HTTP server Professional

An HTTP server provides the connection between a Web browser like FireFox or MS Internet Explorer, often working on a remote client station, and the WAA server. The HTTP server and the WAA server can be installed on the same or on two different computers. If you do not have an HTTP server running, you may install the Apache HTTP server supplied with the WAA development kit.

If you intend to use a different HTTP server, or if you have an HTTP server already up and running, please refer to the installation guide that comes along with that server product. After an HTTP server is installed, you must connect it with the WAA server. This connection is provided by the WAA gateway which must be installed and configured on the computer that runs the HTTP server.

As a rule of thumb, the HTTP server must have a ...\CGI-BIN directory where the "waa1gate.exe" gateway is to be installed. The name of this directory, however, can vary between different HTTP servers; it can even be a virtual directory. It is therefore highly recommended to consult the documentation of your HTTP server for detailed information.

The WAA development kit includes the Apache HTTP server for the Windows platform. Note that the HTTP server and the WAA server may reside on two different workstations. For a complete documentation of the Apache HTTP server refer to http://www.apache.org/docs.

To install the Apache Web Server, select Apache Web Server in the Startmenu entry of the WAA installation. The file apache_2.2.10-win32-x86-no_ssl.msiis a Microsoft Installer Package and installs the Apache HTTP server as a service on your computer. During the installation process it is recommended not to change the directory into which the Apache server will be installed as all help files depend upon this installation directory.

Detailed information about the WAA installation can be found in the section WAA Server kit .

This section includes notes on how to install the Microsoft Internet Information Server, referred to as IIS from here on.

For IIS versions smaller than 4.0

First install the MS IIS by opening the Network icon in the Control Panel. Select Services and click the Add button. Now select the IIS (or Peer Web Services, if you are running Windows NT Workstation). Follow the installation instructions. If you had a Service Pack for Windows NT installed, you should install it again. As default, Windows NT installs the version 2.0 of the IIS. Service Pack 3 for Windows NT upgrades this to version 3.0.

For IIS versions 4.0 to 6.0

Make sure that your system fulfills the requirements for the IIS 4.0 and install it from the Windows NT-Option Pack CD. A standard installation enables WAA to run properly.

All versions up to version 6.0

After a successful installation of the IIS, use the Internet Service Manager to configure your HTTP server. Select the WWW service and check if you already have a virtual directory named /SCRIPTS. If this is not the case, add a new virtual directory and make sure that it will allow for accessing and executing programs. Note that every virtual directory is mapped to a physical one; so you have to make sure that the physical directory really exists. For example, the virtual directory /SCRIPTS can be mapped to the physical directory C:\INETPUB\SCRIPTS. This does not create the \INETPUB\SCRIPTS directory on drive C:, but only maps a virtual directory to this location. The Read and Execute rights must be granted by checking the corresponding check boxes.

For IIS version 7.0

The Internet Information Server 7 (IIS7) is available for Windows Vista Professional (Business, Enterprise and Ultimate) and later (Professional Edition) operating systems. Make sure that your system fully meets the requirements for the IIS7.

To install IIS7, select Programs in the control panel. In the category Programs and Features, select Turn Windows Features on or off. Select the item Internet Information Services.

Using IIS7, the preferred gateway is "waa1gate.dll". You therefore need to ensure that the option ISAPI Extensions is enabled. ISAPI Extensions is a sub item of Turn Windows Features on or off -> Internet Information Services, World Wide Web Services -> Application Development Features. Refer to the section IIS version 7.0on how to configure the IIS7 Web Server to run the sample collection coming with the WAA installation package.

Information about the IIS7 and its configuration can be found on the IIS website http://www.iis.net.