Windows 2003 server

Hello,

A friend asked me to help him set up a web site running on a Windows 2003 server. While I've experience working with the Apache server, I'm not familiar at all with Windows 2003 server. I hope someone can help me with the questions below.

1) Does it function exactly like having the Apache server running? Do you have something like a httpd.conf file?

2) I'm familiar with MySQL. Can I install it on the Windows 2003 server just like I do on a Windows XP computer?

3) I would like to use Python for CGI. Would I be able to install Python on the server? Would I be able to run Python CGI/web scripts just like I'm able to do it on a server running Apache?

Thanks in anticipation :)

1. No. (Edit: This may no longer be true for the latest version of IIS http://technet2.microsoft.com/windowsserver/en/library/6da7262e-2353-4dca-930b-d8442e4278661033.mspx?mfr=true)
2. Yes
3. Don't know. I only use python for stand alone applications.

You can use Apache instead of IIS on Windows Server, FYI.

You can use Apache instead of IIS on Windows Server, FYI.

Thanks, oracleguy :thumbsup:

If I do that and the Windows 2003 server is running other services (e.g. File Sharing), would these be disrupted?

I re-read your first post and a little clarification might help -

Window 2003 is an operating system, not a web server.

IIS is Microsoft's web server.

An IIS web server or Apache web server are just services that run under an operating system. They "listen" to TCP/IP traffic on a specific port number (typically port 80) and service requests made to them.

Mysql or other database servers as also just services that run under an operating system and service requests made to them.

If the existing system is not currently using IIS (you would need to remove IIS to install a different web server to avoid default port number conflicts) or IIS is not even installed, then you can install Apache as long as the customer does not plan on using any IIS/Microsoft specific web technology, such as ASP.NET.

If the existing system is not currently using IIS (you would need to remove IIS to install a different web server to avoid default port number conflicts) or IIS is not even installed, then you can install Apache as long as the customer does not plan on using any IIS/Microsoft specific web technology, such as ASP.NET.

No need to uninstall it. Just need to shut down the IIS service before starting up Apache.

Thanks guys, that was great help ;)