Web Server Setup

Web Server Setup

SpecProc2Browser requires that your PC is running a web server.
You can use any server software you like.
The default installation of SP2B assumes that you are using Microsoft Internet Information Services (this is a Windows feature, you just need to enable it).

SP2B only need the simplest of servers; it is only looking at pages on localhost.
You only need to know where the root folder is on your PC as that is needed as part of SP2B configuration.
For example, if you are using IIS (see below) then the default root folder is C:\inetpub\wwwroot

In the simplest sense you only need to do these four things:
1. Install a web server
2. Configure SP2B to align with the server's web root folder
3. Ensure the folder below the web root has write access
4. Test

Are you already running a web server?

Open a browser.
Type localhost
If you get a web page then you have a server running.
Now make sure you know where the server root file is.

ISS or Apache?

IIS already installed, just waiting for you to enable it.
Apache much more intimidating to install.
If you are just using the web server to support SP2B then neither needs configuration.
IIS seems to come with file access errors that need you to set folder privledges. (See https://sourceforge.net/p/specproc2browser/blog/2023/04/file-access-errors/)
Apache uses identical folder priviledges, but seems to be less hassle.

IIS

Microsoft Internet Information Services - IIS
This is a Windows Feature.
Press the Windows key and start typing "Turn Windows Features On or Off".
Choose Internet Information Services and leave everything at default.
You most probably have to restart.
Test it is running - See "Are you already running a web server?" above.
Alternatively search "how to install iis on windows"

Apache

The home page, downloads link takes you to here:
https://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi
But you actually get the executable from one of these places here:
https://httpd.apache.org/docs/current/platform/windows.html#down
ApacheHaus only distributes the web server (which is the bit you want). Most of the other links bundle in services that are not needed to support SP2B.
This takes you to here:
https://www.apachehaus.com/cgi-bin/download.plx
You will need the x64 version.
What you get is a zip file not an installer.

1. Unzip.
2. Move the Apache24 folder to C:\
3. Your webRoot folder is now C:\Apache24\htdocs
4. Read the readme.html file that you left behind in the unzip place.
5. This gives you instructions on how to start and stop the server. It does not have a windows interface like IIS. It is all command line.
6. Once it is all working you will want to set the server to run as a service so that it starts and stops with Windows. If you don't you will have to manually start it via a command prompt everytime you want to use it.
7. Lastly you need to make sure that you have the Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 x64 Redistributable installed.
8. You probably already have this. You can either check by looking on the Add or Remove Programs list or download it, start to install it and see if you get an Install or a Repair/Modify message. Lastly you could just run Apache anyway and if it works you must have it installed. Don't forget you need the x64 version.
9. Type localhost in the browser and see if it works.

Rebex Tiny Webserver

https://www.rebex.net/tiny-web-server/
It's a lovely super simple thing, but it does not support space characters in file names. Plus it doesn't operate as a service
Don't bother with this one as you will undoubtedly have filenames that somewhere in the path contain spaces and you will need it as a service so it starts and stops with Windows.

Any other web server

There are loads to choose from.
Search for "Locahost web server free"
You will have to follow their installation instructions.