Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

Hi,

some questions about setting up a web scripting test platform at home -
I am in the lucky position of being able to do most of my development
work from my home office (so far having done projects in Visual C, VB,
Access, SQL Server) now i am working on an ASP project (website with
online catalogue, shopping cart and ordering) with MS Visual Interdev
6.0 which will be deployed on IIS & a MS SQL Server db.

What do I need to set this up in a way that a can test my ASP pages
(Javascript and VBScript running Server Side) from here without having
to go into the office every day? I want to avoid wasting too much time
by driving the 40 miles through city traffic forth and back every day -
also I can work after hours from here much easier. Just don't like to
waste time & petrol & give up on flexibility.


Another problem is that I only have dialup (broadband still not
available in my area() so I would prefer a solution that uses a LAN (at
least during devlopment) and is not (too) reliant on ftp / internet.

Do I need IIServer for this or is there an alternative?
Does IIServer need a Server OS as platform? Does it need a dedicated
machine?
My company has all MSDev discs & licenses its hard to find the right
one...

Relevant software already installed: SQL Server 2000
Visual Studio 6
MS Office

thanks in advance
Axel

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

"Axel" wrote in message
news:1118999401.443526.16000@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
>
> some questions about setting up a web scripting test platform at home -
> I am in the lucky position of being able to do most of my development
> work from my home office (so far having done projects in Visual C, VB,
> Access, SQL Server) now i am working on an ASP project (website with
> online catalogue, shopping cart and ordering) with MS Visual Interdev
> 6.0 which will be deployed on IIS & a MS SQL Server db.
>
> What do I need to set this up in a way that a can test my ASP pages
> (Javascript and VBScript running Server Side) from here without having
> to go into the office every day? I want to avoid wasting too much time
> by driving the 40 miles through city traffic forth and back every day -
> also I can work after hours from here much easier. Just don't like to
> waste time & petrol & give up on flexibility.
>
>
> Another problem is that I only have dialup (broadband still not
> available in my area() so I would prefer a solution that uses a LAN (at
> least during devlopment) and is not (too) reliant on ftp / internet.
>
> Do I need IIServer for this or is there an alternative?
> Does IIServer need a Server OS as platform? Does it need a dedicated
> machine?
> My company has all MSDev discs & licenses its hard to find the right
> one...
>
> Relevant software already installed: SQL Server 2000
> Visual Studio 6
> MS Office

XP Pro (and Win2K Pro, for that matter) come with IIS included. Go to the
control panel Add/Remove Programs applet, click the Add/Remove Windows
Components icon on the left, and check Internet Information Services. The
web server part is almost identical to the server version, it's main
constraint is that you can only create one virtual server (and of course the
workstation 10 connection limit applies.)

So all you need is your XP setup CD.


-Mark







> thanks in advance
> Axel
>

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

On 17 Jun 2005 02:10:01 -0700, "Axel"
wrote:

>some questions about setting up a web scripting test platform at home -
>I am in the lucky position of being able to do most of my development
>work from my home office (so far having done projects in Visual C, VB,
>Access, SQL Server) now i am working on an ASP project (website with
>online catalogue, shopping cart and ordering) with MS Visual Interdev
>6.0 which will be deployed on IIS & a MS SQL Server db.
>
>What do I need to set this up in a way that a can test my ASP pages
>(Javascript and VBScript running Server Side) from here without having
>to go into the office every day? I want to avoid wasting too much time
>by driving the 40 miles through city traffic forth and back every day -
>also I can work after hours from here much easier. Just don't like to
>waste time & petrol & give up on flexibility.

A VPN would be the best way. Otherwise, you need to configure IIS on
your system.

>Another problem is that I only have dialup (broadband still not
>available in my area() so I would prefer a solution that uses a LAN (at
>least during devlopment) and is not (too) reliant on ftp / internet.

Then you need a second computer to be a server.

>Do I need IIServer for this or is there an alternative?

