dev server: installing apache
my reasons: i wanted to set up a web/php server for use as a local development platform. i got tired of uploading php pages to a test subdirectory in a production server just to see if they would work; and i didn’t want to forget what i did to get things working.
note: the combination of php 4.4.4 sapi module and apache 2.2.3 does not work. if you want to use the php sapi module with apache 2, its better to go with the php 5 modules.
the production server is running (as of this writing) php 4.3.11 and apache 1.3.33 on freebsd 4.11. i wanted to run something similar but i don’t want to mess with freebsd yet and i still do most of my work on windows. so i just got the closest, stable and secure versions — apache 1.3.37 and php 4.4.4.
apache
download version 1.3.37 over at the apache archives and start the install.
1. welcome screen
click next
2. apache license agreement
click on “i accept the terms in the license agreement” and then click on next; you should try read this license agreement
3. apache read me
click on next; you definitely should read this
4. apache server information
since this is within a private network, what you put there doesn’t really matter. you just have to follow the examples given. and use your own e-mail address; after everything’s filled up properly, click next
5. apache setup type
i didn’t want to install the source and i wanted to place the installation files in a different disk so i chose to go the custom setup route; click next
6. apache custom setup
here’s where to change where the apache program gets installed; click on change
7. apache custom folder setup
just change the folder name to wherever you want to install it; that’s where i chose to put the apache files; click ok
8. apache; my custom setup
i also chose not to install the source code; click on next
9. apache ready to install
when you’re sure all settings are correct, click on the install button; you’ll see the installer do its thing — copying files to the hard drive, running a couple of batch scripts to make apache run as a windows service, and starting the server daemon
10. apache installation finished
this just confirms that the installation has been completed; click on finish
11. test
after installation you have to test if everything went well. you have to do this. fire up the browser and type in http://localhost/ (or simply localhost) in the address bar. you should see a page similar to the one above. if you don’t see it, please check the read me files included in the installation package and apache website for more installation details. you may have to reinstall the program.
the webserver is up and running as a service but its not finished yet. not for me anyway. you may want to stop here if you want. i’d like to set up apache so that it does not automatically start when i start up my computer; i want an “off/on switch” for the apache service and i want to make sure that it answers calls only from the local network and not from the internet. i’ll put it in a separate page and post it as soon as its finished.
