Do I need a local server?

By: Team (Support)   Posted on: March 1, 2008

In web development, a testing server allows you to test all your dynamic pages on your local machine, as well as store your database locally for testing. This can be very useful, and makes complex web development much faster. However, not everyone needs one for simple tasks, and the process of setting up a testing server may be more work than it is worth. If planning on implementing a simple standard html website, you may not need a testing server, unless you plan on adding a database with server side scripting such as ASP/ASP.NET/PHP etc. In most cases, having a local testing server will save you time and make developing your dynamic website easier.

A testing server is a ‘server’ that mimics your web server but can run on your local computer or shared network resource computer. The advantages to using it means that you no longer need to upload dynamic files to see how they work. Instead, you will be able work on your website locally, including any testing to your databases, without ever affecting your live website.

Developing web applications and sites on a local server is far superior to trying to work on one across the internet. It will be easier and faster for you to make changes and preview the website without having to upload your revised files each time. Additionally, if you have concerns about bandwidth usage, using a local server will not put any additional strain on your web server. One added benefit of doing this is that you always have a backup of your website, should something happen to your web server. And above all, you will avoid making costly errors that can affect and increase any potential downtime on your live website

The poplular webservers

The type of local server you need depends on what kind of development language or database you might use with your website. If you are using only PHP, Perl, and Python and MySQL then you can select Apache webserverhosting. Apache webserver hosting will not support ASP, ASP.NET, Access and MS SQL. The Windows hosting (IIS) supports a wide range applications scripted in various languages and development tools. This gives you the ability to run a site scripted in PHP and driven by MySQL (You have to install both in IIS) databases right beside your Microsoft technologies like ASP, ASP.NET, Access and MS SQL. The popular webserver's are listed below, We have included step by step tutorials for installation and configuration of these servers and also included these packages in our download section of this support site.
  1. XAMPP: If you want to install an Apache webserver, we suggest using XAMPP(Cross-Platform Apache MySQL PHP Perl) server, One of the benefits to selecting this server is that it works across all platforms including Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, and Solaris.
  2. WAMP: WampServer is a Windows web development environment. It allows you to create web applications with Apache2, PHP and a MySQL database. It also comes with PHPMyAdmin and SQLiteManager to easily manage your databases.
  3. IIS 6.x: Microsofts Webserver bundled with Windows XP/NT/2005 etc. You can install this by the help of your Windows Installation CD. You have to install MS SQL Lite for database support or you can use MS Access.
  4. IIS 7.x: Microsofts Webserver bundled with Windows 7/2008/Vista etc. You can install this by the help of your Windows Installation CD. You have to install MS SQL Lite for database support or you can use MS Access.
  5. ASP.NET Development Server: The ASP.NET Development Server is an alternative web server option for the development environment; it ships with and is integrated into Visual Studio. Unless the web application has been configured to use IIS, the ASP.NET Development Server is automatically started and used as the web server the first time you visit a web page from within Visual Studio.
  6. Baby Webserver This program was build as an alternative for Microsoft's IIS. The main goal was to design a simple web server with support for Classic ASP. Setting up Baby ASP Web Server is very easy: copy the executable to a directory of your choice, set the directory of your webpages and it's ready to run!
We hope the Local host section in this blog will help you to install and configure these webservers.

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