creating a web server

[kcthomas]

I am going to install Windows Server 2003 Web Edition on a spare computer that i have. Would it be difficult to set up a web server that would allow me and my friends to store pictures on there? I would like to make it so they could have access to the site so they dont have to send the pictures to me... is this possible? would i have to do any coding or is this feature built in to the web server?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

That's possible, however there are better solutions.

First, do you already have the OS? If not, that's not going to be cheap.
Second, if it starts getting used a lot, your upstream bandwidth will be maxxed out decreasing the speed you get.
Third, it's just another server you're going to have to manage and take care of.

Rather than doing that, you may want to consider getting them all web hosting accounts. It sounds like this is going to be for more than 1 website, if so, contact a web host and tell them your situation. Their sales department should be accomodating and get you a discount on multiple orders.

By getting web hosting from another company, they will deal with the server, uptime, hardware, etc. They will have much more upstream bandwidth and so your connection won't be effected. Last, it's just a convenience to have another company manage everything for you.

With all that said, depending on how technically knowledgeable this is, it could be a great experience. Again, I don't know where you stand in terms of knowledge in this area, but if you've never done it then you may want to try it just to learn how things work.

 

[notfred]

His copy of 2003 Server is pirated, so don't worry about the cost.

 

[Nocturnal]

I'd just get web hosting through some place like www.dathorn.com. $13.95 a month for the basic service and they're very reliable.

 

[kcthomas]

Originally posted by: notfred
His copy of 2003 Server is pirated, so don't worry about the cost.

first - can get it from school for free actually.

second - im not to worried about the bandwidth cause it would only be for a few friends and there wouldnt be a whole lot of traffic.

third - i want my friends to be able to upload all there stuff so i wouldnt have to do anything. i would just be supplying the disk space.

 

[CTho9305]

I just use apache on my desktop and set up a free FTP server.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: notfred
His copy of 2003 Server is pirated, so don't worry about the cost.

Why can't people ask software questions in the software forum without being accused of piracy?

Most colleges can give you a wide range of software for little or no cost - and many books offer 120 day or longer trial editions of software.

Sheesh.

 

[akubi]

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: notfred
His copy of 2003 Server is pirated, so don't worry about the cost.

Why can't people ask software questions in the software forum without being accused of piracy?

Most colleges can give you a wide range of software for little or no cost - and many books offer 120 day or longer trial editions of software.

Sheesh.

because people who pay for software can always read the manual or call tech support to get firsthand information

 

[episodic]

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/default.mspx

Here is the deployment guide. If you don't want to read through all of that, I suggest getting a book.

It is possible to cause yourself all sorts of problems with a misconfigured server, not to mention you make yourself an attractive target for those who want to do bad things (hack you and such).

I'm not crapping on you, but may I suggest you look up e-rice hosting. It is very cheap, and you don't have any worries.

Eitherway, good luck.

 

[episodic]

Originally posted by: akubi

Originally posted by: episodic

Originally posted by: notfred
His copy of 2003 Server is pirated, so don't worry about the cost.

Why can't people ask software questions in the software forum without being accused of piracy?

Most colleges can give you a wide range of software for little or no cost - and many books offer 120 day or longer trial editions of software.

Sheesh.

because people who pay for software can always read the manual or call tech support to get firsthand information

Actually, you are wrong. When I was in school, we were given the OS (win2k) and Office for like 5bucks. It came on a disk with no manual and a clear note saying don't call Microsoft for support, as that was part of the agreement. Backt then I could have got Server 2000 as well for little cost. I did not get it as I had no use for it. Had I got it and wanted to know how to create a site, I would have asked a similar question as it had no docs and no support.

 

[Nocturnal]

Yes, I'm able to get Windows 2003 Server Enterprise free through my school. As well as WinXP, and a few Office applications.

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: episodic
I'm not crapping on you, but may I suggest you look up *insert inexpensive host of choice here*. It is very cheap, and you don't have any worries.

Would echo the above as well.

As far as a novice approach to a very basic web server, this might be a better route.

Good luck.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: ActuaryTm

Originally posted by: episodic
I'm not crapping on you, but may I suggest you look up *insert inexpensive host of choice here*. It is very cheap, and you don't have any worries.

Would echo the above as well.

As far as a novice approach to a very basic web server, this might be a better route.

Good luck.

Another vote for DSLWebServer.com

kcthomas - If you can afford $24/yr you can get:

• Your own domain (yourdomainhere.com) which you own.
• Web hosting from a third party with 300MB disk space and 5GB a month bandwidth.
• cPanel control panel with Fantastico auto installer. You can install scripts such as blog, forums, email (POP3/IMAP), webmail, image gallery, counter, whatever you want.
• Standard MySQL, PHP, Perl and CGI support.
• No need to host from your home.
• 100% Linux goodness