Creating Wamp Server Virtual Host for Dev

Hello Dev, are you looking to improve your web development skills? One way to do so is by using the Wamp server virtual host. This tool allows you to create multiple websites on your local server, which is a great way to test and experiment with different functionalities and designs. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of setting up a Wamp server virtual host for your personal or professional use.

What is Wamp Server Virtual Host?

Wamp server virtual host is a tool that allows you to run multiple websites on a local server. When you use this tool, you can create different virtual hosts for each website, which are essentially different folders on your server that contain the website files. You can then access these websites through your browser by typing in the virtual host name instead of the localhost address.

For example, instead of typing in “localhost/mysite,” you can type in “mysite.dev” if you have set up a virtual host with that name. This makes it easier to switch between different websites and to test them separately without interfering with each other.

Step-by-Step Guide for Setting up Wamp Server Virtual Host

Step 1: Install Wamp Server

The first step in setting up a Wamp server virtual host is to install Wamp server on your computer. You can download the installation file from the official website and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

Step 2: Create a New Folder for Your Virtual Host

The next step is to create a new folder on your server for your virtual host. This folder should contain all the files and folders for your website.

You can create this folder in the “www” directory of your Wamp server installation. To do so, go to the Wamp server icon in your taskbar, right-click on it, and select “www directory.” This will open the folder where you can create a new folder for your virtual host.

Step 3: Edit the Virtual Hosts File

The virtual hosts file is a configuration file that tells your web server how to handle requests for different virtual hosts. You can find this file in the “C:\wamp\bin\apache\apacheX.X.XX\conf\extra” directory, where X.X.XX is the version number of your Apache server.

To edit this file, open it in a text editor and add the following code:

Code Snippet
<VirtualHost *:80>  DocumentRoot "C:/wamp/www/mysite"  ServerName mysite.dev  ErrorLog "logs/mysite.log" </VirtualHost>

Make sure to replace “mysite” with the name of your virtual host folder, and to choose a unique name for your virtual host. You can also change the port number if you are using a different port for your server.

Step 4: Edit the Hosts File

The hosts file is a local file on your computer that maps domain names to IP addresses. You need to edit this file to add a new entry for your virtual host.

To do so, open the hosts file in a text editor and add the following line:

Code Snippet
127.0.0.1 mysite.dev

Save the hosts file and close the text editor.

Step 5: Restart the Wamp Server

After editing the virtual hosts and hosts files, you need to restart the Wamp server for the changes to take effect. You can do so by clicking on the Wamp server icon in your taskbar and selecting “Restart All Services.”

Step 6: Test Your Virtual Host

Finally, you can test your virtual host by typing in the virtual host name in your browser’s address bar. If everything is set up correctly, you should see your website.

FAQ

What if I already have a website on my Wamp server?

If you already have a website on your Wamp server, you can still set up a virtual host for a new website. Simply create a new folder for the new website and follow the same steps as above. The virtual hosts file will handle requests for both websites and direct them to the right folder.

Can I access my virtual host from other computers?

By default, your virtual host is only accessible from your local computer. However, you can configure your router to allow external access to your virtual host by forwarding the port used by your Wamp server.

What if I get a “404 Not Found” error?

If you get a “404 Not Found” error when accessing your virtual host, it is likely that there is an error in your virtual hosts or hosts file. Double-check to make sure that you have entered the correct paths and names.

Can I use Wamp server virtual host for production websites?

While Wamp server virtual host is a great tool for testing and experimentation, it is not recommended for production websites. Production websites should be hosted on a separate server with proper security measures in place.

What if I want to remove a virtual host?

To remove a virtual host, simply delete the virtual host folder and remove the corresponding entry from the virtual hosts and hosts files. Then, restart the Wamp server to apply the changes.

Congratulations, Dev! You have successfully set up a Wamp server virtual host for your website. You can now create and test multiple websites on your local server with ease. Keep experimenting and learning, and don’t forget to share your results with the community!