30 Steps to install PHP 5.x.x on Windows Server 2003 SP2 with IIS 6

OK, so you tried installing PHP and it did not go well. Here are the steps I used.




When using the installer, I believe there is a universal agreement that though it might work, that

too many things can go wrong. Ok, here we go:

1. Install Server 2003/SP2 and IIS 6 on your server


2. Got to www.php.net, upper part of page, download php 5.2.10


3. Make sure you download the Win Bin Zip Package


4. Create a folder for php, like c:\php5


5. Open the Zip File


6. Copy all the files to the folder you just created - c:\php5


7. Go to the Windows directory


8. Copy php.ini.recommended to the Windows Directory


9. Rename the file to just php.ini in the Windows Directory


10. Got to system32 Directory under the Windows Directory and copy php5ts.dll to it from the c:\php5 folder


11. Go to IIS


12. Right click Web sites, and select Properties


13. Select the HOME tab


14. Select Configuration


15. Add button, then browse to c:php5


16. Select php5isapi.dll


17. Add the extension .php


18. Ok, Ok


19. Select Document Tab


20. Add index.php


21. Select the Web Services Folder


22. Right Click on it


23. Select Add new Extension


24. Add PHP


25. Add phpisapi.dll


26. Check the "set allow extension"


27. Go to the root of your web site, like inetpub\webroot\ Create an index.php with Notepad
    
    and add:
    
    <?php
    
    phpinfo();
    
    ?>


28. Save


29. In browser go to url http://localhost


30. PHP Info should pop up

Giving due credit where credit is due, there is a great How to video on the above steps at: Video Tutorial

Small Busines Server 2008 in Vmware ESXi

It has been quite a while since I have added to my Blog; but since my employer decided to let their top Administrator go because they could not handle the economic downturn, I have found a new lease on life. Thanks employer!

A couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday, a bunch of Geeks gathered together to do a load fest of sorts of Windows Small Business Server 2008.

Each of us brought our own equipment and our best intentions to load the newest version of SBS. Each of us was trying different methods. One person was trying to do a migration of 2008 SBS to 2008 SBS but from physical to Virtual using MS hyper V. Another did a brand new install, but also on MS hyper V. The others, I don't remember but I believe they went standard on the hardware installs. I attempted SBS 2008 on a box running VMware ESXi 3 v4.

My Box was a thrown together: how cheap can I get this done type. I did use a brand new Intel Micro Board with 8 Gigs or RAM. Two Hard Drives: one 2.5 laptop Sata, and a 3.5 Samsung Terabyte drive. Oh yeah, make sure you have the VT turned on and the ACHI turned on.

I have never ever installed any version of SBS, so I was and consider myself a newbie to this OS. I am a seasoned techie when it comes to MS' other Server versions and Desktop OS(s). I am looking to learn more about this product.

Here is a step by step experience of what happened:

1. ESXi was installed on the 2.5 and working. I had put the second drive, the 3.5 Samsung in with the intention of putting all the Guests OS there; but ESXi would not see the second drive. So I booted the box with Gparted. Created a partition. Booted again to ESXi. Now I could see it and was able to add it to ESXi's data store.

2. Create VM using the Server 64 2008 choice. There is no choice for SBS 2008.

3. Could not boot VM from DVD:

• Set VM boot to dvd 1st
• Set time out to 10,ooo in VM so I can get to Bios better
• Still could not connect so then:
• I created an ISO of the SBS DVD
• Using Veam, I moved it to iso folder I created on the first hd of the esxi
• Connected the iso in the guest. It has some problems - I don't know why, but anyway I redid the boot order and it booted up.

4. Note: on Firefox, Going to the ESXi on browser, gave me Sec_error_ca_cert_invalid pop up.

• In the address bar type about:config
• goto browser.xul.error_pages_enabled and set it to true by double clicking
• try again
• accept certificate

5. Installed SBS 2008

6. Decided to put second NIC in server

7. Created second Virtual Switch

8. Attached SBS to the 2nd Virtual Switch

9. SBS Wizard - Internet

• Because I did not have my own router (all the other guys did), It had me put in a static IP - It still bombed out, but I kept going and put a static also for server IP.

