Setting up a Website on my own server

[johnakister]

I am building my own server and have my own website I would like to know how
to use my server to host my website.And what i will need to do this.
At the moment i have my site hosted with a hosting co but would like to change.

[DrZaius]

Hi johnakister,

If you are planning to host your website off of a DSL or Cable connection then check out DSL/Cable Webserver for all the information you need on how to setup a server. More detailed information on larger server setup, security, and maintenance can be found at ServerWatch.

It all depends on how many hits you expect your site to receive. If it will be a small site then you can run it off a dedicated cable line and a decent system (make sure to have lots of RAM). If you expect a lot of hits then you should consider keeping your host or finding a better one, as T1 lines and big servers are expensive.

Also, for building your own server, I highly suggest running Linux or FreeBSD as the OS, especially with all the security problems Windows has had lately.

Hope that helps.

[HAL9000]

And don't forget to check with your ISP that they allow you to do this. I usually forget this point as my ISP almost encourages it, but some of them don't allow it in their service contracts.

[Charliey]

HAL, what isp do you have? i want one that encourages servers.

[HAL9000]

It's from my local cable company (Access Communications). As far as I know, they get their feed from Sprint.

[Charliey]

Thanks, i just wanted to know out of curiosity. Here in newmarket, theres Sympatico high speed (i have HSE), @Home, lots of local isp reselling bell's high speed, and another interesting company, Internet Lake Simcoe, which has something called ipDSL, it offers 4meg up/4meg down, for only $23/month, but you need a second dedicated line from bell, so it costs about the same as HSE or @Home, but the speed is better, and the connection to the itnernet is right here in town, not in california or something. But theres huge setup costs ($300-$400, im not quite sure)

more info: http://www.ils.net/

[mofo]

Can your ISP find out your running a server if you don't tell them? how?

[HAL9000]

Heavy traffic to/from your IP address is a good indication. Then all they have to do is type your IP into the address bar and bang, there's your web page.

[mofo]

so if i setup www.whatevername.com for personal use and do not create any significant traffic, chances are they'll never know and i can save the $10 a month i was paying for hosting..? kewl!

[glc]

mofo: it's not quite that easy - there is the DNS issue.

[mofo]

I was reading this on http://www.dslwebserver.com/ they talk about writing your own zone files