Windows 1 computer many servers
This is going to be really dumb, but it works. I got tired of slow refresh rates while building courses on our production webserver. After a bit I wanted more Moodles for testing.
GOAL: I want to have two or more, independent versions of Moodle on my desktop XP Professional OS computer. Since I am challenged mentally, it has got to be simple and hard drive space is not an issue. I will be happy to run one version of Moodle at a time, each with its own database.
The Keep it Simple, is an easy way to install Moodle on a standalone desktop otherwise known as a "localhost".
Keep It Simple Chris (KISS)
- Download the full package of Moodle in its zip file
- Unzip it in a drive root (for example C:\)
- Open up Windows Explorer
- Rename the top folder called moodle to something say Moodle_1_6.
- Now you should see a folder called for example C:\Moodle_1_6
- run the file setup_xampp
- for example this will be found c:\Moodle_1_6\setup_ampp using Explorer
- next run xampp_start or xampp_restart
- Sometimes you may get a warning and are asked if you want to block the apache site (don't block it).
- Open up your favorite web browser,
- in the address bar type
- localhost
- Moodle should start its install process
You can repeat this process. For example download the complete package of Moodle 1.7 . Do all the steps above but rename the folder C:\Moodle_1_7.
Want to upgrade the Moodle in ther folder with 1.7? Easy, just download the non-complete package version, unzip it so you extract to the folder Moodle_1_7. You will want to make sure you copy all files, so you replace all the existing files in Moodle_1_7\moodle downward.
Tips and tricks
- Tip: you can only run one version of moodle at a time. Start each version using the xampp_start or xampp_restart from the right drive.
- Why xampp_restart? Saves using xampp_stop, which must be done if you are switching moodles
- Tip:I make a short cut to my 3 different xampp_restart program, rename the short cut to say something like Moodle162clean, Moodle162AL, Moodle17clean and MoodleProduction. I put those shortcuts on my start menu.
- Tip: One of "My Favorites" web places is called "localhost".
- Mozilla Firefox (newer versions of IE may do this) allows me to create bookmarks. I have one called LocalHost and another points to our real production Moodle site on the web.
- Mozilla Firefox (newer versions of IE may do this) allow me to create seperate tabs. I will have one tab open to my production Moodle, another one to a localhost and probably a 3rd to MoodleDocs.
- Tip: I test add ons and hacks every now and then. I create a clean install in say MoodleTest and restore a simple course with 20 fictional participants backuped up and saved on my desktop. Then I zip or rar archive the MoodleTest site with the one course.
- When I want to use it, I rename the folder MoodleTest to say MoodleTest_AL24. Then I unpack my MoodleTest.
- Tip: I like my Moodles to be the higher level directories, and all start with Moodle something.
- Tip: I like to use different themes for each of my Moodles, or at least make sure the site name lets me know which version I am using.
Like I said, dumb and there are probably easier ways than the shorter approach. But it give absolute seperation and I can do it.--Chris collman 13:44, 24 October 2006 (CDT)
