Your own web server for free !

Stuartbe · 12-02-2004, 19:34

How to run your own web server for free --

First you need to make sure that all of the windows security updates
are installed and that you have a firewall and antivirus software installed.
This is VITAL to the protection of your system and can not be overstated.
If you do not know what a firewall or antivirus package is I dont recomend
that you proceed further.

The next step is to download a web server - there is a very good free
one at http://www.aprelium.com . Once you have downloaded the
software and installed it( there is a free support forum should you need it)
you then need to have a way that people can find your web page.
You can do this for free at www.no-ip.org . Register and choose a domain
name. You can even use your own for a small fee. Once you have registered
you will be able to download the no-ip client. This small program will update
the no-ip name servers when your ip address changes. I have several accounts
set up with them so I can offer help with the the setup of the software.

You now need to make your site available, depending on your firewall this is
done in diferent ways but all you need to do is allow incoming packets to
port 80. If you have a router you need to create a port mapping to the
computer that is running the web server. Do NOT put the web server on the
dmz as this can put your system at risk.

The web server software can be run as a service if you have windows 2000
or XP. You need to go into sheduled tasks in the control pannel. Create a
new task and browse to the abys web server .exe file. Select run at system
startup and deselect the stop after 72 hours tick box. The next time your
system is started the web server will run silently in the background. I can give
further advice on this if you need it.

The very last thing to do is to create your website. Keep the website clean and
tidy and you will get lots of hits. Dont forget that you only have a limited amount
of upload so large video's and music files are a no no. If you want to host large
files I would advise you get an account with I web solutions. They are cheap and
reliable. Further details are available at http://www.i-websolutions.co.uk

Running your own website is fun and informative but can have implications
attached to it. If you are not sure about something please please post and
ask. None of us bite and we will be glad to help.

**Paul** · 12-02-2004, 20:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartbe

...
The next step is to download a web server - there is a very good free
one at http://www.aprelium.com .

If you have Windows 2000 or XP they already have IIS don't they ?

Stuartbe · 12-02-2004, 20:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by pem

If you have Windows 2000 or XP they already have IIS don't they ?

IMO Abyss is smaller and more secure - the amount of patches that users of IIS have to keep up with is scary. I could have used IIS but I prefer abyss and apache. Much more secure IMO

Richard M · 12-02-2004, 20:48

When I read that first post I thought "Abyss?? What's wrong with Apache?" but I checked out the website and I think you made a good choice there - fast, small and minimal features to get started with a basic site.

Stuartbe · 12-02-2004, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard M

When I read that first post I thought "Abyss?? What's wrong with Apache?" but I checked out the website and I think you made a good choice there - fast, small and minimal features to get started with a basic site.

Very tasty it is... Run it without the cgi enabled and it is pretty much rock solid. I spent a week attacking it once and only found one floor that they fixed on the last release......

Though apache is better I think abyss is better for first time users !

Caspar · 12-02-2004, 21:12

I think I'll have a bash at this sometime

p.s. nice plug to I-Web solutions btw

UK1Liam · 14-02-2004, 10:18

I am running a small home "server" It's using Win 2000, with IIS (that';s gotta be patched to hell)

I did try Apache but got sick of editing the Conf file, so threw it half way through, i'm sure apache will scare off a lot of first time users with that. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty secure and very stable.

There are a few other ones, simple serve and Abyss etc, i haven't tried these.. but they probably do the same job for simple work. The best thing about hosting your own Website is that you have unlimited amount of space, all the bandwidth your ISP can take and you can post whatever the hell ya want

trebor · 14-02-2004, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartbe

How to run your own web server for free --

The very last thing to do is to create your website. Keep the website clean and
tidy and you will get lots of hits. Dont forget that you only have a limited amount
of upload so large video's and music files are a no no. If you want to host large
files I would advise you get an account with I web solutions. They are cheap and
reliable. Further details are available at http://www.i-websolutions.co.uk

Stuart, why is your upload limited when running your own web server?

willie · 14-02-2004, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by trebor

Stuart, why is your upload limited when running your own web server?

Because if you are with NTL your BW is capped

UK1Liam · 14-02-2004, 17:38

Is our BW really capped though? I heard something about it being capped to 1Gb a day, but I have often downloaded and uploaded alot more than that and heard nothing from NTL at all?

**Paul** · 14-02-2004, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Web Junkie

Because if you are with NTL your BW is capped

It has nothing to do with any "cap". If you are running a web server on your connection then the maximum speed at which others can load stuff from you is your upstream speed, which is only either 128k or 256k (or 64k ?) depending on what package you are on.

Stuartbe · 14-02-2004, 21:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by pem

It has nothing to do with any "cap". If you are running a web server on your connection then the maximum speed at which others can load stuff from you is your upstream speed, which is only either 128k or 256k (or 64k ?) depending on what package you are on.

Pem is spot on

The problem is not a cap its the upload speed (256k) on a 1mb service.

This is why I recomended hosting with I-web if you want to host music/videos or if you get more than 3/4 peeps connecting at the same time....

UK1Liam · 15-02-2004, 22:05

I only host my own site and don't get too many visitors, it works for me.

Starsurfer · 19-02-2004, 01:46

I know your trying to help and all, but wouldnt you be better of getting all the php stuff and mysql as well, for it to run stably you would need 4-5 computers for a stable setup

Stuartbe · 19-02-2004, 09:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starsurfer

I know your trying to help and all, but wouldnt you be better of getting all the php stuff and mysql as well, for it to run stably you would need 4-5 computers for a stable setup

The guide is so that users can get some experience of how a web server works and have a bit of fun at the same time. I dont think that covering php ect is the way to go on this - besides... I am no web scripter !

BTW - where do 4-5 computers come into it ?