Professional Apache 2.0

Apache's HTTP server has been by many measures the most popular web server on the web, and perhaps the primary application that drives people to Linux and open source. Three years ago, Wrox published the definitive book on running the Apache server by Peter Wainwright. Excellent though the book was, it badly needed updating. In May 2002, Wrox published another book, Professional Apache 2.0, which covers the new generation of Apache server, as well as older 1.3x versions that are still running production servers around the world." Although Apache changed a great deal in its version 2.0, it is a credit to the Apache folk that the config files and command line options have basically remained the same for sys admins. For this reason, the book seems to include a lot of material (CGI security, building, core modules) from the original book. However, a closer look reveals many changes. Almost every chapter includes a discussion about how features differ in both versions of Apache. The book does a good job of giving an overview of Apache's architectural changes and how the use of multi-processing modules (MPM) allow the admin to choose an optimal implementation of apache. This edition, noticeably bigger than the previous one, contains many more examples of how one can extend apache functionality (configuring for binary distribution, setting up virtual interfaces, load sharing). Many sections have been expanded. The discussion of security and SSL is more detailed, yet more succinct; so is the section on content negotiation, (which is twice as long as the previous book), doing proxy server configurations, rsync and benchmarking performance. The discussion on hardening the server was great and up-to-date, although I wish the book spent more time discussing on patching and upgrading. What is new to the book? We find a longer discussion of graphic administration tools for Windows and Unix, including webmin (which actually I wanted more of). We also have discussions of newer modules such as mod_ruby, mod_python, mod_dav as well as a brief description on how to install tomcat alongside apache. The discussion of mod_dav was especially helpful and interesting to me (and I was especially glad that the author acknowledged the Subversion DAV module, something which is bound to become more important). The php stuff hasn't changed much (although at the time the book was published, 2.0 compatibility with PHP was still an iffy proposition). The book's discussion of mod_perl isn't significantly different, although it does point out migration issues and some additional features. Generally, the book is clearly written and contains enough examples to find any configuration you want. A few parts required rereading (especially the part about proxies and proxypasses), and occasionally I needed a better explanation of what the example code was supposed to do. No book can be everything for everybody, and nobody can accuse the book of not having enough content (it is after all mo

Peter Wainwright and the co-authors combine a vast knowledge of the Apache webserver with the talent to share it to a mixed audience.They also manage to combine some of the many possibilities of the software into new solutions.I used this book as part of an Apache course and was happy to find many of the answers to unexpected questions from students on special matters.

Peter Wainwright has done another fine job of covering the installation, configuration and running of Apache, thistime focussing on version 2.0 of the application.Much of the material in this book was covered in his previous edition (Professional Apache), though the obviousemphasis here is on Apache 2.0. However, Apache 1.3 isn't ignored and the book is still useful for anyone usingthat version, as well as anyone simply migrating to 2.0.As before, it starts with a basic overview of the HTTP protocol, TCP/IP and server hardware. These are useful forbeginners, but I'd hope that anyone thinking of running a web server would have this knowledge already.The section on improving web server security has been expanded into its own chapter and includes plenty of usefulsystem security and integrity advice not peculiar to web servers, but crucial nonetheless. The chapter onextending Apache with third-party modules has had an overhaul too, now covering the likes of WebDAV andmod_python. mod_perl, which has changed drastically for Apache 2.0, is also covered in detail for both versions ofApache.I've recently built an Apache 2.0 server from scratch using nothing but this book, and apart from a couple oftypos I've found it to have covered every step of the way without coming across any errors or omissions (the indexis very good but in the May 2002 print I have some of the entries are one page out). The book is still veryUnix-centric, though there seems to be more specific information for Windows users than in the previous edition.But then who would run Apache on Windows anyway? The author makes his views clear near the start of the book thatUnix is a preferable platform, but for the masochists there seems to be enough information to get Apache runningon Windows.If I have any complaints it's that perhaps the chapter on monitoring Apache could have been expanded somewhat inits description of log analysis tools. Only Analog is covered in any depth, though it is described in plenty ofdetail from installation to configuration and is arguably the most useful analyser out there anyway.Professional Apache 2.0 isn't a bed-time read, but it's an excellent tutorial and reference for the Apacheadministrator and far more useful than the online documentation. If you are planning to install or run Apache,then I highly recommend this book.

This book was quite impressive. This book has helped me set up several Apache 2.0 servers, all in a very short peroid of time. Any problems I had, the book always had good troubleshooting tips. The section on mod_python, PHP, and mod_perl were brilliant and things compiled perfectly without any problems. Like I said, everything was up and running much faster with the book to my side.I tried installing mod_snake and it compiled and was built perfectly. I am glad that there was mod_snake mentioned in the book, as the project has been abandoned, and I have yet to see a book covering the project. Especially now.Overall, yes, it may seem this book was rushed, but everything you'll need as a systems administrator is mentioned in the book. Wainwright did a good job.

I got this book looking for a rich learning experience and was not disappointed. This book has got some in-depth discussions on the installation and configuration options part with usage, performance and scalability in mind. There is a very informative chunk on security which greatly increases the value of this book. Its great for references on building and configuring apache modules. Its got a good chapter on "Deciding what the client wants" which was really helpful for me fine tune apache. I got some good insight into using WebDAV and fastCGI. This book also has details on a wide variety of CGI/embedded scripting options like mod_ruby, mod_WebDAV, mod_snake apart from mod_php, mod_perl and mod_tcl. We use Tomcat at work and this book briskly walked me through how to connect (various connector details included) to an Apache server from Tomcat. The SSL and other security feature details were invaluable when I was setting up our internal server at work. The primary weakness in this book was that occasionally I found Peter's narration style a bit complex to catch on to the first time but I guess his command of the subject makes up for it. The GUI utilities are well covered but not as much as I would like. This is a great book if you need to install and configure Apache rather than develop on it(DSO modules). All in all, this is a good book that lives up to its title.