Install on a Windows Server 2003... extremly confusing

[Solenoid]

Hi,

I'm a beginner at this. I was given the task of installing supportsuite on a Windows Server 2003. The problem is that I don't have a clue of what I'm supposed to do. I have supportsuite, I have a server, what now? The supportsuite software is a bit confusing, from what I figured out it's a web based support center. I'm on a standalone server, so I need to make it work on my Windows Server 2003, and eventually on the network.

I looked trough the help section and it seems I have to have PHP and MySql installed, I have some experience with both but I never had to install them on a server before. I tried, but without success. I can access http://127.0.0.1/phpinfo.php, but it gives me a blank page with "The specifies procedure could not be found".

What I would like to know is what do I need to get supportsuite to work on my server, and how to do it. Can somebody help me out?

[eiden]

Which version of PHP have you installed? Are you using PHP as CGI og ISAPI ?

[supportskins]

Installing the Kayako product is rather simple provided your server meets the software requirements. Your issue seems to be with PHP installation. Make sure you have followed the PHP installation manual found at http://www.php.net/.

[Solenoid]

I downloaded the latest PHP version (5.2.3) as said in the SupportSuite manual. I think this starts to make some sense now. I need PHP and MySql to run SupportSuite, but it seems my DefaultAppPool stops unexpectedly without further notice whenever I try to access my localhost page ("Service Unavailable" message). And by localhost page I mean issstart.htm. So that's my blockage right now.

[eiden]

Ok, I have had some trouble installing PHP 5.2.3 on my Win2003 dev box, but I figured it out in the end.

I'm assuming that you have installed PHP using the Windows Installer. Anyway, I recommend that you install PHP as an ISAPI module.

[Solenoid]

Originally Posted by eiden

Ok, I have had some trouble installing PHP 5.2.3 on my Win2003 dev box, but I figured it out in the end.

I'm assuming that you have installed PHP using the Windows Installer. Anyway, I recommend that you install PHP as an ISAPI module.

I did install PHP using the Installer. Now I downloaded the .zip file and extracted everything in the C:\PHP\ folder. But no change. I never had as much trouble and I've never been so helpless in front of a computer... servers are evil! Why don't they work like they're supposed to?

[Solenoid]

Wait, I have to install the Zend optimizer too, but in the \lib directory there are some php-x.x.x folders, and the last one is php-5.1.x. So Zend optimizer won't work with php 5.2.3 anyway.

[Sheep]

If you're not using IIS, you may take a look at WAMP (apache, php & mysql easy installation): http://www.wampserver.com/en/index.php
Then install zendoptimizer... it works well

But wamp is a development platform and is not supposed to be used as a public website hoster ... but it also works.

[Solenoid]

I'd rather continue on IIS, because that's what they gave me. So far I've been working my butt off the PHP installation, the only real problem seems to be the DefaultAppPool in the Application Pool in the IIS Manager, it stops with an "Unspecified error" when I hit refresh on http://localhost/phpinfo.php (which exists... I made it). So now I got ISAPI PHP everywhere, but the stupid DefaultAppPool isn't doing what I want.

[eiden]

Hold on, I will try to install PHP5 on a fresh install of Win 2003.

[eiden]

Download the PHP Windows Installer.
Install PHP to C:\Program Files\PHP\ as an IIS ISAPI Module.
After setup, restart IIS.
Go to "Web Sites". Right-clicked on my website and selected "Properties".
Go to the tab "Home Directory" and click the "Configuration" button.
Scroll down to .php (under "Application extensions") and select it.
Click on the "Edit" button.
Change from: "C:\PROGRA~1\PHP\PHP5IS~1.DLL" to "C:\Program Files\PHP\php5isapi.dll" (with the quotes).
Restart IIS.

[Solenoid]

I got PHP to work by uninstalling and reinstalling the IIS in windows commponents (Google = God). Now to get the Zend Optimizer in the phpinfo. Also, somehow, http://localhost/supportsuite doesn't work. It's an ant step for humanity, but an astronomical leap for me.

[eiden]

Great!

Does http://localhost/supportsuite/index.php work? If it does, just add index.php to your document lists in IIS.

[Solenoid]

Originally Posted by eiden

Great!

Does http://localhost/supportsuite/index.php work? If it does, just add index.php to your document lists in IIS.

Yes, thanks. I didn't bother to check because I added it in the document lists before... the reinstallation. Dumb me .

[eiden]

Hehe

Let me know if you run into any other problems.

Tip:
Set display_errors = On in PHP.ini. That makes it easier to debug