Install and configure Apache for Windows

This is an example of how to install and configure Apache for Windows (including Windows Server and Windows Embedded), so that you can subsequently install the Mobile Access web server add-on for CGI.

You must have Administrator privileges on a Windows computer in order to install software and run network applications.

Apache (also known as httpd) is a free and widely used web server package that supports the Common Gateway Interface (CGI). It is available for many different platforms, including Windows and Linux. Once you have it installed and configured, you can also install the Mobile Access web server add-on for CGI.

If Apache is already installed and you are familiar with it, you may skip to the end of this task.

Note: This is for testing and demonstration purposes only. Before you set up a "live" web server, you should consider all of the administrative and security issues that are involved in doing so. Please consult your network administrator.

To install and configure Apache for Windows:

1. On the computer or device that will host your project runtime server, in the web browser, go to: www.apachehaus.com/cgi-bin/download.plx

2. Download the latest version of Apache for Windows.

   At the time of this writing, the latest version is 2.4.16, and that is reflected in the remaining steps of this procedure. Also, make sure that you get correct build for your version of Windows: x86 for Windows 32-bit, x64 for Windows 64-bit.

   The compressed folder (for example, httpd-2.4.16-x64-r2.zip) is saved in the Downloads folder.

3. Right-click the compressed folder, and then click Extract All on the shortcut menu.

   The Extract dialog box is displayed, asking you to confirm where the files will be extracted.

4. Click Extract.

   The files are extracted to the specified location.

5. Open the uncompressed folder, and then in that folder, find the Apache24 folder.

6. Copy or move the Apache24 folder to the top level of the C drive (that is, the computer's root directory).

7. Click the Start button, and then on the Start menu, point to Accessories > Command Prompt.

8. Right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator on the shortcut menu.

   A User Account Control dialog box is displayed, asking you to allow Command Prompt to make changes to the computer.

9. Click Yes.

   The Command Prompt window is displayed.

10. At the prompt, type cd C:\Apache24\bin, and then press Return.

    The prompt is changed to the specified directory.

11. At the prompt, type httpd -k install, and then press Return.

    Apache is installed as a Windows service, so that it can run in the background (similar to a Unix/Linux daemon).

12. At the prompt, type httpd -k start, and then press Return.

    The Apache service is started.

13. In the web browser, in the address bar, type localhost, and then press Return.

    Apache is preconfigured for localhost access, which means you should be able to go to the localhost address (http://localhost/) to access the default website.

    If Apache is running correctly, the website's default page — typically, the readme file — is displayed.

    Tip: You should review the readme file at this time.

14. The following table shows the most commonly used Apache commands:

    Command	Description
    httpd -k install	Install Apache as a Windows service.
    httpd -k config	Configure the startup options of the Apache service.
    httpd -k uninstall	Uninstall the Apache service.
    httpd -k start	Start the Apache service.
    httpd -k restart	Restart the Apache service while it is running.
    httpd -k stop	Stop the Apache service.
    httpd -t	Test the Apache configuration syntax.
    httpd -v	Show the Apache version number.
    httpd -h	List all of the available Apache commands.

You can also use Apache Monitor, a desktop tray application, to start and stop Apache services. The Apache Monitor program file is located at C:\Apache24\bin\ApacheMonitor.exe. Either double-click the program file to run it, or copy it to your Startup folder so that it starts automatically when the computer is turned on.

The default TCP/IP port for most web servers is port 80. If you already have another web server running — or "listening" — on port 80, it will conflict with Apache. Either stop or disable the other web server, or reconfigure Apache to listen on an alternative port. To do the latter, stop Apache, open the configuration file (C:\Apache24\conf\httpd.conf), and edit the following settings:

Listen <alternative port>

ServerName localhost:<alternative port>

For the complete Apache documentation, go to: httpd.apache.org/docs/2.4/

Once you have Apache installed and configured, you can proceed with installing the Mobile Access web server add-on for CGI. For more information, see Install the Mobile Access web server add-on for CGI.