Welcome Dev to the Ultimate Guide to WAMP Server Virtual Host Setup

If you are a web developer or a web designer, you must have heard of WAMP server. WAMP server is the perfect solution for developers who want to create dynamic web applications using PHP and MySQL. However, setting up a WAMP server can be a daunting task, especially if you are doing it for the first time. In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up a virtual host on your WAMP server.

What is a Virtual Host?

Before we dive into the process of setting up a virtual host on a WAMP server, let’s understand what a virtual host is. In simple terms, a virtual host is an Apache configuration that allows you to run multiple websites on a single server. Each website has its domain name and content, but they all share the same server resources such as memory, CPU, and disk space.

A virtual host allows you to test your websites locally before uploading them to a live server. This is especially useful for developers who want to test their PHP applications before making them live.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Virtual Host on Your WAMP Server

Step 1: Install WAMP Server

The first step in setting up a virtual host on your WAMP server is to install WAMP server. You can download the latest version of WAMP server from their official website. Once you have downloaded the installer, run it and follow the instructions to install WAMP server on your computer.

Step 2: Enable Virtual Hosts in Apache

The next step is to enable virtual hosts in Apache. To do this, you need to open the Apache configuration file httpd.conf. You can find this file in the Apache folder within the WAMP server installation folder.

Search for the following line of code:

#Include conf/extra/httpd-vhosts.conf

Remove the ‘#’ at the beginning of the line to uncomment it.

Save and close the file.

Step 3: Create a New Folder for Your Website

The next step is to create a new folder for your website. You can create this folder in the www folder within the WAMP server installation folder. Give your folder a name that is easy to remember, such as ‘mywebsite’.

Step 4: Create a New Virtual Host

The next step is to create a new virtual host for your website. To do this, you need to open the Apache virtual hosts configuration file httpd-vhosts.conf. You can find this file in the Apache folder within the WAMP server installation folder.

Add the following code at the end of the file:

<VirtualHost *:80>

DocumentRoot "C:/wamp64/www/mywebsite"

ServerName mywebsite.dev

</VirtualHost>

Replace ‘mywebsite’ with the name of the folder you created earlier. Also, replace ‘.dev’ with any domain name that you want to use for your website. It is a good practice to use a domain name that ends with .dev for local development.

Save and close the file.

Step 5: Update Your Hosts File

The final step is to update your hosts file. The hosts file maps domain names to IP addresses. Open your hosts file located in the following location: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts. Add the following line of code at the end of the file:

127.0.0.1 mywebsite.dev

Save and close the file.

FAQs

1. What is WAMP server?

WAMP server is a software package that allows you to run PHP and MySQL on your local computer.

2. Why do I need a virtual host?

A virtual host allows you to run multiple websites on a single server, which is useful for developers who want to test their websites locally before making them live.

3. Can I have multiple virtual hosts on my WAMP server?

Yes, you can have multiple virtual hosts on your WAMP server.

4. What is the hosts file?

The hosts file is a file on your computer that maps domain names to IP addresses.

5. What is the Apache configuration file?

The Apache configuration file is a file that contains configuration settings for the Apache web server.

Conclusion

Setting up a virtual host on your WAMP server is not as difficult as it may seem. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily set up a virtual host and start testing your PHP applications locally. Remember to give your virtual host a unique domain name and update your hosts file to map the domain name to your localhost IP address.