How to open own hosting?

[ray]

How does somebody host there own site from there PC?
Could people reply through my email address please?

[alchiba]

How does somebody host there own site from there PC?

The first thing to do is make sure your ISP (DSL or cable) will allow you to run a server on your connection. Many don't, such as Verizon in the US.

Second, decide whether you want to use a Windows or Linux server. I recommend Linux because Windows will make you climb the walls.

Third, read up on how to set up and administer a server. Read up on Linux, Apache Web server, FTP server and mail server operations. Get good at all of the above.

Then. . .

Purchase two PC's, a hub, and three NIC cards. On one PC install Smoothwall firewall software and two of the NIC's. Connect one NIC directly to your DSL/Cable router/modem and the other NIC to the master port on the hub. Configure Smoothwall per instructions.

Install the third NIC in the second PC and install Red Hat Linux, FreeBSD or whatever flavor you like. Configure Apache, DNS, mail servers, etc., and go through the "hardening" procedures you learned from your reading in order to secure the server. Connect the NIC to one of the ports on the hub.

Set up an account at mydomain.com, granitecanyon.org or similar so that they will provide DNS for you if you have a static IP. If you have a dynamic IP, then go to dyndns.org or some such place.

Upload your Web content to your server, set up your mail accounts, etc., for your domain.

In about three days, the DNS will be working across the Internet and you'll be ready to begin receiving visitors through your domain name.

Within 48-72 hours you'll start getting your first port scans. Within a week you'll get your first security breach from a cracker, most likely through an FTP exploit or because you forgot to disable the telnet server. Within a month the spammers will figure out how to use your box as a mail relay. Within 60-90 days you'll probably encounter a DoS attack and your ISP will shut down your account and scold you.

During all this you'll hate your site's performance and so will your visitors. You'll also hate finding out your server was down all weekend while you were frolicking at the beach.

That's about it, in a nutshell.

[SiteTutor]

 Alchiba
  Excellent resourceful reply.. Thankyou!

[ray]

I want something vary simple. Instead of using something like bravenet or yahoo to put a few files online / web site for access by different people I simply want to know how to use my PC while it is online to allow people / systems on the internet to access my files through a www. address. I am not asking for the correct way to build a professional site / server host thingy.

[SensoVision]

But Ray, alchiba write everything you need as I think and even more, the only thing you don't need is to buy more PC and install all stuff to your current machine...

[alchiba]

I am not asking for the correct way to build a professional site / server host thingy.

My suggestion in no way describes a "professional" configuration. It's a bare minimum needed to protect your machine and any others you have connected. If you run any kind of server software on your machine and it's connected to the 'net without a firewall and security measures, you're taking a big risk.  It would be irresponsible for me to say "Hah, just throw on Personal Web Server and everything's cool." It wouldn't be cool. It's really you're choice, but at least someone told you the proper way.

[mixingsoup]

There are a few programs out there that will install Apache, MySql, PHP and Perl on a Windopws Machine (and many more that will install them on a Linux machine) all these are pre-configured, so you install it, start up the server, laod your content into the html directory and use a service like dyndns.org to follow your dynmaic IP (or if you have a static IP something like mydomain.com).
This will provide you with a very basic personal server which you can serve to your friends, with basic scripting support, but NO PROTECTION, you must install a program like ZoneAlarm to act as your firewall, but they will only provide basic protection.

The program I use to setup a basic server on ym machine is PHPTriad for Windows, which works well, but I onl;y use it for development. (http://sourceforge.net/projects/phptriad/) {12 megs download} It installs a configures Apache, PHP, and MYSql on your Windows system, and has a control panel to start and stop the server. It sets itself up using the localhost port (127.0.0.1 or localhost) so that u can access it on your local machine, and when are online and the server is on, any attempts to load your IP address will load the server and what ever content you put in the dir.
If you are using a firewall (which I highly reccommend) then you will have to allow internet access to your internet port (3366 I think, can't remember).

Their are many other programs available, which can be found here:
http://www.hotscripts.com/PHP/Software_and_Servers/Installation_Kits/
For both Linux and Windows...

Enjoy...  

[jmedodd]

If you are interested in learning more about servers and what they can do for you, a great site for beginners and not-so-beginnners alike is:  
http://www.serverwatch.com/tutorials/article.php/1407961

[Andy]

Ray,

it's easy to host a few files to the web. It's not as bad as these guys make out for a small-timer who wants to play.

