet cannot advise you in respect of your obligations in this area. However, you
may find some useful information at the PCI:
http://www.pcicomplianceguide.org/ourfaqs/pcicompliance_1.html
Important: storing your customers' payment information in a database on our servers is in direct breach of PCI Compliance and may result in heavy fines from Visa and Mastercard, or restrictions on your ability to process card payments. The measures we have already taken to protect our own customers' payment details do not apply to any card details you may be storing on our servers, and you may be expected to take further action in order to safeguard your own customers' information should it be required. |
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