How to set up a Web Server?

[JJChicken]

I bought a domain name a few weeks back and want to use my computer as a web server because web hosting fees are ricockolous!

I hear "Apache" being thrown around, but I'm pretty much clueless. Would anyone know some good online resources for me to look into? I want to have a content section which allows comments to be posted and run a vBB forum as well.

Also, should I install Linux because they are better for servers?

 

[JJChicken]

Also, does "Full DNS control and management" mean I can use my domain with my own web server?

I'm thinking of transferring to Google's domain system, hopefully my current domain registrer lets me do this.

 

[deaner]

Yeah an Apache server with Linux, if comfortable at a level with Linux, is actually quick, easy & manageable. This is my preference, but I know others will have other idea's and thoughts. I have done this in both Fedora and Ubuntu. In the end choice and ease for what I needed this for, made my decision easy...

 

[heymrdj]

What are you hosting? There's no way that standard 1GB hosting for your run of the mill personal sites costs more than the power bill for your computer. I pay 25$ a month for a 20GB space 600GB transfer VPS server, my own SSH Debian Linux server. I'm soon going to pay 59$ a month for a dedicated server with 160GB space, and 2TB of transfer.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: heymrdj
What are you hosting? There's no way that standard 1GB hosting for your run of the mill personal sites costs more than the power bill for your computer. I pay 25$ a month for a 20GB space 600GB transfer VPS server, my own SSH Debian Linux server. I'm soon going to pay 59$ a month for a dedicated server with 160GB space, and 2TB of transfer.

I'd like to know where and with who .


What do you have available to you? Are you going to setup a VM machine on your desktop, or do you have a separate box?

If you want something small, I can set you up web hosting for a few bucks a year if you are interested, PM me .

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: heymrdj
What are you hosting? There's no way that standard 1GB hosting for your run of the mill personal sites costs more than the power bill for your computer. I pay 25$ a month for a 20GB space 600GB transfer VPS server, my own SSH Debian Linux server. I'm soon going to pay 59$ a month for a dedicated server with 160GB space, and 2TB of transfer.

My current provider is going to charge me $120 a year just for domain parking ><

I've asked them to release my domain so I can buy it with google domains for $10/yr.

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: heymrdj
What are you hosting? There's no way that standard 1GB hosting for your run of the mill personal sites costs more than the power bill for your computer. I pay 25$ a month for a 20GB space 600GB transfer VPS server, my own SSH Debian Linux server. I'm soon going to pay 59$ a month for a dedicated server with 160GB space, and 2TB of transfer.

I'd like to know where and with who .


What do you have available to you? Are you going to setup a VM machine on your desktop, or do you have a separate box?

If you want something small, I can set you up web hosting for a few bucks a year if you are interested, PM me .

I looked at your link in your sig and its quite affordable. RIght now I just want to test out my site and build up content and learn about running web servers, but if it becomes a serious venture I might take up your offer.

I might buy another computer, a good reason to buy some hardware

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: deaner
Yeah an Apache server with Linux, if comfortable at a level with Linux, is actually quick, easy & manageable. This is my preference, but I know others will have other idea's and thoughts. I have done this in both Fedora and Ubuntu. In the end choice and ease for what I needed this for, made my decision easy...

Would you know any how-to websites for this? My googling fails me

 

[JJChicken]

Look how BS my current provider is:

http://www.webcentral.com.au/websitehosting.php

$40/mth just for 200MB server space

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: Barack Obama

Originally posted by: deaner
Yeah an Apache server with Linux, if comfortable at a level with Linux, is actually quick, easy & manageable. This is my preference, but I know others will have other idea's and thoughts. I have done this in both Fedora and Ubuntu. In the end choice and ease for what I needed this for, made my decision easy...

Would you know any how-to websites for this? My googling fails me

google harder

This guide makes it VERY easy if you follow it exactly. You will have a very well working web server on Cent OS.


http://howtoforge.com/perfect-...centos-5.2-ispconfig-3

 

[ViviTheMage]

Originally posted by: Barack Obama
Look how BS my current provider is:

http://www.webcentral.com.au/websitehosting.php

$40/mth just for 200MB server space

WHAT, you do NOT use that!! hahaha

Granted, it is in AU isn't it?

