As far as learning about the HTTP server goes, I haven't looked at the Apache RedBook but "Professional Apache 2.0" is a really good resource (this is probably out of print but you can likely find it used). There are some things that don't apply but this book has lots of background info and tons of examples. Also, the version 2.0 documentation at
http://httpd.apache.org is much, much better than what IBM provides. The only time I look at the IBM documentation is when I need to configure something that is i specific.
As far as the admin console goes, it is okay for simple configurations but sucks for complicated ones (like a bunch of virtual hosts). The only time I use it is to create new servers (this is obviously not something I do a lot). Some may say it is a good way to learn how to configure the server but it confused the snot out of me. I did like the one for the original server but just about anything is better than WRKHTTPCFG was.
As far as when things showed up, the Apache based server was first available on V4R5 and V5R1. This initial version lacked a bunch of stuff and wasn't really ready for production use but was good enough for educational purposes. There was never an upgrade to the V4R5 version but the next release for V5R1 was pretty good. V5R2 was the last OS version that supported the original server but the wizard to convert from the original is still there (at least as of V5R3). Speaking of that wizard, I do not recommend using it since the configurations it produces are over complicated, extremely slow, and when run against complicated configurations, fatally buggy. Spending some time in the archives will turn up plenty of examples of problems people were having.
Matt
-----Original Message-----
From: web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:web400-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of vhamberg@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 8:43 AM
To: Web Enabling the AS400 / iSeries
Subject: Re: [WEB400] What's the latest thinking of the best twoorthreewebdevelopment languages/environ...
Dave
You need some kind of HTTP server - that is provided with licensed product 5722-DG1 - in releases somewhere before v5r4 this gave you 2 servers - the so-called original, based on CERN, I believe, and Apache. Now there is only Apache. It's not like it's extra - it's what the HTTP environment is.
There is a browser tool for setting these up - it was also used for the older server setup. You simply start the *ADMIN HTTP server instance, then in your browser go to
http://your-iseries-ip:2001 and log in and go from there.
There was and is always setup needed for the HTTP server instances. The chapter in the Apache Redbook is quite clear and simple, although it assumes you already have an Apache HTTP server instance defined. But you can get a default version of that - in fact, there probably is one - to which you add the Net.Data stuff. There is usually an instance called APACHEDFT that exists when you install the licensed product - I think - heh - it's early and I'm just back from fantastic days in Texas - oh - the Nimitz museum is not to be missed!!
I suggest taking the example(s) in that Redbook and follow the bouncing ball - there are also additional materials - at least a SAVF of stuff to put on the iSeries - that contain a lot of good stuff. Appendix in the manual has info and instructions.
Now I've never read the Redbook - just gone to that admin page - the one with port 2001. That's usually been enough. The config files reside in the IFS - /www/instance-name as in /www/apachedft
HTH
Vern
midrange.com