10. This is where I stopped at the load fest.

11. At home now - I put SBS back on the first Virtual Switch

12. Put SBS on my home network.

13. Ran Wizard

• Connect to Internet
• Disabled DHCP on m y router
• Finish config for internet

14 . Did the Forefront One Care thing

15. Read Using the Windows SBS console.

16. Setup Internet address.

17. Configured Smart Host for Internet email.

18. Added two user accounts.

19. Attached a workstation and connected users to it.

20. SBS became my DHCP server automatically. It configured itself. The main thing is that you have to make sure that the DCHP is turned off on your router.

This is where I stopped for now. I plan to wipe it and start again. I need to get the Exchange piece going, but I need a second static IP from ISP for home because my Home Server is on my only one. Oh, yeah Home Server. That is a pretty cool product.

See you soon.

Delco

Loading DWRT54G Linksys with DD-WRT

This is about the coolest thing I have done lately. I first read about this on Maximum PC, then on LifeHacker - changing the Operating system on a Linksys router from the default manufacturer with something better. There are two that I know of, Tomato and DD-WRT.

The Router I used was a Linksys DWRT54G v.6

The best information I got to do this with, was at this location: Bitsum Technologies .

Why would I want to do this? Well, there are all kinds of reasons, but here are just a few:

1. I am able to boost the power of the signal.
2. I am able to control which antenna is used to send or receive.
3. Radius authentication

I also have a Microsoft Router, that I have been using for years, but the darn thing is so locked down, that outside basic configuration, you can't do much at all. But I got it really cheap, and it was my first wireless router. I found that according to DD-WRT site, I can flash and change the firmware on that also.

One caution: Only do these if you are not afraid to completely bricking your router - I use routers that I can spare. If it fails, and I cannot recover, I am not out some crucial piece of equipment. On the other hand, success gives me a huge advantage and is like getting a new piece of hardware.

Here are the Step by step:

For the WRT54G v5, v5.1, and v6 ONLY

1. Download [vxworks_prep_v03.zip] and extract.
2. Download [vxworks_killer_g_v06.zip] and extract, OR create a custom firmware image with your MAC address embedded in it. See the 'Changing your MAC address' section below for more information.
3. Download [DD-WRT micro generic]. You may want to check [DD-WRT] to make sure there isn't a newer version than v23 SP2 beta 08/03/06. Do not use the one labelled 'WRT54G' or 'WRT54GS', use the 'generic' version.
4. If you don't know how to use (or don't have) a console mode TFTP tool (i.e. tftp.exe), download the [Linksys TFTP transfer tool].
5. You will want to assign your network adaptor a manual IP address, since you may loose your automatically configured one and have trouble TFTP'ing the firmware. To do this see the troubleshooting section or google it. It's done at the properties dialog of your network connection, in the 'Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)' properties.
6. Go to your router's web based interface and enter the 'Administration' tab. Then select 'Firmware Upgrade' and choose the vxworks_prep_v03.bin file. Hit apply. After a minute, your browser window will go blank. At this point, power cycle your router.
7. Again point your web browser to http://192.168.1.1. You'll see a different sort of firmware upgrade screen. This is the Management Mode. Select and apply the vxworks_killer_g_v06.bin firmware upgrade. WAIT for your browser window to turn to report 'Success'. Have troubles? Try a different web browser, the http daemon in management mode is very finicky.
8. Now unplug the power cord of your router, then plug it back in. The power LED should now be blinking.
9. Now you need to do a binary mode TFTP transfer of DD-WRT micro generic to your router. To do this you can use the Windows TFTP console mode utility, the Linksys TFTP Windows GUI utility, or some other TFTP client. You may have to disable your firewall if by some chance it is blocking outgoing connections on port 69. Many TFTP clients don't default to binary mode, so be sure to specify it (i.e. the -i switch with the Windows console mode TFTP utility).
• For Windows TFTP console mode utility (example, adjust accordingly):
• tftp -i 192.168.1.1 put dd-wrt.v23_micro_generic.bin
• For the GUI utility
• simply enter your router's IP (192.168.1.1), select dd-wrt.v23_micro_generic.bin, leave the password field blank, and initiate the transfer.

Do NOT reboot your router after TFTP'ing, this will happen automatically. It takes a couple minutes after the TFTP transfer finishes for the firmware to actually be flashed.

Delco