Hosting my own server on a fixed IP & Broadband connection

Just Need some quick pointers, will buy text latter

[centime]

Hi All

Thing is I want to try hosting

1, A web server

2, Microsoft exchange server for outlook web access.

I started by thinking I had a pretty good idea how to do this, alas,,

Questions

1, if you've got fixed IP, shouldn't web browsers be able to find your server by typing in the IP, even if you don't have a domain name, or dns records with a hosting company. The fixed IP are granted by the broadband/phone company

2, should we need to get dns records created for our fixed IP,

3, Should the broadband supplier have created dns records for the fixed IPs

Cheers

[txbakers]

Hi.

Here are some answers:

1)Yes. If you have port 80 opened on your firewall, and you have setup a website for people to find when they enter the IP address in a browser. You need to configure the IIS manager to do this.

2)Yes. DNS makes it easier for people to find you, and you can host multiple websites on the one IP address. Again, you'll need to configure the IIS manager to read the DNS and host multiple websites.

3)NO. The IP provider has nothing to do with DNS records. You'll need to register a domain name, and then edit the zone files to point the new DNS name to your IP address.

[beesticles]

I host email and my blog from home over my DSL line. It's a good solution if it's not critical (there's countless reasons why you shouldn't do this for anything important).

Answers to your questions:

1, Yes
2, Yes, if you want a domain to point at your IP address
3, No, do this with your domain name registrar

[centime]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the answers, your answers are what i expected,

The problem I'm having is that

1, When I try to connect to the fixed IP address from outside the network, say from any net cafe or external internet connection, the connection fails with a dns error.

2, When I try to connect to the same fixed IP from within the office network, it connects just fine.

[beesticles]

I'd check whether port 80 is open to the outside world. Even if your firewall has it open, your ISP may be blocking it.