Forum Moderators: mack
Thanks a lot and congratulations for the nice forum here!
Tiago Godinho
When you talk about creating a web server, are you planning to host a website(s) on your own hardware?
It is actually simple to set this up, but there are many, many pitfalls to be very wary of before you decide to go ahead.
If you are planning to use a server simply for testing out sites or application locally before you upload them to your service provider then I think this is a good idea.
First off you need to decide what server you wish to use. This will vary depending on your operating system. If you are running windows you have IIS or Apache as your main options. On Linux apache appears to be your main option.
You also need to think about networking and connectivity. On a local network this is in essence fairly simple. You have an ip address assigned to your server and you visit this from any other workstations on the network. For wide area networks or the web you need to be very careful. Make sure you only open ports that are required. Security is a massive factor when you run your own hardware.
If you are running a server for internet use then connection is very important. You need to ensure you have a connection with not only good upload speed, but also a fixed ip address. It is possible to host on non fixed (dynamic) ip's although fixed (static) addresses are always a better option.
If you are going to host on your own hardware there are a few things you really should think about.
If your site goes down you are responsible for getting the situation resolved.
You will need to ensure you secure the server, as well as the rest of your network.
You need to have a computer running 24/7.
Does your service provider allow you to run a
server on your connection.
Running a server does indeed sound simple, although there is a lot more to it than meets the eye. Today the cost of hosting is very reasonable. If possible I would recommend checking out the price and suitability of a web host before doing it yourself.
I do not want to put you off, quite the opposite. Hosting yourself can be a great learning experience. I have hosted from home in the past (currently still do) but that was more to teach myself how to administer a server.
My theory on this is. If you can host it with a web host then do so. If it is not practical to use a host then host it yourself.
Mack.
If you are planning to use a server simply for testing out sites or application locally before you upload them to your service provider then I think this is a good idea.
This is more or less the reason that I want to create a Web Server, but who knows in the future I'll start hosting my own page 24/7...? But for now I just want the server to do what you said.
I'm very motivated to start learning how to do it, but I'm fully aware of the difficulty of this to a newbie like me...Anyway I'd like to try!
My operating system is Windows.
I'd like if you'd accept to be my mentor on this! So, if possible, tell me what to do first of all? I have all the time of the world, and I'm pacient...
Thanks one more time.
Tiago
P.S. : Sorry if the english is not quite good...I'm portuguese...
If you are running Windows XP Professional there is already a web server built in. It is called IIS5. But be aware that IIS5 for Windows XP Professional is designed for users developing a Web service for home or for office use. It can service only 10 simultaneous client connections.
If you are running any of the servers (ie. windows 2000, 2003, NT) the web services are built in and can be installed from the media disk. These IIS severs can support unlimited connections, domain names and IPs. This is what you would use if going the hosting route.
All other Windows platforms, and I may be wrong here, made a personal web server available, if not on the media, at least downloadable. This went back to Windows 98. But I think they were all limited as to the max number of connections and how many sites you could host.
If you are serious about hosting, you are probably going to have to bite the bullet and buy a server if you want to keep it Microsoft native.
There are other web servers softwares available that work quite nicely with Windows. Apache and Zeus come to mind, which used to be free last time I checked (might still be).
There is also iPlanet and Sambar. You are just going to have to roll up your sleeves and get busy :-)
I have Windows XP HOME and Windows 98 SE. Probably is best to use the Win XP...so...in your opinion what's the best software to download?
Tks.
Tiago
tks
[httpd.apache.org...]
When using IIS on XP Pro, you are limited to 10 concurrent connections, which is not a problem for a development server, but it might not be sufficient for production use. Also, IIS suffers from a poor reputation from a security standpoint - Apache is far better in this regard.
Tks
Tiago
I agree with encyclo. Apache would suite your needs. It has been around for a long time and a lot of people are using it.
How do i install it...?
That's not a dumb question ;) The Apache site is rather confusing at the best of times...
Firstly, have you got the right file? Go to:
[httpd.apache.org...]
And make sure you select the one marked: Win32 Binary (MSI Installer). The current version at the moment is 2.0.52. Do not choose the 1.3 version.
Download it into an appropriate location, then double-click on it to start the installation. It's an ".msi" file rather than an ".exe", but it works in the same way.
Also, don't bother trying to install on Windows 98 - it won't run well, if at all.
Another thing to think about. It the computer runnign the server going to be the same computer used to do the development. Or are you going to move the files from your development pc to the server?
If you are going to move the files they you will want to have a look into FTP.
Mack.
I have a router with built-in firewall, I have no need to enable Win Xp firewall right?
Thanks for the help once again!
Tiago
Some orientation needed please...I want to do things right...
Tiago
I have a router with built-in firewall, I have no need to enable Win Xp firewall right?
Personally, I wouldn't bother. Again, if it is a development server, you don't need to change any firewall rules. If you want the server accessible from the outside, then you need to do some port-forwarding in the router for port 80.
Tiago
Tks and sorry...(if you're already tired of me I can go and search another forum with more people that I can annoy! =) just kidin'
Tiago
How should I start?
If the installation was a success, open a browser window and type in the address [localhost...] - if that doesn't work, try [127.0.0.1...]
If neither work, you're installation failed. If you see a generic Apache welcome page, you're in business! Then, you just need to build your site* and place it in the directory you chose as your document root.
*- OK, "just" is a bit unfair - but you get the idea ;)
Just one more thing, is there any irc channel where all you guys usually are? That would be more efficient...Tks Encyclo
Tks