There are alternatives. If you're deploying to IIS, you wnat to use
IIS to develop. It's also easiest and most compatible.

>Does IIServer need a Server OS as platform? Does it need a dedicated
>machine?

Neither. XP Pro works fine. There are limitations, such as a single
site only, but it works for development.

>My company has all MSDev discs & licenses its hard to find the right
>one...

That's why they have an index and a support group.

>Relevant software already installed: SQL Server 2000
>Visual Studio 6
>MS Office

Actually, none of those are needed, but you will likely be developing
to them or with them. Install IIS. Then develop.

Jeff

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

"Jeff Cochran" wrote in message
news:42b3b6bc.29928078@msnews.microsoft.com...
>
> Neither. XP Pro works fine. There are limitations, such as a single
> site only, but it works for development.
>

Actually you can host multiple sites on IIS:
http://www.firstserved.net/services/iisadmin.php


The only thing I would add is you can occasionally come unstuck if you are
developing on XP/IIS5.1 and deploying on Win2k/IIS5.0 or Win2k3/IIS6.0 -
there are occasional differences that can catch you out if you are unaware.

Chris

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

That is really cool. I will check this out - just had a look at it in
my XP Pro Control Panel... I wonder do I need http support for testing?
Probably yes. Are there any problems to expect with my firewall
(ZoneAlarm Standard edition)?

>(and of course the workstation 10 connection limit applies.)

Can live with any constraint as I am only developing / testing...

cheers
Axel

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

On Fri, 17 Jun 2005 16:00:06 +0100, "CJM"
wrote:

>
>"Jeff Cochran" wrote in message
>news:42b3b6bc.29928078@msnews.microsoft.com...
>>
>> Neither. XP Pro works fine. There are limitations, such as a single
>> site only, but it works for development.
>>
>
>Actually you can host multiple sites on IIS:
>http://www.firstserved.net/services/iisadmin.php

No, you can host a single site. IISAdmin lets you easily stop a site
and start another, not host two sites.

Jeff

>The only thing I would add is you can occasionally come unstuck if you are
>developing on XP/IIS5.1 and deploying on Win2k/IIS5.0 or Win2k3/IIS6.0 -
>there are occasional differences that can catch you out if you are unaware.
>
>Chris
>

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

Or alternatively if you can't get on with IIS or if you don't have XP pro
(tho quite clearly you do) you could try apache!
www.apache.org to get this

--
Jon
warpedpixel@gmail.com
Look at that dead pixel on your screen! *SLAP* Gotcha!

"Axel" wrote in message
news:1118999401.443526.16000@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
>
> some questions about setting up a web scripting test platform at home -
> I am in the lucky position of being able to do most of my development
> work from my home office (so far having done projects in Visual C, VB,
> Access, SQL Server) now i am working on an ASP project (website with
> online catalogue, shopping cart and ordering) with MS Visual Interdev
> 6.0 which will be deployed on IIS & a MS SQL Server db.
>
> What do I need to set this up in a way that a can test my ASP pages
> (Javascript and VBScript running Server Side) from here without having
> to go into the office every day? I want to avoid wasting too much time
> by driving the 40 miles through city traffic forth and back every day -
> also I can work after hours from here much easier. Just don't like to
> waste time & petrol & give up on flexibility.
>
>
> Another problem is that I only have dialup (broadband still not
> available in my area() so I would prefer a solution that uses a LAN (at
> least during devlopment) and is not (too) reliant on ftp / internet.
>
> Do I need IIServer for this or is there an alternative?
> Does IIServer need a Server OS as platform? Does it need a dedicated
> machine?
> My company has all MSDev discs & licenses its hard to find the right
> one...
>
> Relevant software already installed: SQL Server 2000
> Visual Studio 6
> MS Office
>
> thanks in advance
> Axel
>

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

Let me add a correction to that ...

http://httpd.apache.org/ to download it though it doesn't contain asp you
need an add in such as sun ASP ONE server.

