Directing domain name to web server

[naz85]

Hello everyone,

I have recently installed apache on my computer and have successfully uploaded a website. It can be accessed through my ip address.

I have also registered a domain name. I dont know how to direct my domain name to my apache server. Do i change the nameserver on the registars site or do i use webforwarding?

Any help will be appreciated thank you.

[jdMorgan]

Do not use "forwarding" if you care about getting your site ranked in search engines; Forwarding is not how it should be done for a 'serious' Web site.

You need to configure your DNS [rscott.org] by setting up the DNS Zone file on the nameserver to provide the domain-name-to-IP-address mapping using an "A record."

This assumes that you have a fixed IP address, and that your ISP permits you to run a server using your internet connection. Many do not. If your ISP is one that does not, then consider carefully, as it is easy to detect a server, and they *will* figure it out.

Should you decide to risk it, be sure that you have another ISP you can use if they disconnect you; We had one member here who could only get internet service from one company in his area. When they discovered him running a server and disconnected him, he had no internet service at home any more...

If you do not have a fixed IP address, then you will need to use "dynamic DNS" to maintain the domain-name-to-IP-address mapping dynamically. While this is OK for a 'play' server, it is not advisable for a revenue-generating site.

If you are planning to do business on the Web, then forget about home hosting: Consider that you'll need to monitor the server 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, maintain cooling, find and install all software security updates, and make daily backups; Hosting fees for professional service are well-spent, and the cheapest hosting will cost you the most over time.

Jim

[naz85]

Hi Jim, thanks for your reply.

My isp does allow me to run a webserver. My site at the moment is just a tester to see if i could get the whole thing working myself.

I will definetely use a web hosting package once ive got my test site working correctly as i will be doing business on my domain name. Ill have a go at changing the dns and report back if i have any problems.
Thanks

Nishat