Apache Setup Tutorials, tips?

Newbie, interested in setting up apache.

[bofe]

Hi.

I'm running Red Hat 7.2, and I'm very interested learning about setting up Apache.

Aside from apache.org, can anyone lead me in a good direction?
Is it site dependent?

Thanks for any help.

[fwwebs]

I think you've found a good source already. Apache is very easy to install as a package using Redhat and configuration can be done through Redhats server control panel. Once you've done that you should be able to start your server and access it at http://localhost/ . The configuration file is httpd.conf and contains enough description to make changes. Problem areas are usually routers, DNS, and Apache VirtualHost directives.

[dele]

I am not sure that response is comprehensive enough. Many of us are not computer savvy and as such responses from those that know should be as comprehensive as possible.

I have been trying to setup RedHat version 9.0 up myself without any success. The outside world could not just see my pages.

Is there anyone in the forum knowledgeable enough to assist?

[DaveAtIFG]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld dele! :)

Apache can be set up in hundreds of environments and an unlimited number of configurations, depending on how you plan to use it. So...

Many of us are not computer savvy

You will need to gain some savvy in order to set Apache up by yourself I think. Here [directory.google.com] is a place to start.

[fwwebs]

I wasn't trying to be cute, smart or short, but it's been my experience that RedHat is all but ready right out of the box. My intent was to give a few pointers and expecting them to post again with more specific questions, allowing us to deterimine how detailed of help they needed.

[fwwebs]

dele: I'd be glad to help. If you can access Apache as localhost from your server machine, chances are that you have a router or some type of port blocking issue.

Are you behind a router? If so, what type of router?
Do you have a firewall enabled?
Who is providing your DNS?
Dynamic or Static IP?

There are many more possibilities, but this is a start.

[dele]

Thank you, thank you and thank you. I am excited because finally I could see I am in the right place. I am a computer savvy too but new to Linux. Though I have tried a number and of Linuxes and thought there is still a long way to go but back now on Windows.

Nothwitstanding the server set us is till at the early stage and would like to tap into the durability and security of Linux. Now let us fire on.....

I have a router in my network and it is D-Link. I am using IPUDATER DNS to point back to my PC. I enabled the firewall inside RedHAt and thought I went through all its configuration.

I have two network cards one for local access and the other for the WWW.

With Windows, I have no problem it is only the Linux that I have problem with.

I first thought I was having a static IP address because it has not changed since I signed up with the ISP but I was told that it does not really matter if it changes or not it could still be dynamic.

[fwwebs]

I have a router in my network and it is D-Link. I am using IPUDATER DNS to point back to my PC.

If it works with Windows Apache it will work with Linux, as far as DNS is concerned. Since your using a router, your internet IP should stay the same even when you change servers. To use Linux on a long term basis you'll need to run a DDNS client on your Linux machine, more on that later.

I enabled the firewall inside RedHAt and thought I went through all its configuration.

Make sure that port 80 is open for the NIC address your using. If your unsure, disable the firewall for now.

I have two network cards one for local access and the other for the WWW

For this to work, you must use wild cards in your directives rather than binding Apache to a specific IP address. If you use 192.168.1.100, for instance, Apache will only respond to requests from that NIC. Make life simple on your self and set Listen 80 rather than Listen 192.168.1.100:80, you can tweak it later.

With Windows, I have no problem it is only the Linux that I have problem with.

I assume from this that you can access Windows Apache from the outside. That means that your router is capable of forwarding port 80 to your server. Hopefully, you don't have port 80 forward to both your Linux and Windows machine at the same time, because that won't work. If you have one external IP address, you can have only one server running on port 80. Please clarify these points, making assumptions can cost us both a lot of wasted effort.

I first thought I was having a static IP address because it has not changed since I signed up with the ISP but I was told that it does not really matter if it changes or not it could still be dynamic.

True, unless you paid for a static IP you have a dynamic. This really doesn't matter too much if it doesn't change often. It is possible that your ISP blocks port 80, but if you can access Windows Apache from the outside, that is not the case.

