How do I create virtual hosts on my Apache2 web server, Mac OS X 10.5 (client) computer?

Instructions for setting up name-based virtual hosting to identify multiple non-SSL virtual hosts (all on port 80, for example).

2-9-2010 by Tami Williams

Why

Here's why you might do this:

• You have separate test and development areas on your Web server.
• You have more than one Web site on your Web server.
• You simultaneously run different versions of Lasso on your Web server (for example Lasso 8.5.6 and 9).

Note:
• Back up files BEFORE making changes!
• I use BBEdit File->Open Hidden to open all files.
• This is what I did on my Mac OS X 10.5 (client) powerbook. I believe it will also work for Mac OS X 10.6 (client).
• Tested on Firfox 3.6 and Safari 4.0.4.

How

1. Open /private/etc/hosts:

#
# Host Database
#
# localhost is used to configure the loopback interface
# when the system is booting.  Do not change this entry.
##
127.0.0.1	localhost
255.255.255.255	broadcasthost
::1             localhost 
fe80::1%lo0	localhost

2. Add a line for each virtual host to the bottom:
   (ex. url = http://xxx.test.xxx/)

127.0.0.1	xxx.test.xxx
127.0.0.1	xxx.dev.xxx
127.0.0.1	xxx.lmc.xxx

3. Open /private/etc/apache2/extra/httpd-vhosts.conf and add all virtual hosts:

#
# Use name-based virtual hosting.
#
NameVirtualHost *:80

# for SSL
NameVirtualHost 127.0.0.1:443


# Lasso 8 runs as the default
<VirtualHost *:80>
  #Just to keep things sane...
    ServerName 127.0.0.1
    DocumentRoot "/Library/WebServer/Documents"
    
    # HAVE LASSO HANDLE .lmc SUFFIX
    AddHandler lasso8-handler lmc
    
    SSLEngine off
</VirtualHost>


# test
<VirtualHost *:80>
	    ServerName xxx.test.xxx
	    DocumentRoot "/Library/WebServer/Documents/test"
	    ErrorLog /private/var/log/apache2/test_errorlog
	    CustomLog /private/var/log/apache2/test_accesslog combined env=!nologimg
	    
	    SSLEngine off
</VirtualHost>
	
# dev
<VirtualHost *:80>
	    ServerName xxx.dev.xxx
	    DocumentRoot "/Library/WebServer/Documents/dev"
	    ErrorLog /private/var/log/apache2/dev_errorlog
	    CustomLog /private/var/log/apache2/dev_accesslog combined
	    
	    SSLEngine off
</VirtualHost>

# LassoMasterClass (lmc)
<VirtualHost *:80>
	    ServerName xxx.lmc.xxx
	    DocumentRoot "/Library/WebServer/Documents/lmc"
	    ErrorLog /private/var/log/apache2/lmc_errorlog
	    CustomLog /private/var/log/apache2/lmc_accesslog combined
	    
	    SSLEngine off
</VirtualHost>

4. Open /private/etc/apache2/httpd.conf and UNCOMMENT the line for virtual hosts:

# Virtual hosts
Include /private/etc/apache2/extra/httpd-vhosts.conf

5. To check for configuration errors and if none are found, restart the Web server, type (in Terminal):

sudo apachectl configtest
sudo apachectl graceful

6. Restart your computer.
7. Check that your Web server (and Lasso, if you're using Lasso) are working correctly. Open a web browser and go to http://127.0.0.1/ and one of your virtual hosts, ex. http://xxx.test.xxx, and, if you're using Lasso, one of your Lasso web sites.

What to watch out for

Don't skip step #5! If any errors are reported when you do sudo apachectl configtest your Web server probably won't run.

You must restart your computer in step #6 before it will see the change made in step #2 (/private/etc/hosts).

Next Step

How do I add a virtual host with self-signed SSL to my Apache2 web server, Mac OS X 10.5 (client) computer?

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