apache

I was recently asked if I had any documentation on how to create a self-signed SSL certificate for the Apache Web Server. As luck would have it, I indeed had exactly such an item!

With this in mind I have decided to add this information here also for all to share.

While this is targeted at creating a self-signed certificate, it can also be used to submit to a certificate authority.

In the following example I am assuming that you have chosen to install a pre-compiled Win32 Binary that already includes OpenSSL.

While Windows is the install of choice here, the syntax remains pretty much the same, only the file and directory structure differ. As such, if you are using Linux, Mac OS or something else just adjust the directory locations for your particular install.

The page provides an index to the how-to videos provided for your review.

1) Master-Master Replication with MySQL

This video conveys just how easy it is to establish Master-Master Replication with MySQL on Microsoft Windows.

2) Secure FTP Server over SSL using FileZilla

This video demonstrates the simplicity with which a Secure FTP Server over SSL can be established using the FREE FileZilla FTP Server.

The following are demo versions or proofs of concept of the ideas outlined in a number of my scripts and projects contained within this site.

All of these web applications will be made Open Source during 2010 and the source code will be made available on this site, in addition to which a forum will be established for the exchange of ideas in support of future enhancements to these projects either by myself or the Open Source community at large.

Stay tuned for this release!

1). Multi or Two Factor Authentication Demo
This solution provides a web-based two-factor or multi-factor (something you know plus something you have) proof of concept using a very low-tech solution much stronger than the traditional token-based variants. Further details are available on the demo site.

2). Dinofile - Secure File Server
This solution provides a web-based secure file transfer and storage system where files are transmitted over SSL and stored in an encrypted (256-bit AES) format on a non web accessible partition.

3). Ad Serving Solution
This solution provides for an Advertisement Serving solution similar in operation to that provided by the largest online agencies.

Following an install of Apache on Windows you are faced with the somewhat daunting process of wading through the httpd.conf file and deciding upon what is required for your particular circumstance.

As a matter of course, I typically save the default httpd.conf file to another name and use a vastly trimmed down variant in place thereof.

What I have pasted below represents such an example and trims the config file to a much more manageable 55-lines of code having stripped the unnecessary elements along with all of the comments.


PidFile logs/httpd.pid
Listen 80
ServerName localhost
ServerTokens Prod
ServerSignature Off
FileETag None
UseCanonicalName Off
HostnameLookups Off
AddDefaultCharset IS-8859-1
ServerAdmin webadmin@localhost
ServerRoot "c:/www/Apache22"

Over the years I have had many people ask about how to do Virtual Hosting.

Despite many demonstrations, much coaching and plenty of examples, it seems that where I work at least, nobody can grasp it or as I suspect maybe they simply don't want to! I find this a little amazing considering how simple it really is.