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Multiple Site Manager problem (I think). Setup and Result are as follows….

—Mac OSX Server 10.5 running fine with EE-standard .htaccess files and “Allow All Overrides” checked for domains #1 & #2;
—EE 2.3.1 and CP humming along;
—Domain folders #1, #2, #3, #4 all contained within single “cluster” folder;
—Main domain#1 folder contains renamed (EE home) “system” folder and now works fine with “index.php” hidden in Web-page and Forum (3.1.6) URLs;
—MSM 2.1.1 installed and active, Site#2 created OK and has template group, default site/index template, and default Channel Status “Open”;
—“index.php” file in root folder of Site#2 is clone of “index.php” in Site#1 but with system-path adjusted;
—Sites #1 and #2 test “site/index” templates are still only HTML, no EE tags etc yet;
—Site#1 path is “$system_path = ‘./system’;” in Configuration and works perfectly;
—Site#2 path is “$system_path = ‘../site1/system’;” in Configuration, home page loads (?) without error message, but…..

RESULT:  Site#2 displays nothing, no index template or error, and browser “View Source” is empty for Site#2. Alternate index file “index.html” works (displays content) if expressly requested in URL for Site#2 (index.php or index.html are accepted in that order by Mac OSX Server for Site#2); Site#2 URL with “index.php” appended is still blank.

Note: I had MSM working last year (in EE 1) with all four domains; I was using “path.php” files (now deleted). I dimly recall :red:  that system-path settings had to be tweaked big-time. Details lost in fog. Hoping for Mac OSX or UNIX veteran with total recall….

Hi bmewhinney,

Around line 43 of index.php you’ll see the following

// $assign_to_config[‘site_name’]  = ‘domain2_short_name’;
// $assign_to_config[‘cp_url’] = ‘http://domain2.com/admin.php’;
// $assign_to_config[‘site_url’] = ‘http://domain2.com’;

Could you un-comment those lines and add in the correct details where site_name is the short name you assigned to your site in MSM.

Sean

Howdy, Sean. Thanks for reply. I had already uncommented those three lines in “index.php” (the copy within the Site#2 root folder) and I also checked in that file that the “assign_to_config” MSM data for Site#2 is accurate.

Possible clue…. Subtle and even drastic changes in system-path setting in Site#2 “index.php” all produce a blank home page when domain URL is requested. No error message. Odd. I will try a full server path next (as system-path setting in Site#2 “index.php”).

UPDATE 11/29/11: I have removed the “index.html” file from the root folder of Site#2, so that the server is forced to try “index.php” (which still produces only a blank page). Having cleared the browser cache, now requesting the Site#2 URL with nothing or either “index.html” OR “index.php” appended produces a blank page. I will of course need to reinstate the “index.html” file soon, unless MSM can bring Site#2 to life.
UPDATE 11/30/11: Turned off MSM, and replaced the “index.html” file in the root folder of Site#2. Awaiting expert guidance.

Hi bmewhinney,

A few more questions for you.

on Site2 when you visit site2.com/admin.php (be sure to set the system path correctly) are you able to login to the control panel?
Could you try setting a full server path rather than a relative path?
One last question could you check if there are any open_basedir restrictions set on the server?

Sean

Howdy, Sean. Thanks for insights.

Q+A:

—“on Site2 when you visit site2.com/admin.php (be sure to set the system path correctly) are you able to login to the control panel?”
    YES, THAT WORKS.
—“Could you try setting a full server path rather than a relative path?”
    EVERY FULL-SERVER-PATH TRIED PRODUCED BLANK BROWSER PAGE; TRIED WITH SINGLE OR DOUBLE DOTS PRECEDING, ETC.
—“One last question could you check if there are any open_basedir restrictions set on the server?
    PHPINFO SEZ open_basedir HAS “NO VALUE”, I.E. IS OFF

SEAN et al: I am abandoning this MSM quest, having re-installed 3 times etc, and fiddled with configs, system paths, and so on. My need for Site#2 is merely to enable shopping-cart commerce functionality. I’m not reassured by MSM reliability and the necessary degree of tinkering on configurations, plus unknown security risks. I will stick with EE for publishing in Site#1, but I will deploy Zen Cart for ecommerce in Site#2. Oddly, I had few problems getting 4 sites running with MSM in EE 1.

Thanks for sleuthing with me. —Bruce

Bruce,

I’m sorry that we were not able to help you the way you expected. My next suggestion based on what you stated here is to to copy the path setting from admin.php (since it works) and past it into index.php.

Thanks again, Sean. I had already tried with the “path setting from admin.php (since it works)” copied into index.php, but no luck. At this point, whether the MSM problem is an EE problem or due to an unknown intricacy within Mac OS X Server, I’m sufficiently wary of MSM to steer clear and simply run ecommerce Site#2 with Zen Cart.
ExpressionEngine, on the other hand, is so absolutely reliable, adaptable, and perfect a CMS for the Web! I will be a happy EE-publisher fo’evah.  :coolsmile:

Hi bmewhinney,

I’m sorry to see that you have decided to forgo MSM at this time, however, I can understand. If you decide to give it another shot, do let me know. I have been a Mac OS X Server Admin since 10.1, and have run EE on Server for 6yrs. There isn’t anything particular about OS X Server or ExpressionEngine that should keep MSM from running smoothly. Is there anything else I can assist you with?

Cheers!

Hi, Dan & Sean. Let’s bury this thread, since it’s unresolved…. “PEBKAC” (as the Tech Support crews used to code it, “Problem Exists Between Keyboard And Chair”).
My instinct is that MSM, if subjected to strict bondage and very precise system-path configuration, would work fine on Mac OS X Server. My decision to abandon MSM is partly due to its highly coding-dependent temperament (I’m a GUI kind of guy), but mostly due to my need for much more “ecommerce” functionality than MSM, Site#2, and the Simple Commerce module together would permit. Thanks again.  :coolsmile:

bmewhinney,

I’m going to close the thread at your request. Don’t hesitate to post again when you need more assistance.

Sean