I need to run a few tests on an apache web server with a php application that acceses mysql
We use RedHat ES3 on linux at work, but now I really would like to run my tests on my own WinXP
I used WMWare with RedHat some years ago, and it seemed to work ok.
Nowadays, what would be the best and quickest (and preferrably cheapest) way to accomplish this? I suppose I could use any (modern) RedHat version, but perhaps RedHat ES 3 would be preferred, to assure compatibility with my "real platform"
Question 1)
Is the VMWare "player" an option? I need to make sure I get the right php and mysql modules and extra libraries, so I probably need to be able to really "install things". And of course I need to add (permanently) my own php applications and database files to the system. Is all that possible with the VMWare player?
Question 2)
RedHat ES 3 seems old nowadays. Is is possible to find it cheaper than current versions, anywhere? Do I really need the ES version or would a normal "desktop" (or whatever it's called) version work? As I said, I need apache+php+mysql
Question 3)
Is there a RedHat+VMWare bundling available, to make installation easier. And the price lower?
I've read through the RedHat and VMWare sites, but I don't really get any good answers.
Thanks
/Stefan Lennerbrant
http://centos.org/modules/tinycontent/index.php?id=15
VmWare Server is free (and now it looks as if beta 2 is out). You can download it, you register on their site (free) and then you are sent a registration number so you can use it.
http://vmware.com/download/server/