url / question

[fenix]

I was told that if you use a URL with a forward slash at the end of the address, then you will always connect to the same server, which may not be the optimal server to connect to when going to a busy website.

Similarily, by deleting the fwd slash at the end, you will connect to the best available server.

Can someone confirm/deny this ?

thx

 

[bcastner]

Not true.

First, your DNS server will determine the address you obtain.

Second, IE will substitute for http:\\

http://www.myurl.com

the form http:\\

http://www.myurl.com\

automaticly in every instance.

 

[fenix]

thx for the reply

When I have had problems with my trading website and call tech support for advice, I have been told by a few people to re-type in the same address instead of using the address that stays in my address box (on the task bar). This didn't make any sense to me since nothing happens until you hit 'enter'. That was the motivation for the question that you answered.

On the same line of thought, another tech support person there once told me NOT to use a shortcut icon on the desktop to go to the website because of the same reason: that a shortcut icon will always go to the same website server, and that server may be loaded up, hence giving me slow real time quotes and lockups etc.

Is this also false ?

thx again.

 

[bcastner]

If the shortcut used the IP form of addressing for the remote site I would tend to agree. But if it uses the DNS entry name I disagree. It depends on how specific the shortcut was made to be.

http:\

http://www.yahoo.com

Good shortcut.

rather than:

http:\\

http://www.yahoo.com\index.htm\?query=start.asp

and certainly rather than:

http:\\66.218.71.198

 

[fenix]

I am referring to making a shortcut icon on my desktop by clicking and dragging the explorer icon at the beginning of the url which is the specific address of the webpage that I open.

Not sure how to apply the information given in the last post to using this shortcut technique. Does this go to a specific server, or to the best available ?

 

[bcastner]

There is no absolute answer. If you click on my Web Page and make a shortcut you will only get one server, as that is all I have.

If you clicked a Google shortcut you could get one of hundreds of different servers, but not a particular one.

If you drag and drop the explorer icon you are dragging and dropping the DNS form and not the IP form in almost all cases. So for any site with multiple servers you should be fine.

 

[fenix]

thx again, seems that they were blowing smoke with their info as this website must have multiple servers.

 

[realm174]

fenix, look at it this way... Say you're the only person who's name is fenix in the entire world. Your name is totally unique. Say, everybody knows your name, and know where you live. So here I come, telling bcastner "Hey buddy, I'm going to fenix, meet me there ok?" We will both end up at your address, because there is only one fenix that goes to only one address.

Same goes with websites. One specific name goes to one specific address. Using or not using the / at the end makes no difference. Using the shortcut you copied or dragged onto your desktop, or saved in your favorites, makes no difference than if you typed the exact URL, you'll get to the same point anyway. And if someday that address doesn't work anymore, (because they have removed the specific page) then none of the shortcut will work, nor will the typed version.

It might be worth it to locate some Internet tutorial and learn how things work behind the scenes... then you won't get people blowing smoke up your wazoo...



Cheers,

Realm174

 

[fenix]

great little story, but it doesn't seem to apply to the main question about multiple servers and which one would get you in......are there not multiple servers at high traffic websites ? OF COURSE I know I would arrive at the same website, and all the different servers respond to the same url, but your analogy didn't address what the question was, IMHO.

For instance, what if my house had 6 doors and I could only let my friend in through a door that didn't have a line in front of it with other people waiting to see me ? (I'm soooo popular !!!! ha ha)

Anyway, same house-different doors (ways to get in) :: Same website- different servers. Whadaya think ?

(thx to bcaster for the explanations)

 

[realm174]

Actually, despite the flaws in the analogy, the point is,

http://www.whatever.com

will go to one IP address. Not a list of possible IP addresses. Whether you have a / or no / at the end, that's still at the same IP address.



Cheers,

Realm174

 

[fenix]

OK, about the last reply, not sure if your saying my analogy or yours was flawed. But anyway, I DO understand that with or without a fwd slash, it goes to the same website. That was answered and well explained by bcastner.

the point still is that different servers can respond to the same website, if that website uses more than one server. In the original post, I mentioned that I was told that a fwd slash, or using a desktop icon, will always respond to the same Server, and that server may already have enough 'load' or traffic on it. Maybe I have a misconception somewhere, but it still seems like you are not addressing this point. About multiple servers running the same website. No big, I think we wore this one out.