So to obtain Apache you have two choices, either just get it off the Linux

distribution or download the latest and greatest from www.apache.org

Now that I have it, how do I install it?

Apache distributions come in various forms. Each of these are described below:

1. Source distribution: This consists of the source code and no pre-built

binaries. Once you download a source distribution, you must compile it and run

the scripts bundled with the distribution to install it. This gives the user

maximum flexibility to custom configure and install Apache. The user even has

the liberty of extending or modifying the source code and installing other

functional modules as well. The install procedure is built directly into the

Makefile to build the source and simply issuing the command 'make install'

will install Apache with it's defaults on your system.

2. Binary distribution: This consists of pre-built binaries for the various

supported operating environments and platforms. These distributions come with

installation scripts that allow you to install Apache on your system.

3. Packaged distributions: These distributions come in packaged formats like

RPM (for RedHat and derivative systems). These distributions are installed via

the standard installation management program called rpm. This allows the

software installation of Apache to be tracked by the Operating System.

At the end of this article there is a more detailed explanation of how to

actually compile and install an Apache source distribution.

Ok, now it's all installed, but how do I configure it?

An Apache use a single configuration file called httpd.conf to manage its

operating characteristics. In this file, you can configure Apache server

characteristics like Server name, port on which to run the server, the

threading and process spawn limits, the modules that it loads, the handlers

for various types of files, virtual directories and hosts, mime-types, access

control etc. etc. phew! For default installations you need not touch this

file. Only when you need non-standard options for configuring Apache you will

have to open this file. This file is well commented and pretty much

self-explanatory, so editing it is a breeze.

Well it works, but what are its features?

Apache is a full-featured web server that offers a full suite of functionality