Punt the Proxy

Hi list!

Are you aware of the discussion at new-httpd@apache.org to punt the Proxy from the source tree?

Very strong opinions are expressed there, against mod_proxy as a part of an HTTP server, against mod_proxy as a module without a maintainer, etc., etc.

I believe that most of us opposed these opinions. On the other hand, most of us don't have time to join the main list and receive the zillion messages, so are not aware of that discussion, and almost nobody tries to argue with the opinions there.

I welcome subscribers of modproxy-dev to join that list (instruction at http://www.apache.org/foundation/mailinglists.html#http-dev) and express our side. To see the opinions I mentioned, please look at the following threads:

http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?t=97595977400003&w=2&r=1 http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=apache-new-httpd&m=98140196311131&w=2

The best thing we can contribute to the discussion, is somebody who will take the responsibility to be the official maintainer of this module.

But even if you can't do it, you can still:

1. Write about the importance of the module.
2. Emphasize the extra importance of the reverse proxy, and that if it is included, it will make sense to include the whole proxy.
3. Features (including ease, weight, rewrite, etc.) which are not supported by squid but only by Apache.
4. your experience with it (e.g. "I'm the webmaster of ...... and we use mod_proxy under 200,000 machines to cache the traffic of our 120 million users. Axing mod_proxy from the source tree, will not only cause us a problem, but also lower its netcraft statistics from 60% to 2%").
5. Try to convince that today, with the new mechanism of filtered I/O in Apache 2.0, mod_proxy is an integral part of Apache more than ever. IIRC, one of the subscribers here, told about his experience with porting the proxy to use the filters API, and it sounded great.
6. Send patches.
7. Tell them about the great success that Apache 2 is going to have: After 4 years of development, and without key parts such as proxy and SSL (now even mod_rewrite is under danger!), I'm convinced that Apache 2 will double netcraft statistics (from 60% to 120%! ;-)

Do you need help?

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Now seriously (contrary to 7): Apache 2.0 is really going to be a great thing; It will be pity if the key parts of it will be missing. So open your mouth and speak.

-- 
Eli Marmor
marmor@netmask.it
CTO, Founder
Netmask (El-Mar) Internet Technologies Ltd.
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