How to restrict application distribution to a group of users only via Apple AppStore?

Question

I\'m a first time iPhone application developer and I\'m developing application for my client who wish to distribute this application to a group of people related to his business

Answer 1

1. If we go with Standard program, how can we restrict application to be visible via some AppStore link ONLY and we will send that link to our users via email.

It is very simple: You can not. You can either manually distribute the App through AdHoc distribution (for this you will need the UDID of every single iPhone the app will be installed and afaik the the license runs out every year and needs to be renewed) or post it to the AppStore publicly but restrict access to your application by using an authentication within the App itself.

2. If we go with Enterprise Program, can we do a simple setup over our Apache+PHP+Linux environment i.e. without involving MS Exchange server.

Afaik I think this should be possible as you basically are just doing a huge AdHoc distribution, but without Exchange Server it might get a pain as you will probably also need the UDID. Yet honestly I never took any closer look at this program.