Question

Install virtual Linux + Apache + MySQL webserver on Windows

Asked by: tomaugerdotcom

I am a windows-based web developer who wants to be able to continue to work in the WinXP environment with all my suite of apps (Adobe). However, I would like to be running a virtual Linux distro with Apache + MySQL + PHP + Perl and for all intents and purposes host web sites on this virtual Linux box within the same PC.

I'm not looking to dual-boot. I'm looking to be able to connect (while in WindowsXP) to the virtual webserver running on Linux via localhost:.

I'm looking for your recommendations on virtualization software with a WinXP binary, and steps for how to install GNU/Linux and Apache (I can figure out the rest).

Thanks in advance!

Tom

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Asked On
2009-09-16 at 10:37:17ID24737154
Tags

Linux

,

Windows

,

Web server

,

Apache

,

Virtualization

Topics

Linux Virtualization

,

Linux Setup

,

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
16

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Answers

 

by: nabeelmoiduPosted on 2009-09-16 at 10:44:19ID: 25348093

 

by: tomaugerdotcomPosted on 2009-09-16 at 10:46:54ID: 25348124

Sorry I should have specified "free" / open source

 

by: nabeelmoiduPosted on 2009-09-16 at 10:49:46ID: 25348152

 

by: tomaugerdotcomPosted on 2009-09-16 at 10:52:18ID: 25348189

Yeah, but VMWare isn't free... is it?

 

by: tomaugerdotcomPosted on 2009-09-16 at 10:52:57ID: 25348204

Moreover, none of these are running GNU Linux, they're mostly rPath

 

by: garycasePosted on 2009-09-16 at 12:17:59ID: 25349050

Sun's free Virtual Box works well with Linux, although I've only installed Fedora, Ubuntu, and Suse distributions. http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

If you find a VMWare appliance that you want to try, the VMWare Player and VMWare Server are both free. VMWare Workstation and the more sophisticated server hypervisors are not free.

I'd simply download Virtual Box and/or VMWare Server and install the Linux distro you want in both -- then use whichever one runs it best.


 

by: tomaugerdotcomPosted on 2009-09-16 at 12:22:29ID: 25349099

Thanks Gary. I was in the process of downloading VMWare Server when your note came in. I'm also downloading a Fedora distro to try out since the server I'm trying to emulate is running Red Hat (3.x).

I've opened http port 8222. Does that mean that on my local machine, to access the server/webserver I would just type 8222://my/web/page.html ? How does that work exactly?

 

by: garycasePosted on 2009-09-16 at 12:26:35ID: 25349149

Here's a Debian/GNU Linux appliance (i.e. pre-installed, ready-to-run virtual machine):
http://www.vmware.com/appliances/directory/72718

You can run it in the free VMWare Player:  http://www.vmware.com/products/player/

 

by: tomaugerdotcomPosted on 2009-09-16 at 12:31:50ID: 25349190

How configurable are these "appliances" - I'm not sure I fully get them. Once you've installed an appliance - say this Debian one you're recommending - can I then get in there, and from there, get, install and run additional software, such as Apache, MySQL and Perl? Can I still set up virtual drives and store things like websites etc on there? Will the MySQL database be persistent?

Sorry, I'm new to all this.

 

by: garycasePosted on 2009-09-16 at 12:36:10ID: 25349229

When you set up the virtual machine, use bridged networking (there are several options).    The virtual machine will then get its own IP from your router, and will work exactly as if it was another physical machine.     The fact that it's really running in the same PC as your host makes NO difference in the way it will work.

 

by: nabeelmoiduPosted on 2009-09-16 at 12:38:51ID: 25349256

appliances are fully readymade systems. You don't need to install anything in these lamp appliances..thats why we've been pointing you to it coz you wanted that setup.

they can easily be configured by a web-based administration panel in most of them.


 

by: garycasePosted on 2009-09-16 at 12:41:42ID: 25349291

My Fedora v11 virtual machine is a downloaded virtual appliance from Bagside -- it works very nicely.    Bagside has a nice collection of virtual machines here:  http://bagside.com/bagvapp/

 

by: tomaugerdotcomPosted on 2009-09-16 at 12:44:41ID: 25349319

@nabeel - I get that they're ready-made. That's what worries me. We're talking *nix here - there's almost a 99% chance that I will need to add some danged thing or another - a library, a perl module, an update, god knows what. The Debian install that Gary pointed me to is a perfect example - it would probably need mySQL installed and any number of other things. I'm not even sure it comes with Apache, though at 1.3Gb it better come with something other than 4 different desktop environments...

So that's why I'm concerned about configurability of a Virtual Appliance.

Thanks for sticking with this question guys.

 

by: garycasePosted on 2009-09-16 at 12:46:50ID: 25349339

Several cross-posts above, so I missed your question about the configurability of virtual appliances.    There are two different aspects to your question:

(1)  Can you change the virtual machine (i.e. add memory, add disks, etc.)?

This depends on what hypervisor you're running.    If you use VMWare Server as your hypervisor, then yes, you can change any of the parameters (memory, disks, etc.) just as with any other virtual machine.    If you use VMWare Player, then no, you can't change the characteristics of the virtual machine.

(2)  Can you install/delete programs;  reconfigure the OS;  etc.

Yes, you can do anything you would normally do with the operating system you're running.    The virtual machine behaves just like a "real" computer.

 

by: garycasePosted on 2009-09-16 at 12:57:58ID: 25349451

Yes, you can do updates, add programs, etc.    Here's a small segment of the Add/Remove software result in Fedora 11 for "Apache":   (this is using the Bagside "appliance" I mentioned above)

 

by: tomaugerdotcomPosted on 2009-09-16 at 13:01:30ID: 25349493

Okay, guys, thanks for all your great help and info here. I may post follow up questions down the road as I slog my way through this.

Cheers.

T

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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