Hosting the PHP PowerDash Server PowerDash 1.1

1. (Optional) Install PHP

Please skip this section if your provider offers a pre-installed PHP installation.

1. Install PHP 5.2 or higher
2. In the PHP installation directory, copy php.ini-recommended to php.ini.
3. In php.ini, add/uncomment

   ; Directory in which the loadable extensions (modules) reside.
   extension_dir = "c:\programs\php\ext"
   
   Extracted from file:/C:/programs/php/php.ini

   and add/uncomment

   extension=php_mysql.dll
   
   Extracted from file:/C:/programs/php/php.ini

4. Add the PHP installation directory to the PATH environment variable

2. (Optional) Install Apache Web Server

Please skip this section if your provider offers a pre-installed Apache installation.

Note: The following instructions show a minimal setup on a MS-Windows platform. Alternative setups are possible, please consult the Apache manual.

1. Install Apache 2.x or higher.
2. Add to the httpd.conf file the following lines

   1. # Bind mime-type x-mapp-php5 to php executable. 
      ScriptAlias /php/ "c:/programs/php/"
      Action x-mapp-php5 "/php/php-cgi.exe"
      # Set log for error occuring while apache is dispatching to php executable.
      ScriptLog logs/cgi.log
      
      Extracted from file:/C:/Programme/Apache%20Group/Apache2/conf/httpd.conf

      where you have to substitute the PHP installation directory and

   2. # Bind powerdash index to URL http://localhost:8080/powerdash/index.html 
      <VirtualHost *:8080>
          DocumentRoot "D:/dist/j2js-1.1"
      </VirtualHost>
      
      Extracted from file:/C:/Programme/Apache%20Group/Apache2/conf/httpd.conf

      where you have to substitute the path to the powerdash directory and the port number.

   3. # Allow to set certain policies in the .htaccess file on a per directory basis.
      <Directory "D:/dist/j2js-1.1/powerdash/php">
          AllowOverride All
      </Directory>
      
      Extracted from file:/C:/Programme/Apache%20Group/Apache2/conf/httpd.conf

      where you have to substitute the path to powerdashs php-directory.
   4. Make sure that Apache listens to the port specified in the VirtualHost directive, that is the line

      Listen 8080
      
      Extracted from file:/C:/Programme/Apache%20Group/Apache2/conf/httpd.conf

      must be present.

You should now be able to load the powerdash index under index.html

3. (Optional) Install MySQL Server

Please skip this section if your provider offers a pre-installed MySQL installation.

1. Download and install MySQL Database 5.x or higher.
2. Choose to start MySQL as a deamon.
3. You will be asked for a password to the root account.
4. If you reinstall MySQL, take care to remove all previous content (in particular, remove the installation directory by hand after removing MySQL through the platform software uninstallation).
5. Consider installing phpMyAdmin to administer MySQL.

4. Install PowerDash PHP Server

1. Download the PowerDash PHP Archive.
2. Deploy/Unzip the archive under Apaches DocumentRoot.
3. Customize the PHP Server:
   1. Locate file php/configuration.php.
   2. In this configuration file, set the variables as instructed.
4. Define Apaches access to the PHP files:
   1. Locate file php/.htaccess.
   2. In this file, set the correct mime-type for files with the .php extension. This is done with the AddType directive.
      • If you followed the instructions in Install Apache Web Server, do nothing, as the pre-defined mime-type x-mapp-php5 already matches.
      • If you use a pre-installed Apache, consult your provider for the correct mime-type.
5. Start the PowerDash Manager to initialize or upgrade the database.