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MySQL and Webserver programs

B

bluestrobe

Platinum Member
I currently have a web server running Apache 2.0.15 with PHP 4.4.3 on a Windows 2k Server platform. I want to try to install a database program so I can start running a php based message board (undecided on which one) and a blogger type software to make weekly updates more easier on my website. I was steered towards MySQL 5.0 and have been reading a bit on it. I took a MS Access class in college and administered phpbb boards before so I know a little on both ends but not enough to know exactly what I am doing.

Do you just install MySQL like any other program or is there special way to install it if you are using php and apache with it?

Also regarding web server software, how amateur or noob is it to install a package like indigostar or XAMPP instead of installing everything by hand. How many actual professional web servers out there use packages like this? I am interested in the XAMPP package but feel like I'm cheating if I use it.
 
For some reason, mysql seems to be the most popular free database, but I'd highly recommend postgres as I think it's a much nicer product. Of course, there's lots of message boards out there that only bother to support mysql.

You install a database like a regular program and it runs as a service just like apache. You can use any number of administration tools to connect to it and set up authentication and databases and the like.

And Apache 2.0.15? :shocked: The 2.0 branch is up to 2.0.59 right now which means you're missing out on a lot of security/stability patches. I hear the 2.2 branch is also much better from a security/stability standpoint. (And of course the 1.3 branch is still going strong, that's what I use 🙂)
 
XAMPP and similar packages are made for developers so they dont have to muck around with setting everything up and getting it to work (which can be a long process and an annoying one) security is pretty much non existant, its all set up so you get maximum compatibility and flexibility.

if you are going to have your server acsessable from the internet, then you really should set apache, php and mysql up from scratch, remove any apache modules that your not using, fine tune the config file a bit etc etc, similar deal for php and mysql.......only install things you need.........that way you can get the most secure (hopefully) and the setup thats most suited to u and what ur doing with it.

and mysql is very good IMO, very easy and so many programs are made to run with it, along with the fact that theyre are some great 3rd party admin tools (PHPmyAdmin for instance)

the last time i set up a webserver i used apache 2.something (it was last year, so i cant remember what version it was exactly), i pretty much started from scratch with the cnofig file, cleaned everything i didnt need out, removed comments i didnt need, personalised comments i did need and added whatever i did need, also removed modules i wasnt using etc.......this drasticly increased startup time (from like 7seconds to about 2) then installed php, installed the module into apache, conifgured php, removed stuff i didnt need, removed comments i didnt need, similar sort of deal.
made sure all that was working with virtual hosts and things like that.
then went and installed MySQL, configured it, similar to how i configured php and apache, did alot of cleaning and optimizing.
installed PHPMyAdmin, everything worked pretty much perfectly. did some fine tuning over the next week or two.
once that was all over it was very simple to keep running well, i had installed everything into C:\server or something liek that which had apache, php and MSQL sub folders, everything was very neat, easy to administer from that computer and from others as well.....very secure as well

read around the web, leanr the best practices and stuff.........you will be fine, then once u no what ur doing, just go ahead and do it the way that suits you, the best way to learn is by doing, u may need to do it twice to get it righ, even 3 times........but as long as it works for u the way u want it to
 
Originally posted by: kamper
For some reason, mysql seems to be the most popular free database, but I'd highly recommend postgres as I think it's a much nicer product. Of course, there's lots of message boards out there that only bother to support mysql.

You install a database like a regular program and it runs as a service just like apache. You can use any number of administration tools to connect to it and set up authentication and databases and the like.

And Apache 2.0.15? :shocked: The 2.0 branch is up to 2.0.59 right now which means you're missing out on a lot of security/stability patches. I hear the 2.2 branch is also much better from a security/stability standpoint. (And of course the 1.3 branch is still going strong, that's what I use 🙂)
Click to expand...


I was waiting on a new a server (next couple of months) before I did the big jump to apache2.2. I heard it's more of a pain to install PHP with so I'm just waiting for that. :Q

I might update the apache to the 2.0.59 though. I was worried it would overwrite my php stuff so I was a little scared. I'm still learning about Apache and PHP and still learning what some of the modules do. How does on patch APache to a current version? I looked on their website and there's nothing on it except a download page for the newest releases. Do you just install/overwrite your current install?

As I said in past threads, I eventually want to have Apache2.2 with PHP and Perl (for a logging program) but the learning and help resources for Perl are nill unless you are an experienced webserver admin. I'll probably install MySQL here in the next few days and PHPmyadmin.

I only have port 80 open to the web server along with zone alarm firewall. Is there any large security threat if I install MySQL so i can see how it goes?
 
I always thought perl had tons of stuff, but I'm not so much writing for web stuff (I do some ad hock CGI) as writing other scripts. ALmost every module has decent examples (some suck, but you can usually find other example scripts w/google)
 
Be sure to look at the free version of Microsoft's SQL Server (SQL Server 2005 Express Edition) - if I were doing my own thing and wanted a free db I'd use that but mostly because I have tons more experience with SQL Server than any other db.

Good luck! 🙂
 
Originally posted by: kamper
No offense, but did you even try google?
Click to expand...


I try there before comming here most times. There's a good a wiki that is linked from myphpadmin.net's site however you need to be able to run php files right on the web server itself and I never had to do this so I never set it up. However I am still following the instructions and we'll see where I come out on it.

edit: I go to the point where I have the phpmyadmin folder in my htdoc folder. I can't access it from localhost though or the network. I don't need to access the phpMyAdmin interface from the web, just the network. Where the the proper place to put this folder and how would one configure Apache to allow me to acces the folder?
 
Be sure to look at the free version of Microsoft's SQL Server (SQL Server 2005 Express Edition) - if I were doing my own thing and wanted a free db I'd use that but mostly because I have tons more experience with SQL Server than any other db.
Click to expand...

Have you ever looked at the license agreement to see what the usage restrictions are on it? I haven't, but I can't imagine that MS would give it away for free without some major restrictions to encourage/require you to buy the real SQL Server for commercial work.
 
Originally posted by: Nothinman
Be sure to look at the free version of Microsoft's SQL Server (SQL Server 2005 Express Edition) - if I were doing my own thing and wanted a free db I'd use that but mostly because I have tons more experience with SQL Server than any other db.
Click to expand...
Have you ever looked at the license agreement to see what the usage restrictions are on it? I haven't, but I can't imagine that MS would give it away for free without some major restrictions to encourage/require you to buy the real SQL Server for commercial work.
Click to expand...
They're actually pretty good with giving stuff like that away. The place I worked this summer is deploying their product (patient management for family physicians) on the free version. I believe there's a 4gb data cap and probably a memory usage cap, but if you know you'll be well within those boundaries then there's nothing wrong with it. It seems to be fairly feature complete still.
 
also try xampp
it uses apache 2.0.23 i think it is. whereas wamp uses apache 1.3.3 or a version along those lines.
i se xampp.........but whatever floats your boat
 
Originally posted by: johnos
also try xampp
it uses apache 2.0.23 i think it is. whereas wamp uses apache 1.3.3 or a version along those lines.
i se xampp.........but whatever floats your boat
Click to expand...

I read up on Xampp this week and it's a security risk not designed for full line use. The WAMP package has a fully updated version http://www.wampserver.com/en/download.php available.

However I got phpmyadmin loaded but it's not liking the MySQL server.
 
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