Link to external file, forcing a download

[embezzler]

I have been playing around with mod_rewrite and php these last days, but I do not find the correct way to solve the following situation. I would like to have a script, running on my own server, which links to an external file, like an mp3, but forcing the redirect in the background to appear as the name I choose.

For example, if there is a file like http://www.manufacturer.com/files/original.mp3, I would like to be able to present it as http://server.com/new/local.mp3.

Using mod_rewrite, I am able to remove .php extension from new.php and use php to do a redirect to the original.mp3, appearing as local.mp3. When downloading this file however, the client, like a browser, still saves it as original.mp3. Is there a way to force it to use the local.mp3 filename, without download the file first to my local machine, so not wasting any bandwith?

[richardk]

Do you have permission?

You could do it using mod_proxy and mod_rewrite (the P RewriteRule flag). However, this would use your servers transfer and bandwidth because the request would go user -> you -> manufacturer --> you --> user.

Code: Select all

Options +FollowSymLinks

RewriteEngine On

RewriteRule ^new/([^/]+\.mp3)$ http://www.example.com/files/$1 [P,L]