[HLUG] Test web server

[Andrew Hodgson]

paul.maddox.mail-list at synth.net wrote:

>> I do not like using the command line so need some sort of desktop/GUI on
>> it.  I use phpMyAdmin for managing databases.  I don't mind editing
>> config files for Apache but would prefer a graphical management front->>end.

>to be honest, I've never heard of a GUI for apache configuration. That
>doesn't mean there isn't one..

There is Webmin http://www.webmin.com - there are lots of howtos for installing in Ubuntu - will require CLI access initially.

>> The live server is running...
>>
>> Apache version	1.3.37 (Unix)
>> PHP version	5.2.1
>> MySQL version	5.0.45-community
>>
>> So it would be sensible to use similar versions of PHP and MySQL on the
>> test server.

>it would be best to try and keep as close as possible, certainly for PHP
>and MySQL you'll need the major revisions (5 in both cases).

Gutsy has slightly newer PHP and MySQL packages than this, but Hardy will have PHP 5.2.5 and the newest MySQL release.  Apache 1.3 will be possible to install using the apt-get install apache - ensuring that Apache2 is not installed.

If you install ubuntu Server with the LAMP option, it gives you Apache2, and latest PHP/MySQL packages.  

>> I can use http://site1.myserver/ and http://site2.myserver/, or
>> http://site1/ and http://site2/, or two IP addresses
>> http://192.168.0.100/ and http://192.168.0.101/.  So I need to be able
>> to configure the server and Apache to do one of these.  I will probably
>> be adding other sites later.

>do-able, though I've never done it with apache, I usually only have one
>test server :-)

You can use virtual hosts to do this.  Webmin should be able to take care of the conf file for you.  Using separate IP addresses means you don't have to muck about with DNS/hosts files on the workstations to ensure that the right A records are pointing at the Apache box, but you do have to add other IP addresses to the network interface, so it is which ever is easier for your situation.

>> I will be doing the development on a Windows PC.  I want to be able to
>> edit the website files directly on the server over the network, so it
>> needs to be network shared directories.  I don't want to have to FTP
>> every change across.  So presumably I need Samba?

>What version of linux are you using?
>Most of the modern distrubutions come with samba enabled.

Ubuntu being no exception - especially if you tick file server during the server install.

>> What Linux distro should I use?  I am thinking of one of the Ubuntu
>> family but welcome other ideas.

>seem to be the most popular, though I've yet to use it.

The server edition of Ubuntu is quite nice and gives you the latest packages, though there is no desktop.  I haven't used the desktop Ubuntu with any of this stuff.

>> Obviously I need to install Apache, PHP, MySQL and phpMyAdmin.  What
>> should I install to get a graphical management thing for Apache
>> (preferably web-based)?

>my friend says use 'webmin' but warns, it's VERY insecure!

This is an internal network, right?

Andrew. 

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