How to build a website on a home server pc?

[Archman]

Hello,

I was hoing someone could point me to some concise and simple info on how to setup a website that allows for forums, and is easy to maintain.

I have the hardware needed, but what I require is software to setup a website... nothing fancy, just clean and simple that I can tie PHP ICalendar into.

What would I need to set up a site on my own server? Apache or Microsoft Internet Information Server, which is better? I realize I would require a DNS hostname, among other things as well.

I realize that this will take considerable time, and the learning curve won't be too bad... used to do sites years ago in html.

Thank you

 

[MegaVovaN]

Apache, hands down.

Basically, you install Apache, PHP, MySql, (whatever else), and install your forum software. Done!
For the Domain Name, I am unsure how to point top-level (i.e. megavovan.com) name to your computer, but you can use no-ip or Dynamic DNS services. They have a program that will update adress like mysite.no-ip.info with new IP of server as soon as that IP changes.

https://www.dyndns.com/
http://www.no-ip.com/

 

[DaTT]

marked for later use.

 

[Bulldog13]

http://www.aboutdebian.com

Instructions for doing it on a debian box.

 

[Cheetah8799]

If you go with popular Linux distro, it will have built-in packages for Apache, PHP, etc. That will cut down the learning curve by a LOT assuming you don't need a custom compile of PHP or something.

 

[Aikouka]

One thing to note is that DynDNS.org updating can generally be handled by your router. I know mine updates my DynDNS.org entry for me on any IP change.

The process is fairly simple overall. Just make sure you install things in a decent order (i.e. I'd do Apache before PHP ). I know back when I worked with Apache 1.3, it required some editing of the config file to get PHP to work (mainly that you had to tell Apache that .php files were supposed to be handled by the PHP application). I don't know if Apache 2.0 has simplified this process at all as I installed Apache 2.0, PHP and MySQL, but haven't done much testing with their integration on my new server PC.

 

[robphelan]

also, check sourceforge.net for free utilities - eg: I use the free Coppermine photo gallery and it works great. I wouldn't doubt there's something there for forums.

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: robphelan
also, check sourceforge.net for free utilities - eg: I use the free Coppermine photo gallery and it works great. I wouldn't doubt there's something there for forums.

http://www.phpbb.com/

 

[Archman]

Thank you for the help and info

I followed this simple tutorial on Boutell.com of how do I setup a webpage at home and it really got me up and running.

I used Apache and Dreamweaver to get a very rudimentary webpage up and running on my server.

I am looking at PHP, and MySQL, because that free phpbb forum software at least needs MYSQL or PHP.

More reading and learning for now

 

[MegaVovaN]

It needs Mysql which is a "module" to PHP which runs on Apache.

 

[Archman]

I found a great tutorial online at Webmasterstop.com on how to install Apache, MYSQL, PHP, etc. I've followed the tutorial to the letter, but have run into an issue with the php installation page and can not get to the last screen as the author has posted.

I have run into a page that says:

"Forbidden

You don't have permission to access /php/php.exe/phpinfo.php on this server."

I've followed everything exactly as stated from page one... any tips or ideas?

Thank you

The fix was to install some extra code:

<Directory "c:/server/php/">
AllowOverride None
Options None
Order allow,deny
Allow from all
</Directory>

Made a huge difference!

 

[Archman]

Okay, so I've built my webpage, and gotten a free domain name, mainly to test things out. I am ready to purchase a domain name that I want now.

So if I purchase www.EXAMPLE.com do I need anything extra to point that domain name to my server running at home?

This may be a simple question to you, but I just wanted to make sure I was not making any mistakes

Thank you

 

[Archman]

Any good freebie DNS software out there?

 

[jlbenedict]

Originally posted by: Archman
Any good freebie DNS software out there?

BIND

 

[Archman]

Thank you jlbenedict