Apache Virtual Host : Details and Guide to to Set Up Virtual Host

Apache Virtual Host is quite easy to set up. Here is an article on Apache Virtual Host with theoretical details and practical guide to set up. The useful resources related to this topic is an article on Apache HTTP Server, IP-Based and Name-Based Virtual Hosting and Virtual Private Server. In nutshell, from a network perspective, there are two basic types of virtual hosting to virtualization of Internet-based services. The difference lies in the method applied by the server when a request to determine which of the services provided by it has been asked for.

Basics of  Apache Virtual Host

For running name-based web sites on a single IP address, keep in mind that one server has a single IP address. CNAMES are multiple aliases. These CNAMES point to this specific server in DNS. So our prime target to use Apache Virtual Host to host for example two domain names on a single server. Without the setup of Apache Virtual Host, it is not possible to point to the right folder of a same server.

Setting up of Apache Virtual Host

Apache Virtual Host configuration for running several name-based websites with single IP :
Hash is comment (not counted as directive), the names in DNS must be resolving to your IP address, otherwise the websites will not be publicly viewable.

# This ensure that Apache Virtual Host listens on port 80

Listen 80

# This is how Apache Virtual Host requests on all IP addresses
NameVirtualHost *:80

<VirtualHost *:80>
DocumentRoot /www/example
ServerName www.example.com

# We are adding another website using Apache Virtual Host
</VirtualHost>

<VirtualHost *:80>
DocumentRoot /www/example1
ServerName www.example1.com

# You can add other directives after this line
</VirtualHost>

Configuration with both name-based and IP-based  Apache Virtual Host directive :

Listen 80

NameVirtualHost 176.70.60.50

<VirtualHost 176.70.60.50 >
DocumentRoot /www/example
ServerName www.example.com
</VirtualHost>

<VirtualHost  176.70.60.50 >
DocumentRoot /www/example1
ServerName www.example1.com
</VirtualHost>