Zone alarm and Windows XP

[phpNoob]

System:
AJP Laptop
2.66ghz p4, 1gb Ram, dvd/CD-Rw

OS - Windows XP Home

Hi,

I have just brought a php for beginners book and I am attempting to follow the instructions to get a testing server. The book suggests using Apache (latest stable release at time of book is 1.3.32) also it says use php 4.1.1 and mySQL 3.23.49. But all of these seem obsolete and also the suggested ver. of apache has serious conflicts with Zone alarm firewall which I use as my firewall

So do I 1)Install apache 2.o (does apache 2 have the same problem with zone alarm?) Ignore that part of the book and carry on or 2) Use my old tower (500mhz p2, 64 Ram, CD-rom) install linux and then apachi, php, mySQL and develop the site on my laptop using Dreamweaver MX and save to a cdrw and test it on the old tower?

I thought this teach yorself method would be easy maybe not.

I hope I've included every thing you guys need to give me good advice if not please contact me on johnckpalmer@aol.com or .NET - jckpalmer@hotmail.com.

Thank you for helping me!!!

 

[csniffer]

It strikes me that u have a dilemma here which is u are trying to put a web server on a computer that has a firewall, and obviously they are going to conflict because Apache is to let people in and the firewall is to keep people out. Also zone alarm is just a household firewall and not up to being on a machine with a server running (2 if u include MySql).

I will probably be hunted down 4 saying this but if there is nothing of vale on the computer then why not remove the firewall and then have lots of fun.


To err is human, to completely mess up takes a computer.

 

[DRJ478]

This questions has nothing to do with PHP. You'd be better off finding a different forum to post it.

 

[phpNoob]

Maybe I wasnt clear enough here sorry guys,

I want to use apache as a testing server for development of dynamic websites using PHP and mySQL.

But during the download of apache (as laid out by the book I have bought - php made easy) I flicked through there website. On this site

http://httpd.apache.org.

it says that on winXP there can be serious errors if you use in conjunction with Zone Alarm. Without apache I cannot test my php pages can I!!??

So If there is a way I can keep the firewall and use apache as well (IIS is out of the question I cant afford xp pro) I would be very HAPPY!!

Thanks

 

[jray2003]

I use the same setup but use Kerio as my fire wall and I have no problems. It is also free and works better then Zone Alarm.

Get it at

http://www.kerio.com

Jim

 

[DRJ478]

Ok,

that's a bit clearer.
As far as I know there is no interference of your firewall with your local apache server when you look at your pages using:

[URL unfurl="true"]http://localhost/[/URL]

and you made sure that 127.0.0.1 (or localhost) is entered as permissible in your Local zone in the Advanced section of the Security Settings.

If you don't want anyone from the outside to come in, that's fine and ZA will block them.

 

[skiflyer]

Install whichever Apache you like... but 1.3.31 would not be obsolete at all, in fact, in the 1.3 series I see 1.3.28 as the latest stable.

But PHP will work fine with either 1.3.28 or 2.0.47... go ahead and upgrade to PHP 4.3.3, you're only going to squash bugs and make your life easier. You may run into the "register globals" issue, but if you search for that you'll see how easy it is to fix.

As far as MySQL I'd probably stick with 3.23.57 if you want to use your book, the latest production is 4.0.14, but things have actually changed there. I'm far from educated enough on them to advise you there though.

Good luck, enjoy...
Rob