LightTPD (Lighty) Web Server

[James Bourne]

How To Run LightTPD as a Windows Service with FireDaemon

LightTPD can be run as a Windows Service using FireDaemon. This will allow you to have Lighty start automatically at boot prior to login and avoid using various batch scripts used to control the daemon. This is how to set it up:

1. Download Lighttpd from here. In the External Sources section look for the Windows Install (no cygwin required) supplied by Kevin Worthington. The current version at time of writing was v1.4.11.

2. Install Lighttpd. Lighttypd MUST be installed into c:\lighttpd. Apparently there are workarounds for this but consult Kevin's web site for more information. Complete all pre-configuration of Lighty (eg. editing its configuration file - c:\lighttpd\etc\lighttpd.conf) before attempting the next step!

3. Install FireDaemon Pro. FireDaemon can be downloaded from here.

4. Start the FireDaemon GUI. Click on the "Create a new service definition" button in the toolbar (or type Ctrl+N) and enter the information into the fields as you see below. Obviously adjust paths to suite your installation.



Note the Parameters field. The -D option means "don't fork", the -f option determines the complete path to Lighty's configuration file and the -m determines the path to Lighty's modules directory. Supply any additional options you would normally supply to Lighty in this field.

5. Now click on the FireDaemon Settings tab. Uncheck Interact with Desktop.



6. Click on the FireDaemon Dependencies tab. Add 'lanmanworkstation' to the list of Services to depend on. This will ensure the TCP/IP and CIFS stacks are initialised before attempting to start Lighttpd:



8. That's it - you're done! Click on the Install button and Lighttpd should startup! To confirm - look for the lighttpd.exe in the process list and check the access and error logs in c:\lighttpd\logs.



Lastly point your browser at the server:



Here is the FireDaemon XML configuration file for Lighty - just download this file to your desktop (right click, Save As) then drag and drop it into the FireDaemon GUI for immediate installation! Make sure Lighty is not running and all your paths match those found in this HOWTO!

Issues ... other problems? Please post in the Public Support Forums!