To block hackers you install a firewall such as Norton internet security or Zonealarm so all ports on your PC are in stealth mode. Even better, use a hardware router which you can buy cheaply these days. To test your firewall go to http://grc.com and use their sheildsup test.

To serve web pages, port 80 has to be open.

Now you need to install a web server. The best one is http://www.apache.org according to my friend but I only used http://www.xitami.com both of which are free. just download the code, install and copy the web pages to the webpages directory. Then have fun pointing your domain names at your ip address, virtual serving for unlimited web sites, log files and password-protected member areas. A great way to learn about web hosting for free.

[rosie]

There are a few programs out there that will install Apache, MySql, PHP and Perl on a Windopws Machine (and many more that will install them on a Linux machine) all these are pre-configured, so you install it, start up the server, laod your content into the html directory and use a service like dyndns.org to follow your dynamic IP (or if you have a static IP something like mydomain.com).
This will provide you with a very basic personal server which you can serve to your friends, with basic scripting support, but NO PROTECTION, you must install a program like ZoneAlarm to act as your firewall, but they will only provide basic protection.

The program I use to setup a basic server on ym machine is PHPTriad for Windows, which works well, but I onl;y use it for development. (http://sourceforge.net/projects/phptriad/) {12 megs download} It installs a configures Apache, PHP, and MYSql on your Windows system, and has a control panel to start and stop the server. It sets itself up using the localhost port (127.0.0.1 or localhost) so that u can access it on your local machine, and when are online and the server is on, any attempts to load your IP address will load the server and what ever content you put in the dir.
If you are using a firewall (which I highly reccommend) then you will have to allow internet access to your internet port (3366 I think, can't remember).
Their are many other programs available, which can be found here:
http://www.hotscripts.com/PHP/Software_and_Servers/Installation_Kits/
For both Linux and Windows...

Enjoy... 

helllllllllllllllllllppp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I recently decided to host my own sight. My knowlege is cheese holed and have done things step by step as I learn about them. If you answer me please do it in a way  like hosting for dummy's mode! I signed up with keyfocus webserver, I signed up with zoneedit for the dns thing. My nameserver change is in effect now(I contacted my domain co to check),I CANNOT FIND MY WEBSIGHT!!!!!!!!!! I have a dynamic IP(cable ) that changes every few hours-maybe that could be a problem? Maybe I need to change some settings? Do I need more software than a server program?I read your post  and dowloaded several of those programs ,but couldn't figure out what to do with them so deleted them. I use Mozilla compozer and actually was able to publish something because when I checked with the name you suggested(dydns.org) It listed my index  etc... I cannot type in my domain name and have it found . I am certain I have written something wrong. I am not really sure what my publishing address plus some paths may not be written right? Any HelllllPPPPP?

[Usawebfreebies]

It seems to me to open the hosting it is necessary to overcome a huge competition from the side of others hostings
It too is not unimportant
And such hostings now it is not not enough. 

[Allin1Joe]

If you are only going to be hosting your site, you can ignore this post.  However, if you plan on opening a hosting "company", read on

My suggestion would be to find a hosting company that offers reseller programs.  If you are going to be hosting other people's sites, hosting it on your computer in your basement is a scary way to go IMO.

There are companies out there that have plans that will charge you as you sell.  And, if you use PayPal as your payment source, there is no need to invest very much to get started.  Just the costs to host your site and getting it designed.

We will be offering re-seller plans shortly.  But, as an example, check out http://www.realwebhost.net .  They are who we resold through until recently when we upgraded to our own servers.  The admins there are very helpful and have taught me a lot.  I'll put it this way, they did such a good job, that I got my managed dedicated servers through them because I know I can trust their service and quality.

[applications-uk]

I have been reading up on serving my own site,a few here have said use firewalls like
Zonealarm,is that still possible when using a linux box as ipchains are a bit confusing.

[Page-Zone]

Running your own web server is a great idea. Just for the learning value alone. Just download Apache, install it and get your site running through it. I'd recommend doing that on both Linux and Windows (once again for the learning value). When you want the public to see it, get some kind of dns service. zoneedit.com is a good one, but there are plenty. It is a GREAT idea!