Tutorial: Hosting PHP/MySQL Websites on a OuiHeberg Windows VPS

Hosting a PHP/MySQL website on a Windows VPS is an excellent solution for projects requiring reliable performance and advanced customization. Here's how to set up a web server on your OuiHeberg VPS using WAMP (Windows, Apache, MySQL, PHP).

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Prerequisites

• A Windows VPS (provided by OuiHeberg).
• A Remote Desktop Connection (RDP) to access the VPS.
• A stable internet connection.

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Step 1: Connecting to Your Windows VPS

1. Retrieve your RDP details from your OuiHeberg client area.
   • IP address, username, password.
2. On your local computer, launch the Remote Desktop application:
   • Enter the IP address of your VPS.
   • Log in using your credentials.

1. Once connected, you’ll have access to the VPS desktop.

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Step 2: Download and Install WAMP

1. Download WAMP:
   • Go to the official website: https://www.wampserver.com.
   • Download the version compatible with your system (64-bit).

1. Install WAMP:
   • Follow the steps in the installation wizard.

You may encounter an error like this:

--------------------------- Installation --------------------------- VC_2010_SP1_REDIST_X86 - Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86) **** NOT INSTALLED **** ... (additional messages omitted for brevity).

Steps to resolve the issue:

1. Download the missing packages: Visit the link provided:
   https://wampserver.aviatechno.net/
   Go to the "Visual C++ Redistributable Packages" section and download the following versions:

   • VC++ 2010 SP1 (x86 and x64)
   • VC++ 2012 Update 4 (x86 and x64)
   • VC++ 2013 Update 5 (x86 and x64)
   • VC++ 2015-2022 (x86 and x64)

2. Install the packages: Once downloaded, install all the required versions by double-clicking each file.

3. Verify the installation: After installing the packages, restart the software installation. The issue should be resolved.

4. • Choose a default installation folder (e.g., C:\wamp64).
   • When prompted for a browser, select one of your choice (e.g., Chrome).

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Step 3: Basic WAMP Configuration

1. Start WAMP:
   • Launch the WAMP application.
   • Ensure the WAMP icon in the taskbar is green (indicating Apache and MySQL are running properly).
2. Verify the Apache server:
   • Open a web browser on the VPS.
   • Go to http://localhost/ to view the WAMP homepage.

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Step 4: Create a MySQL Database

1. Click the WAMP icon in the taskbar and select phpMyAdmin.
2. Log in using the default credentials:
   • Username: root
   • Password: (leave blank by default).
3. 

1. Create a new database:
   • Click New Database.
   • Enter a name for the database, e.g., my_site_db.

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Step 5: Host Your PHP Site

1. Add your PHP files:
   • Place your site files in the C:\wamp64\www\ directory (e.g., C:\wamp64\www\my_site).
2. Configure a virtual host (optional):
   • Click the WAMP icon > Tools > Add a Virtual Host.
   • Enter a name for your site (e.g., my_site.local) and the path to your site folder.
   • Add an entry to the hosts file to map your virtual host to localhost.
     • File: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
     • Line to add: 127.0.0.1 my_site.local

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Step 6: Test Your Site

1. Open a browser and access your site:
   • http://localhost/my_site or http://my_site.local (if a virtual host is configured).
2. Ensure your site displays correctly.

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Step 7: Configure External Access

1. Open port 80 in the Windows firewall:
   • Go to Control Panel > Windows Firewall > Advanced Settings.
   • Add a rule to allow incoming connections on port 80.
2. Point a domain or IP to your VPS:
   • If you have a domain registered with OuiHeberg, configure its DNS to point to your VPS IP address.

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Step 8: Install an SSL Certificate (Optional but Recommended)

1. Use a tool like Certbot to generate and install an SSL certificate.
2. Configure Apache to enforce HTTPS usage.

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Conclusion

Your PHP/MySQL site is now hosted on your OuiHeberg Windows VPS. You can manage your site files via C:\wamp64\www\, create additional databases via phpMyAdmin, and customize WAMP configurations as needed.

For any questions or assistance, feel free to contact OuiHeberg support. 😊