SharePoint – Portal Short URL resolution / Redirect to fully Qualified URL

I came across a user requirement to ensure that the short URL for a portal was resolved to a fully qualified domain URL. For example when users access http://portal they are automatically redirected to the fully qualified URL http://portal.contoso.com .

By default, what happens is when you enter a short URL, say http://portal/IT the browser shows the short URL rather than a fully qualified URL http://portal.contoso.com/IT

You really want the best of both worlds!! Allowing the user to type in whatever they want but resolving this automatically in the background. I find that the users want to simply type in the short URL as it is easier and quicker.

In my case, the business had a specific requirement to ensure consistency when sending links to documents, manage corporate branding and compatibility for bespoke application built on SharePoint.

Steps to take to implement this solution;

1	First, create a new website on the Web Server within IIS
	Add the Host Name i.e. the short URL part. See example image above.
2	Next, Select the HTTP Redirect option for the newly created website.
3	Select the option to Redirect and enter the fully qualified URL here. See example figure below.

That’s it. you may need to restart this new website.

Now test the navigation thoroughly.

SharePoint/Project Server 2013 Product Preparation Tool Error “The tool was unable to install Application Server Role, Web Server (IIS) Role”

While running the SP2013 Preparation tool I came across this issue..“The tool was unable to install Application Server Role”

Web Server role was already enabled on the server by the infrastructure team. What transpired was that the .NetFramework 3.5 was not installed by default and could not be installed by when enabling this through the ‘Add Roles and Feature Wizard’.

To resolve this issue, install .NetFramework 3.5 from the wizard but this time I chose to install from the installation media.

 

Now, complete the prerequisites using SharePoint Preparation Tool.

Voilà!!

Hope this helps.

SharePoint – Dynamically Hide Left Navigation (Re-usable Approach)

Applies: SharePoint ; Project Server

So you have deployed SharePoint and want to customise the look & feel and provide your own navigation from the Intranet/Portal Home Page/PMO Site or Project Workspace. But, you just cant seem to get rid of the left navigation. 

The easiest way to do this is to hide this navigation on page load, dynamically. Below are the steps to take;

1. First, download zipped files containing text files (SP2010 OR SP2013)  that have script to hide the navigation.
2. Extract the required file and upload to Site Collection library. any discreet library location is fine.
3. Right click on this file and copy shortcut.
4. Navigate to page where you want to hide the left navigation and select Page > Edit 
5. Insert Content Editor Webpart (under the Media Category of Webparts). See figure below.
6. Edit this Webpart and insert the Shortcut copied during step (3) above.
7. Set the Chrome State > Chrome Type to None
8. Click Apply and OK for the webpart.
9. Finally, click Save & Close on the Page Ribbon Tab

Note: to restore the left navigation, simply put the page in edit mode and delete the content editor webpart.

Hope this helps. Happy customisation and enjoy SharePoint…ing!!

Free ebook: Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview Release

Another free ebook offering from Microsoft Press. Introducing Windows Server 2012 R2 Preview Release (ISBN 9780735682931), by Mitch Tulloch with the Windows Server Team, introduces new features and capabilities, with scenario-based advice on how the platform can meet the needs of your business. Get the high-level overview you need to begin preparing your deployment now. This book is based on the Preview release and will be updated to cover Windows Server 2012 R2 RTM.

Download the PDF version of this title here (108 pages, 5 MB). UPDATE: The EPUB format is here and the MOBI format is here.

 

Watch for the lengthier RTM edition of this ebook later this year!

If you prefer a hard copy of the book, you can order it here from our official distributor, O’Reilly Media, for $9.99.