The Apache web server is gaining new momentum in 2005 after Netcraft reported them relatively flat in market share last year. The February web server survey shows them gaining a bit more than a percentage point year to date. While that may seem low – this is a survey in which more than 59
million servers were queried.
While many users come to Apache on a Unix-flavored operating system, the number of newcomers exploring Apache first on Windows is rising. No clear hard stats exist for this – but forum questions would suggest it.
I was introduced to Apache in 1997 when I built my first Red Hat system. It was not until 2002 that I built Apache on anything other than a Linux/Unix platform. As a February wrap-up – I have assembled several of the Apache on Windows links that have been sent along to me over time. I must admit the numerous servers I manage are exclusively either running Apache on Linux or OS X at this point – however I do count a Windows 2000 Advanced Server among my development machines running Apache 2.x.
I would welcome additional links to this list!
Apache, MySQL and others on Windows:
From the Source
The place to start: Apache Software Foundation
Tomcat on Windows from Apache
MySQL and Windows from mysql.com
PHP and Apache on Windows from php.net
Using ActiveState Perl on Windows with Apache
Third Party Binaries
Pre-compiled LAMP for Windows (and Linux, Mac OS X and Solaris):
XAMPP
WAMPserver brings Apache 1.3.x, MySQL 4.x and PHP 4/5 along with some other useful tools to Windows
Helpful Docs
SSL and Apache2 on Windows 2003 Server
A fork of the above for less than 2003 Server
Using dynamic dns to host a web site behind a broadband router over your personal ISP connection
Hosting Apache on Cygwin – emulating Unix on Windows instead of using native Apache on Windows (not sure why this would be needed – but there are always special circumstances)
Apache and Tomcat on Windows XP/2000 Pro How To
Configuration Tools
While I prefer configure Apache manually, which offers the most control, or to use open source solutions, I did want to mention this shareware ($75)
Apache configuration control for Windows users
Blane Warrene
