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Server Price Comments
Apache Free. You can download Very popular. As of November 2007, more
it via Link 6-3. than 50 percent of the Internet was served
via Apache.
Also runs on both Windows and Unix/Linux.
Internet Information Comes with Only runs on Windows machines, which
Server (IIS) Windows XP or Vista. may be more common in many corporate
environments.

TABLE 6-2 Comparison of Apache and IIS

• Web page development software Because intranets use the same sorts of files as
websites on the Internet, you’ll need to put content on the intranet in that format.
Unless you want to sit down and hammer out HTML code (which is certainly an
option, if you are so inclined), a better way is with an application framework such
as Microsoft Sharepoint, or other appropiate tool for your particular requirements.

Installing Apache is a matter of double-clicking an icon, but configuration is more
involved. As you might imagine, installation and configuration are beyond the scope of this
book. We recommend you check out IIS 6 Administration, by Mitch Tulloch if you are interested
in the specifics. Figures 6-4 and 6-5 show Apache and IIS in action.
The intranet in this form is great for local users, but if you have people who work from
home or are on the road and need to access the intranet, you should establish a means for
them to access it and ensure the right security measures are in place.
Likely, if they are connecting to your LAN via a virtual private network or a secure WAN
connection, they’ll be able to connect to the intranet.

FIGURE 6-4 The Apache web server is a free, open-source web server.