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Uniform Server
Introduction
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There is no need to read this page you can jump straight to installation. However, if you would like an insight into the Uniform Server concept read on.
What makes the Uniform Server package unique is its ability to run from any folder on any hard drive this includes a USB memory drive. You can move the folder to any other location and the servers still function correctly. Let me explain why this solution is so elegant.
Problem
When installing a standard windows program you need to specify an absolute path for example a fixed hard drive letter (e.g. C, D, E etc) and a named folder (installation programmes use defaults if none specified). The installation process creates references (short cuts etc) that point to this folder in addition may set parameters in the windows registry. Other elements installed can be shared with other programmes. This program will access the registry and other shared locations for correct operation. The only way to change these references is by uninstalling and reinstalling the program to a new location. Move or rename this folder manually and the program will stop working.
Solution
Apache and MySQL are Unix programs ported to windows hence they use initialisation files (text files) and not the registry. The Uniform Server team has used this to great advantage in overcoming problems mentioned above. In addition, they use a virtual disk to run the servers. If you currently use drive W: (default for Uniform Server) you can select an alternative and run the servers from there. Now that is powerful and why I like Uniform Server.
Myth
It uses a large amount of memory to implement the virtual disk. Wrong it uses a very small amount of memory. The misconception I have seen mentioned on the Internet is that Uniform Server is loaded into and runs from a virtual RAM disk it does not.
XP, DOS and BAT
XP is a pretty user interface (OK it is a little more complex than that) just below the surface are a myriad of other goodies like the world of DOS and batch files. Batch files are text files containing DOS commands they have a file extension .bat Never seen your file extensions! Turn them on, no not that way try this: open Windows Explorer
Tools > Folder Options > View > (Un-check) Hide Extensions for known file types
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little cog symbol Note: The cog is also shown for .cmd file extension. These command files are enchanced XP batch files. |
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To run a batch or command file double click
on its name or icon. Note: For backward compatiblity with older OS (Win95 Win 98) use .bat and do not use XP specific commands. |
Batch files may be run from other batch files or from the command line. Ok so what has this to do with Uniform Server the answer is virtual drives.
Creating a virtual drive
All physical or virtual drives are assigned a letter A to Z. Drives letters A and B are reserved for floppy drives (now becoming extinct), C drive normally holds XP (or other operating system), D drive for CD’s, plug in a USB memory stick and it will be assigned the next letter E in this case. That leaves F to Z for any other assignment Uniform Server uses the letter W because it is unlikely to be used even in a large system eith many drives.
A virtual drive acts and feels like a real drive in reality it does not physically exist it is a mapping to a real device such as a memory stick, part of internal RAM or more importantly a folder on a real drive.
The DOS command SUBST that performs this mapping looks like this:
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There are numerous DOS commands lets focus on how to use this one.
Using SUBST
The following quick tutorial shows you how to use the SUBST command. If you have never used a command window or batch files you learn this as well. Just follow the steps. I make two assumptions you know how to use windows explorer to create a folder, copy and move files and how to use note pad.
Command Window
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Batch files
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Dreaded long path names
The above example was contrived in the real world the folder you want to assign
would normally be deeper down in your folder structure. Typing such a path
is a choir however if you run a batch file one folder level up from the folder
you wish to assign and use only the folder name in the path a batch file
will automatically create the full path. Take a look at this example
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Conclusion
The real reason for writing this page to dispel the notion that Uniform Server is loaded into memory before it can be run. Not true the programs are stored on hard disk or memory stick. When the servers run they use memory like any other software. All Uniform Server programs are self-contained requiring no special installation or registry entries. A virtual drive creates a reference to the real location of these programs and pretends to be a different drive.
Where to next
Enough of this lets install! Uniform Server
