Localhost Denwer - description, installation, problem solving

Any user involved in web development, for sure knows or at least heard about the program Denwer. For those who encounter this concept for the first time, and I will consider the basic definitions, if not complete, then at least for a partial understanding of what Localhost Denwer and its accompanying components are. Also, we will go into the installation, configuration and solutions of the most common problems and errors in this software shell.

What is Denwer?

Let's start with the most important thing. If you understand, the very concept of "Localhost Denwer" (local Denwer host) can be interpreted (naturally, not verbatim) as "a tool for creating and working with a server created on your own computer using a special set of tools without using a remote resource."

This domestic development was born in 2002, thanks to the efforts of three people: Dmitry Koterov, Anton Suschev and Mikhail Livach, although the idea of creating such a universal shell, which would include a full set of tools for creating and debugging sites with their subsequent placement on Hosting.

Unsurprisingly, this package is sometimes interpreted as a reduction in "DNVR", which means "a gentleman's set of web developers". In fact, so it is, since the basic set includes a lot of various means, although you can meet the cut-down (lightened) versions.

The advantage of this package is that it allows you to create local servers, and without their initial placement on remote resources. In principle, all information can be written down even on a regular flash drive, and in which case to do editing or deployment on another computer.

Basic software package

As you can see, the package consists of several basic components that allow you to perform almost any task:

• Installer;
• Server based on Apache;
• Shell PHP 5;
• MySQL5 platform;
• The control element of phpMyAdmin databases for working with them using browsers;
• Emulating tool for SMTP server and sendmail (the simulator of sending e-mail).

However, in order to achieve the full functionality of Localhost Denwer, you will also have to add a special engine here. The most common and most popular are Joomla and WordPress. But first things first.

Installing Denwer

One of the basic questions from which to get acquainted with this program is the installation. Typically, the installation of Denwer on the local computer terminal or laptop does not cause difficulties.

After the installer starts, the browser immediately opens (it is not needed, the window can be closed) and the unpacking window by the DOS mode. The user will be asked to press "Enter" to continue. We press.

Next, the installation program prompts you to specify the location on the hard disk where all files and data will be stored (by default it is WebServices directly on the system drive "C", but you can create, for example, the Server folder, again - at the root of the system partition).

The next step is to select the letter of the virtual disk. The installer suggests creating a partition Z. If there is no such partition in the system. We agree and continue.

Now the process of copying files is activated, after which you need to select the mode for the virtual disk:

• Create when you turn on the computer;
• Creation when the program is called.

Here - on your own. In principle, if the active virtual partition is used infrequently, you can choose the second option. This completes the bulk of the installation.

Functional Testing

Naturally, after installing the local server, it is mandatory to check it for operation. On the desktop, after the installation is complete, three shortcuts will be created: Start, Stop and Restart. Run the server.

After that, a virtual disk appears (if activation was selected during an explicit call), and in the system tray - two icons with a picture of the pen and hat.

Now open the browser and in the address bar write http: // localhost or just localhost. Denwer in the same browser gives a message that it all worked. If the page comes down just below, you can see the links on which you can test the functionality of the server, as shown in the picture below.

If as a result of the transition for each individual link there are different pages, then all components work in the regular mode.

Problems with encoding

Sometimes, however, localhost Denwer does not start to send e-mail, or the message looks like an obscure character. This is due to the fact that the program initially uses the UTF-8 encoding. But you must check the dispatch.

For this purpose, the last of the above list of links is used. After going through it in the text box, you need to write something (preferably in Russian) and send the message.

Now you need to make sure that it is delivered. To do this, check the sendmail folder, which is located in the tmp directory in the virtual partition (Z), and perform similar actions for the physical disk where the shell was installed (C). About why localhost (Denwer, Windows 7 as the main OS) is not running, will be discussed separately.

Installing and Configuring the Engine

The next step is to install the engine. To do this, first check the presence of the www directory located on the system disk under Server folder (by default WebServices) \ home \ local host. In the www folder, you now need to create another directory (name your own idea, whatever you like), say Probe.

Next, setting Denwer involves restarting the program using the Restart shortcut. After that, enter http: // localhost / Probe in the browser's address bar. If this page opens, then everything is done correctly and the work does not cause criticism. Now it's a little thing. We copy the engine files to the created folder (we have Probe) using any file manager, then repeat the procedure for entering the above address in the browser. You should see the Installation Wizard window where you just need to follow its instructions.

Database creation

Since the engine in this case acts as a local host (localhost), Denwer also assumes the creation of a local-level database. You will need phpMyAdmin already, which you can access by using the address in the browser http: // localhost / tools.

In the horse click on the link with the name of the application and select the row for creating a new database. You can call it whatever you like. But, in order not to be confused, it is better to use the folder in which the installation of the engine (Probe) was made.

Now we return to the main page and use a string with privileges (after entering the menu you need to add a new user). We specify any name, username and password, use localhost for the host, in the section of global privileges tick all that is, and press the "Go!" Button. The created database can be used to install WordPress or Joomla. Access to the resource after the installation is completed, again, is carried out at the above address.

Hosting Transfer

Now we need to transfer the server to the hosting. To make it available surfers on the Internet. But first you need to pay attention to some conditions. First of all, you need to have a static IP address, not a dynamic one. Also, completely disable the Windows firewall that can block access), and also configure the so-called hierarchical folder structure, that is, in the home directory home, first create the folder XXX.XXX.XX, and in it - the subfolder www (as the address instead of Characters, you must specify the address provided to you by the provider).

You can do the same in another way. To transfer files, we use the FileZilla application, by which we move all files of the local server from the Probe folder we worked in the configuration process to the remote resource, but to the root folder of the host (usually either HTDOCS or PUBLIC_HTML). Further, it will only be necessary to change the absolute paths to files and folders on the remote host in the engine configuration file settings, and also to change the database name and user login with a password to those that will be used when creating a new database already on a remote resource.

Denwer does not open, localhost is unavailable: reasons and methods for solving the problem

Now we move on to the pressing problems that are associated with the server's inoperability.

So, Denwer does not work, localhost is not available. The reason is that many after installation immediately try to access the browser, forgetting to launch the program itself. In the address bar , only the string localhost should be typed, not something with, say, adding .ru, .com, or something else.

Another reason is the blocking of ports: 80 and: 443 by third-party programs (most often on the 80th port "hangs" Skype, and on 443-m - Torrent or VMWare virtual machine, if one exists in the system). The solution is quite simple - to change the priorities of the ports in these applications. For example, in "Skype" you need to remove the "bird" from the line using the specified ports as alternative.

No less common problem is the lack of a www folder in the main section. For example, if initially the folder hierarchy was created in the form of server \ localhost or any other kind, you should check the home directory where the specified directory should be located.

Sometimes the HOSTS file can be blocked by an antivirus (in most cases it's Dr.Web). To fix it, add it to the list of exceptions. You can first create a backup copy of it, delete it, check that the program runs, and then return the file to the original location.

It may very well be that the application should be started either in compatibility mode or with admin rights (right click menu).

If a connection fails, there may be an outdated version of MySQL on the system that you need to get rid of. Sometimes the port can be blocked: 3306 (you should find out what application it is using and change the settings).

And remember! By itself, the Denwer program on the Internet does not translate anything at all, and is just a tool and, if you will, an assistant for any given operation to create a server and process it.