--
Jon
warpedpixel@gmail.com
Look at that dead pixel on your screen! *SLAP* Gotcha!
"Axel" wrote in message
news:1118999401.443526.16000@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
>
> some questions about setting up a web scripting test platform at home -
> I am in the lucky position of being able to do most of my development
> work from my home office (so far having done projects in Visual C, VB,
> Access, SQL Server) now i am working on an ASP project (website with
> online catalogue, shopping cart and ordering) with MS Visual Interdev
> 6.0 which will be deployed on IIS & a MS SQL Server db.
>
> What do I need to set this up in a way that a can test my ASP pages
> (Javascript and VBScript running Server Side) from here without having
> to go into the office every day? I want to avoid wasting too much time
> by driving the 40 miles through city traffic forth and back every day -
> also I can work after hours from here much easier. Just don't like to
> waste time & petrol & give up on flexibility.
>
>
> Another problem is that I only have dialup (broadband still not
> available in my area() so I would prefer a solution that uses a LAN (at
> least during devlopment) and is not (too) reliant on ftp / internet.
>
> Do I need IIServer for this or is there an alternative?
> Does IIServer need a Server OS as platform? Does it need a dedicated
> machine?
> My company has all MSDev discs & licenses its hard to find the right
> one...
>
> Relevant software already installed: SQL Server 2000
> Visual Studio 6
> MS Office
>
> thanks in advance
> Axel
>

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

> Install IIS. Then develop.
Hi Jeff

I managed to install IIS on my XP Pro workstation, but I think I am
still missing something. How do I transfer my web project to my local
server? I can not get the "Add to master web" option in Visual Interdev
is there a setting in it (or the registry) to tell it where the web
server is? Do I need to install IIS first, then Visual Studio over it?
Or is there a setting in the IISAdmin snapin? Could it be a problem
with my free ZoneAlarm firewall?

Will my test pages be visible to the outside world when I am online (I
want to avoid this)?

Also, do I need to install frontpage 2000 Server extensions for working
with Visual Interdev?

I also installed the IISAdmin tool, looks cool - I think I am only
missing the connection from Interdev to IIS (the Server bit). Almost
ready to develop at home now :-)

tia
Axel

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

"Jeff Cochran" wrote in message
news:42b3939a.86470031@msnews.microsoft.com...
>>Actually you can host multiple sites on IIS:
>>http://www.firstserved.net/services/iisadmin.php
>
> No, you can host a single site. IISAdmin lets you easily stop a site
> and start another, not host two sites.
>
> Jeff

Yes, IIS5.1 can only serve one site at a time - you are correct.

For development, where you want to build the site as it would be online
(rather than in a virtual dir from the default site), the you can use
IISAmin to switch between several entirely seperate and distinct sites -
Yes, only one at a time, but nevertheless they are seperate, self-contained
sites, which IMO is what developers may find useful... which was the point
of my posting...

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

"Jon" wrote in message
news:OPJxpZFdFHA.132@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Let me add a correction to that ...
>
> http://httpd.apache.org/ to download it though it doesn't contain asp you
> need an add in such as sun ASP ONE server.
>
> --
> Jon
> warpedpixel@gmail.com

Hmmm... I certainly wouldnt develop an ASP/IIS/SQL Server site on apache
with an ASP-approximation installed. For it to work in both environments,
you would have to limit yourself to a subset of either sites features.

CJM

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

On 21 Jun 2005 02:52:50 -0700, "Axel"
wrote:

>> Install IIS. Then develop.
>Hi Jeff
>
>I managed to install IIS on my XP Pro workstation, but I think I am
>still missing something. How do I transfer my web project to my local
>server? I can not get the "Add to master web" option in Visual Interdev
>is there a setting in it (or the registry) to tell it where the web
>server is? Do I need to install IIS first, then Visual Studio over it?
>Or is there a setting in the IISAdmin snapin? Could it be a problem
>with my free ZoneAlarm firewall?

