Tomcat base URL redirection

java

tomcat-configuration

url-redirection

web-development

Implement base URL redirection in Tomcat by setting a welcome-file directive in web.xml:

<welcome-file-list>
    <welcome-file>redirect.jsp</welcome-file>
</welcome-file-list>

Utilize the response redirect functionality in redirect.jsp:

<%
// The magic by which you shall enter the door
   response.sendRedirect("/yourApp/destinationPage"); 
// Just call me "Gandalf".
%>

Adjust "/yourApp/destinationPage" to match your requirements. In this manner, a speedy server-side redirection is achieved.

Setting a Default Context

In Tomcat, setting up a default context extracts efficiency from your applications. Name your war file/folder as "ROOT":

<Context path="" docBase="ROOT" />

The docBase attribute must be routed to "ROOT", thus letting the traffic fly on "autobahn" towards the default context.

Be mindful of the values set in web.xml, for it can play a hero or a villain in your story.

For complex URL rewriting, stick to Apache’s tried and tested mod_rewrite via Tomcat's UrlRewriteFilter in WEB-INF/urlrewrite.xml.

<urlrewrite>
  <rule>
    <from>^/$</from>
    <to type="redirect">/app</to>
  </rule>
</urlrewrite>

This arcane redirection spell can be customized to bend URLs to your coding will.

Whenever server-side configuration feels overbearing, one can revert to a more pacific and gentle approach client-side <meta http-equiv="refresh">:

<meta http-equiv="refresh" content="0; URL='/yourApp/destinationPage'" />

While this harbors a small delay, it's fairly simple and easily deployable even by coding apprentices.

Changes are the only constant in configuration setups:

Test your configurations thoroughly.
Cross-verify the accuracy of file and folder placement in Tomcat's webapps directory.
Adapt your external server redirect operations as per changing circumstances.

When problems stick to your setup like a stubborn gum, consider these troubleshooting steps:

Recheck the file permissions for index.jsp or index.html at the webapp/ROOT directory.
Hunt down for server errors related to context or welcome-file configuration.
Ensure that the UrlRewriteFilter is having a good day without any typos in the urlrewrite.xml.