Server Question. Please help!!! 2

[Wullie]

I am wanting to set up a personal server on my windows ME machine at home for testing purposes and am looking for advice.(Be gentle, this is my first attempt)

I am on a dial up modem so I do not have a fixed IP, does this matter? I only need to access it from the machine that the server will be on.

Also, what in YOUR OPINION is the best server to use.

What I need most is something that is quite easy to set up and use.

The main types of scripts I will be using are CGI, so any other items are bonuses but not required at present.

Also what other items will I need and where will I get them?

I have perl installed already but am totally lost as where to go from here.

Thanks in advance
Wullie

http://www.survivorhelp.co.uk

 

[paulwood]

One of the simplest, and it's free, is Microsoft's personal web server if your just testing at home. I don't know what it supports though. If my memory serves correctly, you get it from the Windows CD under \add-ons\pws
I don't know that I would say it is the best, but it works, albeit with a few quirks.

Hope this helps

 

[Wullie]

Hi mate,

Thanks, I am slightly ahead of you!!

I found the PWS about an hour ago and have installed it but can`t seem to run any scripts for some reason.

One thing, PWS isn`t included with ME for some reason.
Microsoft say that you can install it but they will offer no support. You can download it from the microsoft site but it is listed under NT.

Thanks again mate
Wullie

http://www.survivorhelp.co.uk

 

[QuietDean]

Allo Wul,

How about Apache? there is a windows version available.

http://www.apache.org

Also, when I installed php on my machine the installer called PHPTriad included apache. Its here -

http://www.zend.com

Dean Owen

 

[Wullie]

Hi Mate,

I had looked at apache but it looked far too complicated for little me!! LOL

I am going to try out the PHP link that you mentioned, I think php is the next step I will be taking after I have mastered javascript,so might as well install it now.. )

I have been trying to work out the PWS and for some reason I can`t run any scripts, internal error every single time..

Will let you know how I get on

Thanks again mate
Wullie

http://www.survivorhelp.co.uk

 

[paulwood]

Wullie,

I came across this link, maybe it will help?

http://www.studiodeluxe.net/pws/index.htm

 

[Wullie]

Thanks paulwood,

I think that link has explained where I went wrong!!

I read on another site that the location of perl had to start with C:\ and then the full path to and including perl.exe but that site says to start with /localhost and end in the directory of perl. That has just confused me even more!!!

DEAN

I just finshed the download from the php link you gave and even though the link stated that apache was included, after reading the readme file it says that this version adds support for PWS but no apache mentioned.. unless I read it wrong?

I am going to stick with the PWS and just install php for the time being to see how I get on, failing that apache will be on my machine very soon.

Thanks again guys, I appreciate it!!
Wullie

http://www.survivorhelp.co.uk

 

[Wullie]

Hi guys,

I ended up installing apache on my machine.

The PWS is VERY limited and in the end I found apache a lot easier to use and it comes with much more detailed help files(Which I will spend most of my time in!!)

Thanks again for your help
Wullie

http://www.survivorhelp.co.uk

 

[coldfused]

wullie explain the advantages of running apache on your system and how exactly you plan to use it?

it's me stupid!

carlsatterwhite@endangeredgraphics.com

 

[Wullie]

Hi mate,

Mostly, I am planning to use apache for testing purposes but also I am having a lot of problems with the present host I am with so if I get it secure enough then I may end up running a site off it.(After I get a Cable modem, a few upgrades etc.) I have been told that there are a few security issues involved but I may install it on a new machine that will only be used as a server, it will not contain any personal files etc. The sites I am planning to put on it don`t have a high rate of traffic so there shouldn`t be a problem there. (I think)

I also want to get used to the setup and daily running of a server as I think it would be a good thing to know.

The way I see it is, if I have 4 sites hosted externally then I am paying approx £10 a month for each, I would be a lot cheaper running them from a local machine.

Any comments appreciated Wullie

http://www.survivorhelp.co.uk

 

[coldfused]

so if i install apache and i have a strong enough machine (granted the security issues involved)i could run a system from home and have it set up as a server? sweet..i think?.seems like alot of work..but yeh you are right it is something you have to know..

and when you say hign rate of traffic you mean?. how much..and how much traffic could you run with say a 1.4g pc?..for instance..

appreaciate the info..learn something new daily..life is good..well after todays events in new york maybe not..but that's another story..

carlsatterwhite@endangeredgraphics.com

 

[Wullie]

Hi Virt2001,

I am the wrong person to ask about the traffic etc. I don`t have much knowledge of running a local server, you would be better off asking the questions in the apache forum on this site.