Could be any of those. Try the InterDev support groups for help in
configuring it.

>Will my test pages be visible to the outside world when I am online (I
>want to avoid this)?

Only if you allow outside useds access to your system. That's a
riuter/firewall setting.

>Also, do I need to install frontpage 2000 Server extensions for working
>with Visual Interdev?

Maybe. Check the Interdev docs.

Jeff

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

Axel wrote:
>> Install IIS. Then develop.
> Hi Jeff
>
> I managed to install IIS on my XP Pro workstation, but I think I am
> still missing something. How do I transfer my web project to my local
> server? I can not get the "Add to master web" option in Visual
> Interdev is there a setting in it (or the registry) to tell it where
> the web server is? Do I need to install IIS first, then Visual Studio
> over it? Or is there a setting in the IISAdmin snapin? Could it be a
> problem with my free ZoneAlarm firewall?
>
Yes. You need to revert to ZA 4.5 in order to be able to use Interdev with
FrontPage Server Extensions.

Bob Barrows
--
Microsoft MVP -- ASP/ASP.NET
Please reply to the newsgroup. The email account listed in my From
header is my spam trap, so I don't check it very often. You will get a
quicker response by posting to the newsgroup.

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

>You need to revert to ZA 4.5 in order to be able to use Interdev with FrontPage Server Extensions.

Ok... I don't know whether I need frontpage server extensions, do I
really need them for Visual Interdev to work? I want to develop ASP,
vbscript on the back end code (mainly for ADO) and only jscript on the
frontend (so that I can keep testing with firefox). I am not using
frontpage (for web authoring) and hope I never have to - the only
reason I installed it was the Description "Enables authoring and
administration of websites with MS Frontpage and Visual Interdev" -
maybe that was just a trap to make one use frontpage technology?

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

Axel wrote:
>> You need to revert to ZA 4.5 in order to be able to use Interdev
>> with FrontPage Server Extensions.
>
> Ok... I don't know whether I need frontpage server extensions, do I
> really need them for Visual Interdev to work?

Yes, they provide the mechanism for communicating with the web server.

Of course, you could forego most of the functionality provided by Interdv
and use it purely as a code editor. That will mean navigating to the
filesystem folder containing your asp pages and double-clicking them to open
them. No siolution explorer, no check in/check out capabilities ... but you
WILL have intellisense for editing your code ...

> I want to develop ASP,
> vbscript on the back end code (mainly for ADO) and only jscript on the
> frontend (so that I can keep testing with firefox). I am not using
> frontpage (for web authoring)

FrontPage and FrontPage Server Extensions are two diffierent things. The
Extensions can be installed without installing FrontPage itself. They can be
downloaded from here:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/e n-us/dnservext02/fpse2002win.asp

--
Microsoft MVP -- ASP/ASP.NET
Please reply to the newsgroup. The email account listed in my From
header is my spam trap, so I don't check it very often. You will get a
quicker response by posting to the newsgroup.

Re: Test Platform for ASP [newbie]

Have yet to find it necessary to do so (limit myself .... ).

--
Jon
warpedpixel@gmail.com
Look at that dead pixel on your screen! *SLAP* Gotcha!

"CJM" wrote in message
news:e$ykBOldFHA.2288@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>
> "Jon" wrote in message
> news:OPJxpZFdFHA.132@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> Let me add a correction to that ...
>>
>> http://httpd.apache.org/ to download it though it doesn't contain asp you
>> need an add in such as sun ASP ONE server.
>>
>> --
>> Jon
>> warpedpixel@gmail.com
>
> Hmmm... I certainly wouldnt develop an ASP/IIS/SQL Server site on apache
> with an ASP-approximation installed. For it to work in both environments,
> you would have to limit yourself to a subset of either sites features.
>
> CJM
>