Selecting an HTTP server port

The second screen of the installation dialog prompts the user to select an HTTP server port. The user can select any free port on the system. The installation dialog performs a quick check of likely service ports, and suggests (in the following order) Port 80, Port 88, Port 888, and Port 8888. The installer can accept the suggested value, or can select any other value before clicking "Next" on the second screen. The install program will validate any TCP port number entered by the user, before displaying the third screen.

Virus Protection and Port Blocking software can interfere with the auto-detection and suggested value. In this case, the install program may suggest or accept a service port number that is actually busy. If this happens, the HTTP server will fail to start, and the install dialog will have to be re-executed.

If the user experiences this problem, it may be helpful to inspect the current TCP service ports being used on the system. This is accomplished by executing the Windows "netstat –a" command, at a Windows command prompt. This utility lists all the service ports that are currently busy on the system, and may be useful in determining a particular service port to specify in the dialog.