Apache Web Server

As an ADMINISTRATOR we should be aware of the many PROTOCOLS that are used in Networking and a brief understanding on how they are used in certain applications. Some PROTOCOLS such as http and ftp use PORTS and these can be thought of as VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS to and from a HOST. These PORTS have numbers, so it is important when setting up a connection to a specific service that the correct PORT numbers are used. Demonstrating the difference between these PROTOCOLS and PORTS can be difficult, in this TASK it is done by setting up a WEB SERVER WEB SERVERS are computers on the INTERNET that HOSTS WEBSITES, serving web content on request; this is referred to as HOSTING To update the WEB PAGES on a WEB SERVER the FILES need to be UPLOADED to it. One way of doing this is using the FILE TRANSFER PROTOCOL or ftp To demonstrate the importance of PORT NUMBERS and the associated PROTOCOLS we shall be using APACHE WEB SERVER. It enables a HOST on a Network to act as a WEB SERVER so that other HOSTS are able to access the WEBSITES it holds. The TASK required two computers/virtual machines, one to act as a WEB SERVER and the other as a CLIENT or HOST on a NETWORK The APACHE WEB SERVER is OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE which means it is free for anyone to use. Because of this APACHE is the most common WEB SERVER package used on the INTERNET. XAMPP iincludes APACHE WEBSERVER along with other items that help create DYNAMIC WEBSITES such as php or HYPERTEXT PRE-PROCESSOR, a scripting language and MYSQL (pronounced My S Q L, or MY SEQUEL) SERVER, which HOSTS databases to act as the back end of a DYNAMIC WEBSITE. The skills to use these technologies fit the job description of a WEB DEVELOPER rather than a NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR and are beyond the scope of this course, however a quick practical overview of these technologies is beneficial as it helps with the installation of our WEB SERVER. Another feature of XAMPP that is of interest is the FILEZILLA FTP SERVER which will allow us to upload our WEBPAGES from another HOST. The first item on the agenda is to download and install XAMPP so the nominated HOST will need to be connected to the INTERNET. In our example we have chosen WINDOWS 7 to be the WEB SERVER Before running the WEB SERVER check that it has INTERNET access. Select the respective MACHINE then click on SETTINGS Click on NETWORK and check that ENABLE NETWORK ADAPTER has been selected, ATTACHED TO: is NAT and in ADVANCED CABLE CONNECTED has been enabled, Click on OK then start the MACHINE The XAMPP PACKAGE is NOT COMPATIBLE with all versions of INTERNET EXPLORER so for this TASK use CHROME. If not already installed open your BROWSER and type in CHROME. Navigate to GOOGLE.CO.UK/CHROME and follow the on-screen prompts When completed start CHROME then type in the BROWSER http://www.apachefriends.org Select XAMPP FOR WINDOWS, once again follow the on-screen prompts Click on DOWNLOADS then on the FILE xampp-win32-installer.exe, when prompted with USER ACCOUNT CONTROL click on YES, once again follow the on-screen prompts. Close the BROWSER If you encounter an error that relates to the USER ACCOUNT CONTROL, just click on OK then continue following the on-screen prompts In most cases XAMPP will automatically run, so close this APPLICATION and SHUT THE COMPUTER DOWN as we now need to configure the WEB SERVER for INTERNAL NETWORK, assign a STATIC IP ADDRESS, enable SHARING In VIRTUALBOX highlight the WEB SERVER, click on SETTINGS, NETWORK and check and change to, ENABLE NETWORK ADAPTER, ATTACHED TO: INTERNAL NETWORK, ADVANCED CABLE SELECTED. Click on OK then start the MACHINE Once started right-click on the NETWORK ADAPTER found on the TASKBAR then OPEN NETWORK SHARING CENTER Click on ADAPTER SETTINGS, then right-click on the LOCAL AREA CONNECTIONS, then PROPERTIES Double-click on IPv4 then select USE THE FOLLOWING IP ADDRESS, in our example we have chosen 192.168.1.2/24 Click on the BACK BUTTON and you should have returned to the NETWORK AND SHARING CENTER Click on CHANGE ADVANCED SHARING SETTINGS then • TURN ON NETWORK DISCOVERY • TURN ON FILE AND PRINTER SHARING • TURN ON SHARING SO ANYONE WITH NETWORK ACCESS CAN READ AND WRITE FILES IN THE PUBLIC FOLDER SAVE CHANGES then close all WINDOWS To Test APACHE click on START, ALL PROGRAMS, XAMPP then XAMPP CONTROL PANEL Currently all MODULES should be STOPPED and ACTIONS should display START