 

[JJChicken]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage

Originally posted by: Barack Obama
Look how BS my current provider is:

http://www.webcentral.com.au/websitehosting.php

$40/mth just for 200MB server space

WHAT, you do NOT use that!! hahaha

Granted, it is in AU isn't it?

Its such a rip-off. I only got my domain from them because they (at the time) were the providers for Australia's largest forums so I thought they had good credibility: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au - its bigger that AT!

Thanks for the link in your earlier post

 

[heymrdj]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://corenetworks.net/dedicated/">https://corenetworks.net/dedicated/</a> One dedicated server place with excellent reviews.

http://www.steadcom.com/ Where I currently get my VPS from. But i know the owner personally so I get a smidge more discounts.

www.freewebspace.net Join up, post your request in the paid hosting section, and web hosters will fight for your business. I use them all the time to get rock bottom server prices and customer service. I'm around there as Heymrdj, used to be a webhost, as Revolutionary Host, US division of RTG Lynx. Now I just do web consultation (get people hosts, help them with website building, administration, getting their servers provisioned ect). I'll be glad to help ya

 

[ViviTheMage]

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au is tiny compared to AT!

good luck though Let me know if you need any more help!

 

[deaner]

Originally posted by: Barack Obama

Originally posted by: deaner
Yeah an Apache server with Linux, if comfortable at a level with Linux, is actually quick, easy & manageable. This is my preference, but I know others will have other idea's and thoughts. I have done this in both Fedora and Ubuntu. In the end choice and ease for what I needed this for, made my decision easy...

Would you know any how-to websites for this? My googling fails me

Here you go..

http://www.linuxhomenetworking..._The_Apache_Web_Server

 

[Absolution75]

I get 17TB of transfer and 800GB of disk space for 5$ per month + 10$ domain charge per year from dreamhost.com. No way I'll even come close to using that, especially since its a shared hosting provider.

Should have shopped around a little better =p

 

[MrColin]

If you're looking to learn about linux server admin I have/reccomend installing either CENTOS or Ubuntu server on a spare computer. Overall, I find ubuntu easier to manage, CENTOS has a reputation for being more secure. Each can be locked down pretty hard though. The easy to use installers for each offer the option to install Apache webserver and others you might want like MySQL, Postgresql, etcetera.

OpenSolaris might be a good option for you too. Once you get the knack of administering the box using only ssh and no GUI, and no web admin tools (ie phpmyadmin, webmin, cpanel, etc) you will ultimately be better off not having those packages on your server. I reccomend aiming for totally headless (no monitor or keyboard) operation after the initial installation. The communities supporting linux distros at their respective forums are usually pretty good unless they feel you haven't done your due investigation before posting questions. The exception would be debian forums, those guys are not very noob tolerant IMO.

Once you get the knack for that you will better appreciate what the commercial hosting companies are offering.

Good resources:
distro specific forums
http://httpd.apache.org/docs/
google "howto" <nameofpackage> <nameofdistro>

 

[skyking]

Does hosting a server violate your ISP's TOS?
Is port 80 open and routed through to your IP?
Do you have a static IP?
Those are the first questions to ask. I've hosted several domains on business plans on their own server, and it is always easier to put it in a rack somewhere else.

 

[her209]

I get 17TB of transfer and 800GB of disk space for 5$ per month + 10$ domain charge per year from dreamhost.com. No way I'll even come close to using that, especially since its a shared hosting provider.

Should have shopped around a little better =p

Wow, that seems really cheap.

 

[JackMDS]

Yeah and I pay $3 a month for this.

http://www.dixiesys.com/hosting_web.php

I really ""hate"" this How dare they charge $3 a month. :sneaky: I rather get 3 more one $ burgers, and die at early age form High Blood pressure, and Cholesterol clogs.

On the Bright side, keeping a server 24/7 in NYC probably cost $20 a month in ConEd bills.

.