How To: Run Multiple Domains On A Local Computer

During web development, sometime you (I always) need to test with a domain name, whether inside local computer or online. This post will tell you how to run multiple domain on your local PC, without setting up a DNS server. I am using Apache 2.0.53.

Case: You want to develop a website for your-domain.com and need to test it online under certain domain name.

Solution:

[1] Create a local domain name

To differ between online and local domain, you need to create a local domain name (sub domain is okay), i.e: local.yourdomain.com

[2] Edit your hosts file

In Windows XP, the “hosts” file can be found at “C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc”. Put your local domain/subdomain there with the following order:

127.0.0.1 local.yourdomain.com

Hosts File

[3] Add a Virtual Host into your apache configuration file (httpd.conf)

<VirtualHost *:80>
ServerAdmin [email protected]
DocumentRoot “D:\path\to\your\web_directory”
ServerName local.yourdomain.com
ErrorLog logs/local.yourdomain-error_log
CustomLog logs/local.yourdomain-access_log common
</VirtualHost>

httpd.conf

[4] Done.

Point your web browser to http://local.yourdomain.com. I have a result like this.

Result

From now on, you can run multiple domain on your local PC, without the need to install DNS server.

Questions are welcome. Just leave it here and I am ready to help you.

10 Comments

  1. Hi, I hope you can answer my question about How can i manage more than one site using WordPress? do i have to download wp more than once? I already downloaded it through my Cpanel once and now i need to work on my other domains.
    thank you

  2. Oh ! thanks you very much ! I’m creating a local domain name . but I am not sure ! I hope I read a lot of posting about this topic . Thanks again .

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