How to create a local server? Expand the local server on Windows

Apparently, very many users of computer systems of any type know that you can create a local server on your computer in minutes. True, not everyone has a clear understanding of the basics of the methodology for carrying out all steps. So, let's try to give at least partial information on how to create a local server and adapt it to your own needs.

The concept of a local server

In general, initially it is necessary to clearly delineate the created local servers by type. In addition to the most frequently used web-servers, you can create and configure both gaming, and proxy, and even DNS-servers. All depends only on what function will be assigned to this or that component.

However, in most cases all these components have one thing in common: they are created initially on local machines in the first stages without hosting on a remote hosting, which allows them to be configured and edited directly on their own computer terminals.

Now we will try to consider the questions concerning how to create and configure a local server on the computer, depending on its type and purpose

Software selection

In principle, the choice of software is a personal matter for each user. It should be noted that if, for example, when creating a local web server only hypertext markup languages like HTML or CSS are used, it is useless to install additional software packages, because any Internet browser understands them perfectly.

Another thing, when as additional components are scripts written, say, in PHP. It's worth using them, and the browser can not cope anymore. That's where the specialized software comes in handy. As for proxies, DNS and game servers, here too the situation is ambiguous. Somewhat later, the simplest applications for creating and configuring them will be discussed, but for now let us dwell on the basic question of standard local web servers.

How to create a local server: installing and configuring the Denwer package

If you decide to start creating a local server for later hosting on a remote hosting, of course, you need some tool. Most often when searching for the corresponding software on the Internet, users are redirected to download the software package Denwer, which is a domestic product and is also quite simple to understand and work with.

It contains all the necessary tools like Apache, PHP, MySQL, phpMyAdmin, sendmail, etc. The only drawback is that it will additionally have to install special engines like Joomla or WordPress in the simplest version.

So, the creation of a local server begins with the launch of the installation EXE-file (naturally, on behalf of the Administrator). A window similar to the DOS mode appears. Follow the instructions of the installer. First, we select the storage location for the server data, then assign the mode of operation of the virtual disk to the letter (in principle, the proposed parameters can not be changed). This completes the installation. Now the local server needs to be checked for proper functioning.

Performance testing

At this stage, start the created server, and in the window of any Internet browser, type http: // localhost. If the program is installed without errors, the browser will display a message stating that everything is working.

If you scroll down the page, you can see the main links where you can perform a full test of the local server.

Coding issues

Sometimes you can see an unpleasant situation, when the e-mail message sent looks like a set of incomprehensible symbols. This happens only because the program is initially designed for UTF-8 encoding. It can be completely changed, for example, on KOI-8R or something else.

Installing a local server: additional engines

Now one more important point. The local server of Windows-systems can not do without special add-ons, called engines (WordPress, Joomla, etc.).

First of all, in the www directory located on the path \ home \ local host, create an arbitrary directory in the main directory. After that, enter the path http: // localhost / in the address bar of the browser and check what exactly opens. If this directory was opened , everything is fine. We copy the engine files to this directory using any file manager (at least the same "Explorer") and enter the address again. The "Setup Wizard" window appears, where you just need to follow the instructions.

Addition of databases

Now the local server must attach special databases. To do this, use the phpMyAdmin service, which is accessed by typing http: // localhost / tools in the address bar of the browser. First, the section for creating a new database is selected, it is given a name (it can be arbitrary, but it is better to specify the same one that was applied to the folder in the previous section).

Then we return to the main page and configure the privilege settings (create a new user, specify username and password, use localhost as the host and mark everything that is in the window with "birds"). It remains to press the button "Go!" And wait for the end of the process.

Transfer of the local server to the hosting

The next step is to connect the server to the local network and transfer to the hosting to make it available to users on the Internet. The "native" way of transferring data to a remote resource does not look very convenient due to a number of additional actions.

Configuring the local server in terms of data transfer to remote hosting is best done by the FileZilla application, with which you need to copy the files in the above directory to the root directory of the host. This is either the PUBLIC_HTML folder or the HTDOCS partition. Now the problem is small: we change the so-called absolute paths to folders and files and directories in the engine's settings, specify the name of the database that we intend to create already on the remote host, and specify for the host a new login with a password. All. This concludes the work. Connection to the local server of user machines can be made through any Internet browser.

Local Proxy Servers

Now let's see how to create and configure a local proxy server. What is it for? Firstly, with its help you can track absolutely everything that is downloaded to the computer terminal or laptop in the process of Internet surfing. And secondly, so you can save traffic if it is paid.

A local proxy server works by caching requests to DNS servers and stores, say, pictures or any other objects, and when you visit a resource again, so to speak, loads them from your memory, speeding up access to the resource.

To create a server of this type, you need the simplest HandyCache application, which should be placed in a convenient place for quick access, because every time you connect to the Internet you will have to address it specifically.

Before you begin, you need to set the proxy settings. For example, if you use the Opera browser, you must specify 127.0.0.1 in the server settings for HTTP, and 8080 for the port. Now start the application, go to the settings and look at the "Dialer" tab. As a rule, the program itself determines what type of connection is used at the moment. Then we press the button with the same name and use the created server.

Yes, please note: in the cache settings, you can specify a size of about 300 MB. In theory, this should be enough for all occasions. You can view the contents in the Cache folder of the main directory where the program was installed. And one more thing: remember, this is a normal proxy server, not an anonymous one, so you should not wait for it to change or hide the IP address.

Local DNS Servers

A local DNS server can be used in cases where the connection is unstable, the local network is too large branching based on TCP / IP, or you are engaged in web development and testing. In principle, for such purposes, the BIND program is perfect. Although it is mainly designed for UNIX-like systems, it works fine with Windows (we assume that the server is not installed on the server version of Windows, which can be configured in the Control Panel).

Run the installation file and follow the instructions. For convenience, it is recommended to install the program directly on drive C, to the BIND directory being created. Next, enter your login and password, and then activate the installation process and wait for its completion.

Now in the C: \ BINDetc folder, you need to create a file named ".conf" that specifies the settings that the local DNS server will use (the name is arbitrary and is set without the quotes). In order not to waste time, the desired file can be easily found on the Internet and download it by placing it in the specified location.

Now reboot the system, then call the command line (cmd via the "Run" menu or Win + R combination), where we write the nslookup request. If confirmation occurs, then the server is installed correctly and works without errors.

Local gaming servers

Finally, consider another type of server. This is a local server for games that use the online mode within the local network. Let us explain what it is like in the Minecraft game. To do this, you need to download the server from the official website of the game and use the Hamachi application. A prerequisite for correct operation is the presence of the installed JAVA package with the latest updates in the system.

To configure, use the file server.properties, where we enter the data provided by the Hamachi application. We write down the IP-address of the server, the number of players, the use of possible game modes, etc. In the online-mode field, you must specify the value true. After that, save the changes and close the file.

Now we define the internal IP of the server, which will be used by players when connecting to the terminal on which it was created. Computers, of course, must be integrated with the server itself either through a local network or through a VPN. The IP address of the server terminal must be static and must be bound to the MAC address.

The entry is made using the Minl2 application, where the login and password are specified during registration. After the done actions we leave the server and log in again, but already in offline mode using the created login and password. In the settings section, select Multiplayer and enter the desired IP server. All. You can enjoy the game with a real opponent.

Conclusion

Of course, this is not all the nuances that can arise when creating local servers of different types, and, of course, not all the programs that help in this process. Let's put it this way: these are the general and basic principles inherent in such technologies. And if you understand, there is nothing particularly complicated here. A little time and patience - and a local server of any type will be created within 10-15 minutes.