PURL.vt.edu
A PURL is a Persistent Uniform Resource
Locator.
Functionally, a PURL is a URL. However, instead of pointing directly
to the location of an Internet resource, a PURL points to an
intermediate resolution service. The PURL resolution service
associates the PURL with the actual URL and returns that URL to the
client. The client can then complete the URL transaction in the
normal fashion. In Web parlance, this is a standard HTTP
redirect.
If you would like to register a PURL please contact hosting@vt.edu.
A PURL looks like this: http://purl.vt.edu/mywebsite which may redirect to
e.g. http://www.mydepartment.vt.edu/myfolder/myfile.html