[dele]

That was fast FWWEBS. I am indeed very grateful. A bottle of virtual wine for you. At present I am not running the Red Hat because I was on it for more than two days without any success then I re-installed Windows Server 2003 and I am back to normal. May be there is a way you can check things out from your end - the server is on dnetcom dot com.

After you have taken me through the process I will re-install the RED HAT and follow your instructions.

What is the best way to go because Redhat came with Apache GUI configuration utility but it warns that if one make any changes by hand it will be over written the next time the GUI is used. Any work around?

What do you suggest to run as it is on Windows or use Linux?

Thanks again for the help.

[fwwebs]

the server is on dnetcom dot com.

I tried http://dnetcom.com and received 'You don't have permission to access / on this server. ' http://www.dnetcom.com works.

After you have taken me through the process I will re-install the RED HAT and follow your instructions.

Do you have a second computer you can load RedHat on?

What is the best way to go because Redhat came with Apache GUI configuration utility but it warns that if one make any changes by hand it will be over written the next time the GUI is used. Any work around?

You can make most change using GUI, if you need to personalize it, backup your httpd.conf as httpd-orig.conf. You can always replace the GUI version if you don't like it or it doesn't work.

What do you suggest to run as it is on Windows or use Linux?

I don't have any experience with Windows Server 2000 or 2003. I do know that they're very expensive and from a security stand point Linux is supposed to be better. Since you already have W2K Server, I'm curious as to why you'd want to change. I am a fan of Linux, I use SuSE, but have tried RH. I've also ran Apache 1 and 2 on W2K Pro and Apache 1 on Windows 98 and XP. Personally, Linux/Apache combination is my preference and it seems that most Hosting companies use it as well. If, when I started this venture I had $1K, I might be on the other side. Since I didn't I started with Instant Servers for $100, which is modified version of Windows Apache and haven't looked back, aside from making the change to Linux, because of stability. To me Windows forces you to do what it wants, rather than what you want.

[edited by: DaveAtIFG at 7:31 pm (utc) on Jan. 3, 2004]

[dele]

I have another PC to load it on but I bought a new Dell Server specifically for this purpose and will rather have the Linux loaded on it. I will go on and load the Linux and get back to you after the installation.

Is that okay by you?

Yes. I have this running on Windows and for security and other restrictions on Windows I will like to give Linux a try. Even though I have invested so much into this whereas there are a lot of Linux open source scripts that can be freely used.

I will go ahead with the installation and get back to you afterwards.

But during th elast installation I noticed that MYSQL and PHP is not compiled into the version. Is there a work around this?

[fwwebs]

Are you installing it from the RH distro CD's. If you are you need to make sure that those packages are set for installation. It should ask whether you want an automatic or manual install. Select manual. I've not had any experience with RH 9, but I'd assume that they still have those options.

[DaveAtIFG]

RH 9 has PHP and MySql and most other "typical" server software available. Install RH, then use the Add/Remove Packages tools. Packages can be added before or after you configure Apache.

Or do a manual install as fwwebs suggests.

[dele]

Yes I am instaling from a set of three CDs. Thanks DAVATIFG for joining us. You are all wonderful people. Just wished the world is like this where we come to the rescue of one another without any bias.

[dele]

Installation in progress. This is just an update and I was able to select the PHP and MYSQL because they are not selceted by default when Red Hat is installing.

Will update you about the progress.

[dele]

I just completed the installation and could access the site from the web but it is showing the root directory instead of all or any of the virtual domain.

I am not sure where and what to set in the config file but it appears everything is ready now.

Wahao it is Sunday today I might not get help until Monday..

Looking forwad to your assistance.

[fwwebs]

Sounds good so far. Post or PM your virtualhost directives and your network IP addresses for your Linux machine. Also need your router information, type, which ports are forwarded to which IP. If you can view your default page using your domain name from the internet your almost there.