====== Running TapeTrack Utilities via Apache CGI ======

Configure Apache on Windows to allow execution of TapeTrack command-line utilities (such as TMSS10Inventory.exe) directly from a web browser using CGI.

This is useful for generating TapeTrack reports (CSV, text, etc.) through a simple URL call.

===== Overview =====

By default, Apache only executes CGI programs from a configured CGI directory (normally /cgi-bin).

To run TapeTrack executables without copying them into Apache’s CGI folder:
  * Create an Apache ScriptAlias pointing to the TapeTrack executable directory
  * Enable ExecCGI for that directory
  * Allow Apache to treat .exe files as CGI scripts



===== Prerequisites =====

  * Apache 2.4 installed on Windows (example path: C:\Apache24)
  * TapeTrack Server Utilities installed (example path:C:\Program Files\TapeTrack\TapeTrack Server Utilities\bin\tapetrack)
  * Apache running as a Windows Service or console process

===== Locate the TapeTrack Executable Folder =====

TapeTrack utilities are typically located in:

<code> C:\Program Files\TapeTrack\TapeTrack Server Utilities\bin\tapetrack </code>

Some installations may place the TapeTrack install on anther drive, such as D

===== Edit Apache Configuration =====

Open the Apache configuration file: C:\Apache24\conf\httpd.conf

Add the following configuration near the existing ScriptAlias section.

Add this line:

<code apache> ScriptAlias /tapetrack/ "C:/Program Files/TapeTrack/TapeTrack Server Utilities/bin/tapetrack/" </code>

This creates a new URL path:

<code> http://localhost/tapetrack/ </code>

which maps directly to:

<code> C:\Program Files\TapeTrack\TapeTrack Server Utilities\bin\tapetrack\ </code>

===== Enable CGI Execution for .exe Files =====

Add this directory block:

<code apache> <Directory "C:/Program Files/TapeTrack/TapeTrack Server Utilities/bin/tapetrack"> \\
 AllowOverride None 
 Options +ExecCGI 
 Require all granted 
 AddHandler cgi-script .exe 
</Directory> </code>

This tells Apache allow CGI execution in this folder, treat .exe files as CGI programs.

===== (Recommended) Restrict Access to Localhost Only =====

For security reasons, it is strongly recommended to restrict execution of TapeTrack executables to the local machine only.

Replace:

<code apache> Require all granted </code>

with:

<code apache> Require local </code>

Final recommended configuration:

<code apache> ScriptAlias /tapetrack/ "C:/Program Files/TapeTrack/TapeTrack Server Utilities/bin/tapetrack/"

<Directory "C:/Program Files/TapeTrack/TapeTrack Server Utilities/bin/tapetrack">
AllowOverride None
Options +ExecCGI
Require local
AddHandler cgi-script .exe
</Directory>
</code>

===== Restart Apache =====

After saving httpd.conf, restart Apache.

From an Administrator Command Prompt:

<code>net stop Apache2.4 
net start Apache2.4 </code>

Or restart Apache via Windows Services.

===== Test Execution in Web Browser =====

Open a browser and visit:

<code> http://localhost/tapetrack/TMSS10Inventory.exe?S=user:-pass@localhost </code>

Replace user and pass with actual username and password.

If CGI is configured correctly, Apache will execute the program instead of downloading it.

=====Running TapeTrack Inventory Report from Browser =====

TapeTrack utilities accept command-line arguments. CGI allows passing arguments via the query string.

Example command normally run from command prompt:

<code> TMSS10Inventory.exe -S user:-passsword@localhost </code>

To run this through the browser, use:

<code> http://localhost/tapetrack/TMSS10Inventory.exe?S=user:-pass@localhost </code>

Notes:

? begins the argument list

spaces are replaced with +

To avoid using your password in plain text in the URL, create a file C:\tapetrack\pw\user where user is the username and the contents of the file is the users password.  The -S arg only needs to specify -S user@locahost and the password will be looked up by the process.

Attributes are separated using the & symbol

=====Setting Report Format  =====

TapeTrack utilities can output different formats depending on environment variables.

To force CSV output, the variable may be required, in a command prompt:

<code> TMSSREPORTFORMAT=CSV </code>

Other formats are text (default), PDF & Excel.

Using CGI, to set the report format locally, use the variable RPT

<code> http://localhost/tapetrack/TMSS10Inventory.exe?S=user:-pass@localhost &RPT=CSV</code>

Or if the report format stays as CSV, you can set the value globally.

Add the following to Apache configuration (inside global scope):

<code apache> SetEnv TMSSREPORTFORMAT CSV </code>

Restart Apache after making changes.

This forces TapeTrack utilities run via Apache CGI to output in CSV format.

===== Report Variables =====

All report [[variable:start|Variables]] can be used similar to the command line interface, with the exception of syntax.

A command line example of calling TMSS10Inventory, with access details, customer filter and CSV output.

<code> set TMSSREPORTFORMAT=CSV
TMSS10Inventory -S user:-pass@localhost -V UK01.*.* </code>

Apache/CGI

<code> http://localhost/tapetrack/TMSS10Inventory.exe?S=user:-pass@localhost&V=UK01.*.*&RPT=CSV</code>


===== Example: Generate CSV Inventory Report =====

Once TMSSREPORTFORMAT is set, run:

<code> http://localhost/tapetrack/TMSS10Inventory.exe?user:-pass@localhost </code>

The browser should display the CSV output, or prompt to open it in Excel.








===== Security Warning =====

Executing .exe files over HTTP is powerful and potentially dangerous.
Recommendations:
  * Use Require local to limit access to the machine only
  * Do not expose this server to the internet
  * Consider firewall restrictions
  * Only allow execution in a controlled folder

{{tag> reports utils cgi apache technote cli}}