Installing Latex on Apache Server (Linux/Windows)

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  • Thread starter Thread starter exequor
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    apache Latex Server
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the installation of mimetex on an Apache server, specifically addressing issues related to generating LaTeX images. Participants explore installation steps, troubleshooting errors, and considerations for server configuration on both Linux and Windows environments.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires whether compiling the CGI file in Windows would yield a valid file for use on a Linux server.
  • Another participant shares a successful installation process, detailing steps taken to configure the server and suggesting that the original poster may be facing restrictions on ExecCGI permissions.
  • A participant reports an "Internal Server Error" and notes the lack of information from the server error log, indicating potential misconfiguration.
  • One participant questions the permissions set for the CGI file, suggesting that proper read and execute permissions are necessary.
  • A later reply indicates that changing the file transfer mode to binary resolved the installation issue for one participant.
  • Another participant raises a concern about the lack of bound checking in mimetex, suggesting that this could lead to server issues if not addressed in the source code.
  • One participant mentions plans to use PHP to control input strings, emphasizing a focus on short strings for a specific application.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying experiences with the installation process, with some successfully configuring mimetex while others encounter errors. There is no consensus on the specific cause of the issues faced, and multiple viewpoints on troubleshooting methods are presented.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential server configuration restrictions, the necessity of proper file permissions, and the implications of file transfer modes on CGI execution. The discussion does not resolve the technical challenges faced by participants.

exequor
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I am trying to install mimetex on my webhosts server so that I can generate latex images similar to on this website. i have to simply get the cgi (which i have to compile). The thing is the webhost's server is running apache on linux and i run windows. I downloaded a precompiled cgi package for linux and place the appropriate file in the cgi bin; it did not work. What i wanted to know is whether or not the cgi file would be valid if i compiled the cgi file in windows?
 
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Works for me just fine. This is what I did:

1) Downloaded this:

http://www.forkosh.com/mimetex.exe/linux/mimetex.zip

2) unzip file

3) moved mimetex.cgi into my cgi-bin file

4) Uncommented the following lines in httpd.conf

<Directory /home/*/public_html/cgi-bin>
Options ExecCGI
SetHandler cgi-script
</Directory>

Step 4 will differ based on the type of configuration you have.

I can now go to this page: http://localhost/~dduardo/cgi-bin/mimetex.cgi?x^2+y^2
and it will display the latex picture.

The problem I suspect you have is that they that your host doesn't allow ExecCGI. Are you getting a prompt asking you what to do with the cgi file?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
This the error that I am getting:

Internal Server Error
The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

Please contact the server administrator, webmaster@themodule.net and inform them of the time the error occurred, and anything you might have done that may have caused the error.

More information about this error may be available in the server error log.

Additionally, a 404 Not Found error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.
 
Are you sure you have the proper permissions for the cgi file (read+execute)? Does your host allow SSH login?

http://www.forkosh.dreamhost.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20&sid=2be7b872df40ddf3826d30e833311485
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Finally I got it to work. The thing is, I use ws_ftp for uploading my files and the transfer mode was on "auto", something just told me to manually select binary and when i did that it got it to work. Thanks a lot for the help dduardo.
 
Just a note: it doesn't look like mimetex does bound checking, so potentially someone could generate a huge random string, putting the server in a loop. This is something were modifying the source and compiling it would be helpful.
 
I am planning on using php to control the input strings. And I only plan on short strings because I'm just using this for a transition table builder that I am writing in php.
 

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