Setting up a Windows Web Server with PHP and MySQL

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File Function Basics in PHP

African Clawed Frogs

Submitted On: Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 6:01:23 AM

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Windows Web Server
Installation of Abyss Web Server, PHP 5, and MySQL

In this article, you'll learn how to turn your computer into a functional web server, capable of running a dynamic Internet site with a back end database.

What you should already know:
- How to do Port Forwarding on your router.
- Basic Windows File System Architecture.
- Basic Computer Use.

What you will need:
At the time that this article was written, this is the most current versions of these free software packages. Make sure to check for a newer version.
- Abyss Web Server X1 v2.6
- MySQL Community Server 5.1 for Windows
- Aprelium's Preconfigured PHP Package*

* - Although php.net may offer a newer version of PHP, the Preconfigured package that Aprelium compiles generally contains a nice collection of libraries (GD, SSL, etc). These make development easier, and will support a broad array of dowloadable packages (phpBB, WordPress, etc).

If you already have one or more of these programs installed, the screens may be slightly different -- you may not even have to install them, depending on how your server is configured.

Hardware for a Server
It is important to have a well-built server to support a site for speed. Most people think of the old, dusty computer they have sitting in their closet. While the running requirements for Abyss Web Server are minimal, it is crucial to have a good system for PHP and MySQL.

Best Hardware Configuration:
PHP
If you're using PHP heavily (a forum, member system, etc), a fast processor is a must. This helps speed up the site by reducing the processing time for the routines in your script(s).

MySQL
A good amount of RAM to have would be 4GB for a 32-bit system, or 6 to 8 GB for a 64-bit system. This allows MySQL to keep recent transactions in RAM (which is faster than your harddrive), and it will increase overall site speed exponentially.)

Abyss
A fast processor will improve site speed when you use the Compression option (not covered in this article). This feature helps reduce the bandwidth issues, and actually helps speed the site up by eliminating the biggest bottleneck -- The Internet. Do note though, that it is intensive on the processor to use this feature, even at low settings. Having a capable processor will cause pages to load quickly.

Installing Abyss Web Server

After downloading it, simply click the installer.

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Check all of the Options:

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Select a directory, you can just use the default:

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Wait until the process completes:

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Select your Abyss Startup Configuration:

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- Manual Startup is good for a development server, that you won't use to host the sites. That way you can control when it is or isn't open.

- Automatic Startup on Logon is a good option for a development server as well, however the process will always be running.

- Installing as a Windows Service is the best option for a Server, because it will allow your server to host pages even if you're logged off. When Windows does its automatic updates, and self-restarts, you'll wish this option was on. With it off, Abyss won't start or run until you log on, which could be a long period. If you use this option, however, the Abyss logo will not appear in your System Tray, and to stop/start it, you'll have to familiarize yourself with Window's Component Services Module. Another change is that you cannot connect to the Abyss Console through the System Tray, you can however; access it by visiting http://localhost:9999/ on the server, or the http://192.168.1.55:9999/ where 192.168.1.55 is the LAN IP of the server.

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Select Yes:

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Pressing OK will open your browser, where you can configure your server:

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Abyss will now ask you to choose a language, which I'd imagine will be English. Next, enter the name and password you'd like to use to access the Console in the future:

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After you hit OK, you'll have to login again.

This is your site, running on your server on port 80:

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Click the Configure button, and then go to the General Button:

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Here, you can see and configure where your web root is at (htdocs/) and what port your server will work with:

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Open up a new browser window or tab, and type in:

http://localhost/

- OR -

If you used a custom port, visit:

http://localhost:8080/, Where 8080 is the custom port number.

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If this comes up, Abyss is functioning properly. You can also type in your IP address, and this page should also come up (if you have your firewall(s), and router configured properly).

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If you navigate to your htdocs folder (should be C:Program FilesAbyss Web Serverhtdocs if you used the default settings).

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Here, you can replace

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 4:30:43 PM #21541

DeadLazyBum Site Admin '> Creeper's Title' Level 29 Posts: 1,865 Submissions: 121 Y_eN: 224,077,834	Damn you were up late doing this. Thanks. 5*

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 4:45:29 PM #21543

DeadLazyBum Site Admin '> Creeper's Title' Level 29 Posts: 1,865 Submissions: 121 Y_eN: 224,077,834	Quote: You didn't restart. Uninstall MySQL, Delete the folder, and restart, and reinstall it all again. So that was my problem the whole time? Thanks. If I could five you twice I would.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 5:15:22 PM #21546

chr1s Member Level 4 Posts: 34 Submissions: 3 Y_eN: 4,341	why do i need this? 4*

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 6:55:41 PM #21552

DeadLazyBum Site Admin '> Creeper's Title' Level 29 Posts: 1,865 Submissions: 121 Y_eN: 224,077,834	I finally got it to work as a service, but the the security settings aren't working. so I'm going to finally say "Fuck it" and stop trying. I've tried since last week to try and get this to work for me.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009 at 11:46:26 PM #21563

Creeper

Site Moderator

'> DLB's Title'

Level 37

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Submissions: 184

Y_eN: 154,240,250

^Let me look through some of my notes and see if there is a way to get around that.

I've seen that before as well, you may have to clear the entities out of the registry as well (easy, just search it for MySQL).

When you are done completely removing any trace of MySQL (you will have to terminate the services too), and you redo the install, it should NOT ask you for your "Current Password", just your new one twice.

Check into that.

Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 10:57:28 PM #21602

teh1337 $Pedo++; Level 25 Posts: 1,345 Submissions: 71 Y_eN: 10,976,680	Alright, i fixed mine. I just used a different version.. But how do we use MySql after this? Way to go in depth asshole. GO THE FUCK ON AIM

Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 11:38:45 PM #21603

Creeper Site Moderator '> DLB's Title' Level 37 Posts: 3,486 Submissions: 184 Y_eN: 154,240,250	This is a how to on setting up the server, not a how to do it all article...That would be a bit lengthy and boring. Also, AIM is closed because I suck...No, seriously, I'm crashing soon. Catch me sometime tomorrow.

Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 12:47:21 AM #21667

Ray Member Level 5 Posts: 87 Submissions: 3 Y_eN: 6,747	Excellent article it was a very good read and was exa ctly what I was looking fo r. I'm glad Google works a t least some of the time..

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