• Apache is generally recognized as the world's most popular Web server (HTTP server). Web Servers are used to serve Web Pages requested by client computers. Clients typically request and view Web Pages using Web Browser applications such as Firefox, Opera, or Mozilla.

• Apache, Originally designed for Unix servers, the Apache Web server has been ported to Windows and other network operating systems (NOS). The name "Apache" derives from the word "patchy" that the Apache developers used to describe early versions of their software.

• The Apache HTTP Server is an effort to develop and maintain an open-source HTTP server for modern operating systems including UNIX and Windows NT. The goal of this server is to provide a secure, efficient and extensible server that provides HTTP services in sync with the current HTTP standards.

• The Apache Web server provides a full range of Web server features, including CGI, SSL, and virtual domains. Apache also supports plug-in modules for extensibility. Apache is reliable, free, and relatively easy to configure. Apache is primarily used to serve both static content and dynamic Web pages on the World Wide Web. Many web applications are designed expecting the environment and features that Apache provides.

Configure the httpd.conf file

• The httpd.conf file is the main configuration file for the Apache web server. A lot options exist, and it's important to read the documentation that comes with Apache for more information on different settings and parameters.

• It stores information on various functions of the server, which can be edited by removing or adding a number sign "#" at the beginning of the line, thus setting values for each directive.

• The best way to order the directives is to place the "must have" items first with a sub order of general to specific. Keep in mind that the configuration is processed sequentially. If you add a directive or option and it is not working, make sure that any dependencies are configured or required modules are loaded first.

• Many areas of httpd.conf are broken up into sections or containers delimited or enclosed in start < > and stop </> tags. For example the <Directory> container is used where you want to set particular attributes for the servers filespace.

Configure the .htaccess file

• An htaccess file is a simple ASCII file, such as you would create through a text editor like NotePad or SimpleText. Many people seem to have some confusion over the naming convention for the file, so let me get that out of the way. .htaccess is the file extension. It is not file.htaccess or somepage.htaccess, it is simply named .htaccess.

• This file will take effect when placed in any directory which is then in turn loaded via the Apache Web Server software. The file will take effect over the entire directory it is placed in and all files and subdirectories within the specified directory.

• In order to create the file, open up a text editor and save an empty page as .htaccess (or type in one character, as some editors will not let you save an empty page). Chances are that your editor will append its default file extension to the name (ex: for Notepad it would call the file .htaccess.txt). You need to remove the .txt (or other) file extension in order to get yourself htaccessing. You can also rename it via telnet or your ftp program, and you should be familiar enough with one of those so as not to need explaining.