Why not self host? [Archive]

netman4ttm

12-08-2003, 04:40 PM

USALUG

12-09-2003, 04:18 PM

Well, it's not rocket science, but it isn't always SIMPLE either. I've tried the e-smith product..... but didn't like it myself. I ended up with Mandrake. Installing my servers with Mandrake , it was as easy as installing an operating system. There are alot of things to learn if your going to host yourself though.

SERVERS:
Apache
MySql
PHP an ASP
MAIL servers
FTP servers
and that's not even all the servers available.

....... There are many thick books written about each server available, and just jumping into hosting your own site isn't for the faint of heart. Alot of reading, and dedication will be required. Keeping up with security issues and the newest upgrades fall on your shoulders then also, and not your webhosts.

I DO THINK it's a great learning process for any webdesigner, and it also allows for testing websites before uploading if you can set up and run your own inhouse server. I run http://www.usalug.org from my own servers, but I wouldn't just recommend EVERYONE start hosting their own site. It's much more complicated than your making it out to be. Many people could, but you definately have to weigh the cost/time factor heavily. Because if your new to hosting, your going to spend alot of time learning the ins and outs of the various servers. But if you do have the time, you can run your websites very inexpensively. Linux is free...... so are other OS/Server options, so if you have the time, it IS worth doing.

redcircle

12-10-2003, 03:34 PM

Self hosting is not rocket science.

Go to www.e-smith.org, download the iso for 5.6. Install on a Pentium 2 machine (400 MHz) add 2 ethernet cards.

You now have a secure reasonably up to date and easy to patch web, mail, ftp and Windows (via Samba) server.

Cut a deal with your telco or cable provider for 256k of bandwidth and 8 ip numbers kiss the guys in CA good-bye. OK before you kiss them good-bye make sure you can change your internet registration.

Web =
Apache, Qmail, FTP

Database =
MySQL

Languages =
PHP Perl

Very nice if you are going to be using it for a personal site. What about spam blocking, virus scanning, backups. Can that computer handle a couple thousand emails a minute? What happens when the harddrive goes when you're on vacation? I wouldn't rely on a second hand server if my website is my main source of income. Web hosting is cheap. Pay someone $5 a month so you can enjoy your vacations.

samjones

12-16-2003, 04:59 PM

hi,

im trying to set up my own server. the problem is its on a network connecting to a broadband cable internet connection via a router and all the pc's on the network have the same ip (x.x.41.221)
i need the server to have a unique ip so i can type in the ip and get the servers home page.

anyone know how to give the server a unique ip?

pc is up to spec and running windows xp with ISS for now, windows 2000/2003 if i manage to sort this out.

USALUG

12-19-2003, 03:39 PM

Depending on what OS your running..... try this.

For windows... run the command (IPCONFIG) This should tell you your machines local IP address. If your running Linux run the command (ifconfig) and that will give you a boatload of info, plus your machines local ip address.

I say LOCAL IP address, because if your running a router.... IE splitting up your cable connection, then your router is probably acting as a DHCP server and issuing local IP address's to all you computers...

So if you get PORT 80 requests to your CABLE PROVIDED ip address ...... it then must be forwarded on to your LOCAL IP ADDRESS (to whichever computer is running the webserver).

So you must set up PORT FORWARDING in your router to have all PORT 80 requests to the correct computer. This is done usually via web browser and connecting to your router and adjusting settings..... see your routers manual for information on how that is done.

HTH's

matrixuploaded

09-26-2004, 06:10 PM

How do I assign my ip address to the domain name that I registered?
Is it the company that I registered with have to do it.? or I myself can do it?
Thanks
MUL

pedstersplanet

09-26-2004, 07:52 PM

How do I assign my ip address to the domain name that I registered?
Is it the company that I registered with have to do it.? or I myself can do it?
Thanks
MUL
Just edit its dns, via the control panel

i.e

www .......... A .......... <your i.p>
ftp .......... CNAME ...... <your domain>.
* .......... A .......... <your i.p>
etc..... (the full-stops are just for spacing purposes for this message, not very good but you get the idea)

ADAM Web Design

09-28-2004, 10:51 AM

redcircle is the only one who said anything that makes any real sense as far as this post goes.

Commercial home hosting is not smart. There are too many additional variables to consider that most home hosts never do:

Server backups. Tape, CD-R, whatever. Do you have a proper setup for server backups?
Gas generators. What happens when the power goes out?
The ToS of your ISP. Are you violating the terms of service of your ISP?
ISP port scanners. Rogers, for example, has a port scanner that checks to see if large amounts of outbound traffic are being sent out from ports such as 80, 25, 110, etc.
Uptime guarantees. How can you make those? Your ISP doesn't promise it unless you get the business-class version and even then, you're looking at some heavy coin.
Bandwidth scaling. Let's say your sites grow. You need more bandwidth because yours is being constantly throttled. What do you do then? Spend $5000-$10000 a month on a T3 into your bedroom?
Equipment failures. Equipment, as redcircle pointed out, does break. What if you're not around when it happens? Or what if you don't have a spare HD/power supply/etc.?

For the amount you may save (peanuts), it's not worth it and all you end up doing is making both yourselves and the hosting industry in general look worse. And God knows the hosting industry doesn't need any help making itself look worse.