Setting Up a Web Application on Windows Server with MySQL/MariaDB

Here's a step-by-step guide for installing and configuring your web application on a Windows PC to serve as a local network server:

1. Database Setup

1. Install MySQL/MariaDB:

   • Download the MySQL Installer or MariaDB MSI package for Windows
   • Run the installer and follow the setup wizard
   • Set a secure root password during installation
   • Configure MySQL/MariaDB to start automatically with Windows

2. Database Configuration:

   SQLCopied
   -- Create a dedicated database user with limited permissions
   CREATE USER 'appuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'secure_password';
   CREATE DATABASE your_app_db;
   GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE ON your_app_db.* TO 'appuser'@'localhost';
   FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

2. Web Server Setup

1. Install a Web Server:

   • For PHP applications: Install XAMPP, WampServer, or IIS with PHP
   • For Node.js: Install Node.js and configure it as a Windows service
   • For Java: Install Tomcat or another appropriate application server

2. Configure the Web Server:

   • Set up virtual hosts if needed
   • Configure proper port settings (typically 80 for HTTP, 443 for HTTPS)
   • Ensure the web server starts automatically with Windows

3. Application Deployment

1. Compile/Build Your Application (if necessary)
2. Deploy Files to the appropriate web server directory
3. Configure Application Settings:
   • Update database connection strings to use localhost
   • Adjust file paths for Windows environment
   • Set appropriate logging configurations

4. Network Configuration

1. Configure Windows Firewall:

   POWERSHELLCopied
   # Allow web server port through firewall
   New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Allow Web Server" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 80 -Action Allow

2. Set Static IP for the server machine

3. Configure DNS or use hosts files on client machines

5. Testing and Monitoring

1. Test Local Access first (http://localhost/)
2. Test Network Access from client machines (http://server-ip-address/)
3. Set Up Monitoring to track server health and application performance

6. Backup Strategy

1. Configure Regular Database Backups:

   BATCopied
   @echo off
   set BACKUP_PATH=C:\backups
   set TIMESTAMP=%date:~10,4%%date:~4,2%%date:~7,2%_%time:~0,2%%time:~3,2%
   mysqldump -u root -p your_app_db > %BACKUP_PATH%\db_backup_%TIMESTAMP%.sql

2. Schedule the backup script using Windows Task Scheduler

This setup should provide a reliable local server for your web application that clients can access over the local network, even with unreliable internet connections.