Installation Manual

Localhost or Remote Host Installations
A localhost is a Web server and associated database that is set up directly on your computer or that may be
on a local network either within your home or business environment. You have direct easy access to the
machine upon which the software is situated
A remote host is one that you access via the internet it may be owned by you or you may rent it from a
dedicated hosting company. In this case there are different flavours such as managed, dedicated, virtual, or
shared hosting. But in simple terms the computer that houses the software is remote from you. The scope
and detailed explanation of each of these flavours is outside of the boundaries of this manual but whichever
option you select you must ensure that they meet your expected requirements together with the minimum
specifications detailed above.
In respect of the localhost option there are a number of ready made packages that put all the necessary
software together (excluding Joomla!) in one easily installable package that generally allow you to have your
own personal Web server and database without really knowing too much about how they work.
The following are the more readily available, and popular, varieties of these packages and the operating
systems for which they are designed.
Warning: With the exception of the LAMP packages, none of the others should be used for live Web sites
they are only intended for development/localhost servers. The LAMP packages when used in conjunction
with the Linux security measures are generally the same for localhost and live site situations.
The AMP elements within the following package names stand for Apache, MySQL, and PHP.
Package
Name
Operating System Web Site Documents
WAMP Windows http://www.wampserver.com/en/ http://www.wampserver.com/w
amp5.chm
MAMP Apple Mac OSX http://www.mamp.info/en/mamp.html http://www.mamp.info/en/help.
html
LAMP Linux (and other Unix) Distribution Dependant
XAMPP Multi-platform –Mac
Windows, Linux, Solaris,
http://apachefriends.org http://www.apachefriends.org/e
n/faq-xampp.html
Most Linux distributions these days come with the requisite components available within their own
repositories, or even within the main distribution software download that you get. There will often be different
ways of activating the functionality so you would need to check the documentation of your own particular
distribution choice. The individual distributions compile the necessary dependencies, links, and changes as a
part of the installation process, be it RPM, YUM, or one of the other bespoke installers.
Alternatively, on any OS platform you can download and configure the individual components from the
various Web sites listed (as you generally would need to do for a live Web site if your hosting provider did not
cater for these) and create your own servers, but these packages do provide an easier, integrated solution.
Most of the packages will also usually contain some form of database administration program as well, for
example, PHPMyAdmin or MySQLAdmin, to enable effective management of the database, if not, you will
find it advantageous to install such a program if you intend doing any sort of database editing work.
Caution: The remainder of this Manual assumes that you have a fully functioning Apache, MySQL, and PHP
based Web server.
We would strongly recommend testing Joomla! and its functionality on a localhost installation in the first
instance to get a feel for the software and what it can offer you.
On remote, hosted or dedicated servers the configuration and availability of these applications will depend on
the host provider or the operating system that is installed upon the server. It would be a wise move to
determine their current versions as well as the host's policy regarding updating the software before signing
any contracts. The variation that can occur between providers and OS can be significant and is outside the
scope of this brief instruction. If you encounter a problem with your host provider and the use of Joomla!
check the forums to see if other users have experienced the particular issue and what their solution was.
The Joomla! User Documentation Team 3 The Joomla! v1.5 Installation Manual