| How to set up Apache web server using AppServ |
What is web server?
A web server is service that runs on a computer and allows other computers to download documents from it. This article provides step by step guide, how to install and configure a web server by using AppServ which will use Apache as a web server with PHP and MySql support, to help people who want to run own web server but lack skill to install and configure.
What is AppServ?
AppServ is an application that integrates Apache, PHP and MySQL and install them for you just in a few minutes. It is distributed under GNU/GPL License so it’s free.
Step 1: Get the file
At the time of writing this article, there are 2 version;
- 2.4.x contains PHP 4 and most software are older versions so it’s more stable.
- 2.5.x contains PHP 5 and most are newest releases at the official sites so it’s supports more function, but may less stable than 2.4.x.
It’s up to you to decide which is suitable for you.
- Get download by go to developer site.
- Or if you don’t want to go to the site, you can download 2.5.7 at here.
Step 2: Installation
| 2.1 When you finished download, double-click the file. The welcome screen will be shown, click Next. |
 |
| 2.2 Click ‘I Agree’ to accept the license agreement. |
 |
| 2.3 Choose the directory where you want to install AppServ, I use the default one. click Next. |
 |
| 2.4 Choose the components to install, click Next. |
 |
| 2.5 This is apache configuration. The server name use ‘localhost’ so you can access at http://localhost. Specify admin’s e-mail and port for apache. (recommend to leave 80 as it’s default) |
 |
| 2.6 Now configure MySql, enter password for root account. Also, you can choose charset at here. Then click Install. The installation will start. |
 |
| 2.7 Now installation is finished, you can run Apache and MySql now by click Finish or if you want to run it later uncheck the box that you want. |
 |
| 2.8 To verify that installation is complete, simply open http://localhost (or any server name that you provide while set up). The page will look similar this. |
 |
That’s it. Now you have your own web server just in few minutes.
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Do you know maybe what is the difference between that appserv and apache server that you need to configure everything and it takes like 15mins to do that?
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:17 pm
AppServ is the package contains Apache, PHP, MySQL and phpMyAdmin. It helps you to setup your web server faster and simpler. There is no differences if you install each of these software by yourself one-by-one.
Also, there is another one that similar to AppServ. It is XAMPP. It includes the Apache web server, MySQL, PHP, Perl, a FTP server and phpMyAdmin. You can find it at sourceforge.net
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Thanks for the short tutorial. I have a question though. Which is better, AppServ or XAMPP? Thanks.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Hi Tony,
I’m not sure about XAMPP. I haven’t try it much. I think AppServ is OK for me and no need to try others.
September 17th, 2008 at 5:14 am
I’ve installed AppServ but when I go to localhost/ i only get a blank page.Any Suggestions?
September 17th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Hi, Wobby.
I’ve never seen any error after installation. But I want you to try access the web server by using your computer name, like this, http://your-computer-name.
Or try to access the web server with other browser such as Firefox, Opera, etc.
Or try check Windows event log to see if there is any error message about the installation.
Or try to reinstall the application again.
September 17th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
hmm…i’ve never had this problem again before also…i will install again