Want to Learn WEB Servers...?? - Tech Support Forums

omc1jz · February 26th, 2003, 10:14 PM

I have been making a few websites , where i upload them to a server and have got it fairly worked out...

But now i want to learn about setting up my own web server at home and have not a very good idea on how it all works????

What type of skills do you need to set up a web server , any programming ( i know enough html to get by)

My ultimate goal would be to setup a shopping cart type site with e-commerce facilities..

Where do i start..??

elroy · February 26th, 2003, 10:31 PM

Any old pc can be used for a server. You really need an always on internet connection like DSL or cable. If you're not familiar with Linux or don't have Windows NT or 2000 you can use Windows 98 and any server program. There are several you can d/l for free. You need to decide if you want an FTP server or an HTTP server etc.

implexant · February 26th, 2003, 10:40 PM

unless you have the cash to get a server from Dell with windows 2000 and IIS on it, i'd really suggest Apache. its cheap, easy to use, and highly configuarable. there are thousands of 'mods' availible for it. i personally preferr IIS but you'd do good to start with apache (http://www.apache.org)

-Chris

omc1jz · February 26th, 2003, 11:26 PM

So is apache a server program???

I would set up something like a 500mhz ,128mb ram and have win 98se or win xp handy...

So this server would be solely dedicated to my site...

???Cheers

implexant · February 27th, 2003, 12:06 AM

ya apache is a webserver and has mods to become a ftp, nntp, and proxy server.

the machine you just specified would be great. i'd use windows 2000 pro but xp pro would do fine.

-Chris

omc1jz · February 27th, 2003, 12:41 AM

ftp, nntp, and proxy servers.

What are the differences ,

Is it the way in wich it communicates with my host???

How does it communicate with the host....

crouse · February 27th, 2003, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by omc1jz
So is apache a server program???

I would set up something like a 500mhz ,128mb ram and have win 98se or win xp handy...

So this server would be solely dedicated to my site...

???Cheers

You need more RAM

It's cheap... get more.......servers eat up ram. I use Mandrake Linux 9.0 (it's FREE). Included with Mandrake Linux is Apache web server, mysql server, php addons, webmin, and much much more. I have two of these servers running from home.

Server 1 ---400mhz
Server 2 ---1300mhz

These are on two seperate computers and are run through a router to the internet. Nothing really on either one. But I have 50 GB of space to play with if I want

That's the nice thing about running your own server... your only limited by your hard drive space.......(and the bandwidth you can get away with using up from you ISP

)

The learning curve isn't too bad, but there is one. Keep asking questions, and I'm sure you'll have it up and running in no time.

xenon200 · February 27th, 2003, 02:01 AM

I generally advise against setting up a "web server" from a residential internet connection (ie. Cable or DSL). Especially when users are really intending for their data to be accessed by anyone, from anywhere in the world.

This simply because a residential internet connection cannot reliably serve to everyone else on every other backbone out there. I know, I personally find it irritating when people provide links to stuff that are hosted on their personal, home-based web servers - only to find that I can't access them, or if I can - the connection is absolutely brutal.

There's definately a reason why data centers emphasize multi-homed backbone connectivity for the ultimate in redundancy. I even notice that some people who house their servers in data centers with nice pipes from a SINGLE carrier often experience a lot of time during certain times of the day when a lot of people from certain places can't access their server.

If this is for keeping certain files in a single place, so you can access them from home, work, school, etc. - or simply want a setup that will allow friends and family to download miscellaneous files (pictures, videos, etc.), then go ahead - it's a potentially very cost effective solution. (keyword being potentially..

)

I know my friend tried to host a nicely sized site off of his home server a few months ago - and it was fine. Accessible most of the day, but when more than 3 or 4 people tried to view the site over his DSL connection simultaneously, things bottlenecked - and quickly. He had RH Linux and Apache, which were an excellent combination.

~x2

omc1jz · February 27th, 2003, 02:15 AM

Ahh linux scares me a little (had Nothing to do with it at all yet)
But now i see why many people choose linux , Thanks...

I will look to upgrade the ram but would like first to work out how it all works .

Cool so with your own server you have space for your site limited to the size of your h/d with bandwidth being limited from your isp..

Im understanding slowly, thanks heaps peoples....

So would i download apache and start having a look at the program or is there something else i have to learn before making a site that runs on my own server (Some type of code)..

Is the site actually made any differently from a normal site where you upload to your isp...

Is it just a folder on YOUR server , How does your isp communicate with your server ??????

Thanks again...

implexant · February 27th, 2003, 01:41 PM

first off, you do not need more RAM. whatever the basic requirements of your OS are. 128 will be fine to start out with.

as far as your connection, just stick with what you've got. you need to learn before going off on a T1

to start your hosting you will need to get DNS, www.zoneedit.com , that will host your DNS and forward all requests to your IP address. and yes you need a static IP. setup the apache web server then dump your HTML files into the home directory and your good to go.

there is no code involved. just download the win32 version of apache and run the setup file. edit the config file (you can find help here on TIMO).

post a thread in the apache forum once you start installing apache and i'm sure some more knowledgeable apache peeps will be able to lend you a hand.

-Chris