| | Alternative to MS IIS (Use any platform, with iASP) - by Michael Wright | | | | | | Introduction | | | | | | Are you becoming annoyed by the constant MS IIS security breaches occurring again and again? You really want to stop using the server but cannot find a suitable alternative, or perhaps you simply wouldn't have a clue on how to go about setting it up? Many more increasingly damaging worms and viruses are being directed at Microsoft products, including the "Red Code" and "Red Code [2]" - see http://www.incidents.org/react/code_redII.php. It could be time for a change, but you must remember that if a system is not kept up-to-date (patched) regularly it does not matter, which OS or web server you use, your still screwed! | | | | | | I already had some experience in using Apache servers with PHP and MySQL but this didn't really solve my problem. My PHP skills weren't up to scratch and I felt much more comfortable programming in ASP. Plus, many of my existing custom scripts, etc are done in ASP so this makes the problem worse. So, I turned to a new alternative, a program that has now given me the best of both worlds in web development. This program is Instant ASP (iASP)! | | | | | | What is iASP? | | | | | | With iASP, you can enjoy the benefits of ASP development, but not be constrained to one platform (MS 98, NT, 2000). In fact, because iASP is implemented in Java, you can develop web-based applications that run anywhere, anytime. From Apache Web Servers to IBM WebSphere. From Netscape to O'Reilly. From Microsoft Windows NT to Linux, UNIX, Novell SCO, Lotus, Sun Solaris, and Apple - Write Once, Run Anywhere! iASP comes with more features, functionality, and capability than any implementation of ASP in the market. Blend ActiveX components with Enterprise Java Beans or CORBA-compliant objects. Through Active Data Objects (ADO), interactively interface to and leverage any database to publish dynamic data, information, and content. | | | | | | Trying to avoid the sales spiel above, this product will allow you to use my favourite server, database, and programming language (Apache, MySQL, and ASP). This is a very secure, fast data access and easy to code solution, which will run on MS 98 or Linux Redhat 7 (to name a few) and can be set-up for FREE, for development purposes ONLY. | | | | | | So what do I need to start? | | | | | | This document will show you how to set-up an Apache web server, with MySQL, PHP and iASP on the MS Win 98 OS. If you want to install on a Linux machine (even more secure) you'll have to set-up the Apache server, MySQL and PHP yourself, download the development edition of iASP from http://www.halcyonsoft.com and then follow the Linux/Apache instructions included in the download. | | | | | | You need (MS Win98 users): | | | | | | | | | Lets start setting it up | | | | | | You should now have no web server installed on your system and downloaded the above programs. It is quite easy to install Apache, MySQL and PHP on your system. | | | | | | - Run the PHPTriad file and following the set-up instructions. It does take a while to unpack all the files, so be patient.
- Now check that the server works using a browser by going to http://localhost/ and you should see information about PHPTriad.
- Check the file \apache\WARNING-WIN.txt and note it.
- Edit the file \apache\conf\httpd.conf and add DirectoryIndex default.asp under the line <ifmodule mod_dir.c>.
- Reboot!
- Get used to the server and MySQL with the provided help files and samples.
| | | Now you have to install Instant ASP (iASP) to allow you to use your ASP scripts (both VB and J Script) on your new server. | | | | | | - Run the downloaded Instant ASP file and follow the set-up instructions carefully.
- After the set-up is complete, run Start Admin and follow through the instructions provided both on-screen and at http://www.halcyonsoft.com/asp-doc.
- Restart the iASP server and check your ASP files work (copy a directory of ASP files to \apache\htdocs\ and check them at http://localhost/newdirectory/newfile).
| | | Last of all you must set-up the MySQL driver and create the code to access MySQL databases. | | | | | | - Copy the mm.mysql-2.0.4-bin.jar file to the \instantasp\lib directory.
- Edit the \instantasp\start-server.bat file and include mm.mysql-2.0.4-bin.jar into the classpath line.
- Edit the \instantasp\properties\dbserver.properties file and set 'MySqlConnector = false' unless you have Instant ASP Enterprise Edition.
- Restart iASP server.
| | | To connect to a MySQL database, your connection string should look like the below code: | | | | | | "Driver=drivername;URL={http://www.myURL.com};UID=username;PWD=password;" For example: Set objCnn=Server.CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
objCnn.Open "Driver=org.gjt.mm.mysql.Driver;URL={jdbc:MySQL://localhost:3306/MySQLDB};UID=root,pwd=test" | | | | | | What to do if I need more help? | | | | | | There are many places you can get more help (this is the Internet). | | | | | | | | | Can I just use a hosting company for iASP? | | | | | | You can indeed! I've searched the web and found a hosting company who provides accounts for developers, for FREE. The company is called MediaHost and you can apply for an account at http://dev.startcom.org. | | | | | | | Prices start from as low as $9.95 per month and include features to help you build and promote your online presence. All plans have unlimited traffic (conditions apply), unlimited email aliases, unlimited autoresponders, our easy-to-use e-commerce suite, lots of pre-configured scripts, FrontPage 97/98/2000 Extensions (if requested), your own CGI Bin, weekly site statistics, PHP, Perl, C/C++, ASP, Python, and more. |
| | | | | | Who wrote this information I'm reading? | | | | | | Michael Wright has wrote this document for information purposes only. The above document only expresses the opinion of Michael Wright and should be left to the reader to gather the facts. Michael Wright cannot and will not be held responsible for any damage or loss of data caused by anything written in this article or the programs used within it. Please follow the instructions at your own risk. Please feel free to contact me about any job offers and promotional products, events or partnerships at michael_wright@lineone.net |
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| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
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