Hope this helps Wullie

http://www.survivorhelp.co.uk

 

[QuietDean]

WARNING!!!

The windows release of Apache is not designed for setting up a full-time server!

It has HUGE security holes in it and is nowhere near as stable for multi-users as is the UNIX version.

It was designed for people to practice on, things like cgi and PHP.

UNIX is free. Why not get that running on a spare machine? You will learn more by setting up UNIX from scratch (any *NIX OS) than by running apache on windows.

Have fun. Dean Owen

 

[Wullie]

Thanks Dean, I have no intention of setting up a full-time server at present, just a thought for later on.

I will take your advice and when the time arrives I will use UNIX.

The way I am looking at it is, if I am going to pay for a someone to host multiple sites for me, I would be cheaper getting the experience of the daily running of my own server.

Also I would have no problems like I am having just now, at least if the server is down, I only have myself to blame!!

Thanks again mate Wullie

http://www.survivorhelp.co.uk

 

[mxw]

Hi everyone!

I'm trying to do the same as Wullie. Just use Apache for my own testing purposes. I would appreciate anyone with some spare time to help me get started with this.

I have PIII/WinMe. I've downloaded the Win32 apache and installed, it seems to be fine. But what do I do now?

Thanks kindly,
mxw <-totally non-technical

 

[Wullie]

Hi MXW,

What is it that you are trying to do mate?

I`ve learned quite a lot since installing Apache.

If you are only setting up for testing purposes then there isn`t a lot to configue.

If you don`t already have Perl then you can find it at

http://www.activestate.com/Products/ActivePerl/

Anything else that you need to know, just ask!!

Hope this helps Wullie

http://www.survivorhelp.co.uk

 

[mxw]

Hi Wullie,

I wanted to upgrade my browser, IE 5.5/6 Netscape6.1/Mozilla doesn't run applets OffLine only Netscape 4.7 does. paulwood explained that I could run a webserver 'software' on my own machine so I can see what my html pages look like OFFLINE. (I thought webserver was a machine, as it turns out, it is both) He directed me to this thread cause you're doing just what I want to do. Apache seems to be the one most useful for me. My interests are PHP, XML.
I've read the threads above and understand that part but, I'm sorry if I sound dumb but I have to ask, my system is 2 X drives one is C the other is D. I wondered if I could run Apache on D, the drive is near empty
I have no idea what to expect and found information on the net quite vague and too technical (as though I've done this before) for me. I've installed it (not where I want it, can I uninstall and reinstall?) and am ready to configure it I think. I don't have a clue as to what to do next.

thank you,
mxw <- Hm, not a programmer ...

 

[Wullie]

Hi mate,

I don't see a problem with installing on drive D. Just uninstall then run the setup again and put it on D instead of C, then do the same for Perl etc.

Open your httpd.conf file in a text editor and configure it to meet your needs(It is well commented)

Put your files in the HTDOCS folder and your scripts in the CGI-BIN.

To view your site offline just enter

http://localhost/

in your browser and this should call up your site.

If you are wanting to test PHP files then you will need to set this up(Dean provided a link in a previous post)

After that you should be ready to go!!

Any problems just ask..

Hope this helps
Wullie

http://www.survivorhelp.co.uk

 

[mxw]

Hi everyone

Sorry, I've been laidup with the flu, today being the first day I'm able to standup so I'm trying this out. And don't understand it *maybe its the meds.

-Uninstall reinstall to D: - no problems.
Installed for manual startup by me.
-httpd.conf - ? I need 'paint by number' type instructions
-

http://localhost/

- browser doesn't know where that is.
Cause I haven't done the httpd.conf ya think.

If I open the console, it shows Apache running but I can't shut it down. I end up cold booting my whole system to turn it off.

Please help,
mxw

 

[Wullie]

Hi mate,

httpd.conf.... Start>Programs>Apache>Configure Apache>Edit the httpd configuration file.

When you have this open, read through the file and make changes according to the appropriate comments.

Make sure that you have ServerType standalone.

Only change the items to do with the actual running of the server just now, you can play with the others later.

If you have the console running, you need to restart it to apply the changes to this file.

To close press CTRL + C together.

Run the console and try

http://localhost

or

http://127.0.0.1

This should either call your site or if you don`t have files in the htdocs then it will call the default apache file.

Let me know how you get on.

Any other problems just ask.

Hope this helps Wullie

http://www.survivorhelp.co.uk