Installing Apache on Windows
These instructions are for the manual installation and configuration of Apache 2.2 on a Windows server. You can use these instructions to install on Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional and Windows 2003.
Downloading Apache
Download from http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi. Find the Win32 Binary (MSI Installer) link and save the file to a temporary folder.
Installing Apache
The apache installer will create a sample configuration file (httpd.conf) as well as installing apache as a service.
- Run the installer program and accept the licence agreement.
- At the Server Information box, enter the details as follows:
- In the Network Domain box, enter the domain that the server will run on (e.g. mymoodle.com). If you are intending to run Moodle locally without internet access, leave this blank.
- In the Server Name box, enter the Fully Qualified Domain Name of the server, e.g. www.mymoodle.com. If you are running Moodle locally, just enter the name of the server.
- In the Administrator's email address box, enter a valid email address.
- Select port 80 or port 8080 (if you are installing a test).
- At the Setup Type, choose Typical Setup.
- At the Destination Folder screen, choose the folder to install into (e.g. c:\apache2) or accept the default.
- Click Install to start the installation.
Once the installation has finished, you should see the Apache monitor icon in the system tray.
Test the configuration file
Test the configuration as follows: Start -> All Programs -> Apache HTTP Server -> Configure Apache Server -> Test configuration. Follow the on-screen help to fix any configuration file problems.
Hint: if you have Skype running, check advanced configuration to disable or change listetinig ports because by default Skype is configured to listen incoming connection on port 80. If this is the case, Apache Server won't start.
Controlling Apache
The installer creates several shortcuts under the Start menu. The most helpful of these are as follows:
- Editing the httpd.conf file. Start -> All Programs -> Apache HTTP Server -> Configure Apache -> Edit the httpd apache configuration file. Click on this link to bring up the apache config file.
- Starting the Apache Monitor. Start -> All Programs -> Apache HTTP Server -> Control Apache Server -> Monitor Apache Servers. The Apache monitor program will run in the system tray. This provides a shortcut method of starting and stopping the apache service by left-clicking and then choosing stop or restart.
- Reviewing the log files. Start -> All Programs -> Apache HTTP Server -> Review Server Log files. Choose whether you want to look at the access file or the error file.
