How to Create an Apache Web Server
Apache is the most common web server on the Internet, and has held that title since its introduction in the mid-1990s. It is open source software, available free of charge from the Apache Software Foundation, and is regularly updated to provide more features or to protect against security flaws and Internet attacks. Apache is available for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. Create an Apache web server by installing the software and setting the computer to run it when the computer starts up.
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Instructions
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1
Determine which version of Apache you need for the computer you wish to use. Apache is usually installed on Unix-type computers, including Macintoshes; if you wish to run it on a Windows operating system, refer to Apache's separate documentation, "Using Apache HTTP Server on Microsoft Windows."
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2
Check to see if you already have Apache installed on your computer; many versions of Unix come with Apache pre-installed. At the command line prompt, type "which apachectl". If the system replies with a path to this application, Apache is already installed; skip to step 6.
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3
Download the Apache source code from Apache.org. It will arrived as a file compressed with gzip and tar; use "gzip -d [filename]" and "tar xvf [filename]" to extract the original files.
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4
Change your working directory to the one you just created, and enter "./configure" to set Apache with default values.
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5
Enter "make" to compile Apache. When the compilation is complete, enter "make install" to install the software.
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6
Test Apache's installation by entering "[path to]/apachectl -k start". Open a web browser and go to "http://localhost". If Apache is running normally, you will see an Apache test page.
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7
Set your computer to launch Apache automatically on startup. The method of doing so will vary based upon your operating system and which version you are using; check the developer documentation for your operating system for details. Note: do not use "startup" or "login" items in your graphical user interface; these will only work for that specific login account, while a web server should be launched regardless of which user is logged in (or none at all).
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