Web Servers

Adam

Hi guys,

I'm looking for a sort of "how to" on hosting websites yourself. I'll be purchasing a server and setting it all up and hosting several sites on it hopefully. But I've no experience in the area and dont know where to start, or what I need to buy etc. Are there any MUSTs on broadband connection / power supply? All and any help is appreciated!

Adam

Ziycon

Check out co-location hosting, its more reliable but you still owen the server and can load anything you want onto the server!

Adam

Hi Ziycon, thanks for that! I was considering the option as well, can you recommend anybody providing such a service?

Rollo Tamasi

blacknight and hosting365 are the only ones doing it in Ireland that i'm aware of.

as regards your original query on setting it up for yourself..
http://www.howtoforge.com/

or more specifically...
http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect_setup_ubuntu_6.06

you need:
a pc
linux if you want apache/php/mysql (this is all free)
a router
a DNS server (you can use a free service called freedns.org also)
a fixed IP is nice but not essential
you will need to port forward (ports 21, 80 for starters..maybe some more are required..)
a control panel such as Direct Admin or ISPconfig (ispconfig is the best free one)
the rest of the software you need is free and is mentioned in the link i posted above.
......
and you need to contact your own Broadband provider as hosting your own website on their lines will more than likely be prohibated.

I hosted my own final year project last year using a cheap pc, ubuntu, smoothwall firewall, a netgear router and a 3meg digiweb connection with a fixed IP.

Adam

Rollo Tamasi wrote:

blacknight and hosting365 are the only ones doing it in Ireland that i'm aware of.

as regards your original query on setting it up for yourself..
http://www.howtoforge.com/

or more specifically...
http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect_setup_ubuntu_6.06

you need:
a pc
linux if you want apache/php/mysql (this is all free)
a router
a DNS server (you can use a free service called freedns.org also)
a fixed IP is nice but not essential
you will need to port forward (ports 21, 80 for starters..maybe some more are required..)
a control panel such as Direct Admin or ISPconfig (ispconfig is the best free one)
the rest of the software you need is free and is mentioned in the link i posted above.
......
and you need to contact your own Broadband provider as hosting your own website on their lines will more than likely be prohibated.

I hosted my own final year project last year using a cheap pc, ubuntu, smoothwall firewall, a netgear router and a 3meg digiweb connection with a fixed IP.

Cheers Rollo! Can you elaborate on the legalities of hosting, how should it be done? I mean, I'm on a 4meg eircom business package, surely being a business package they can expect that web hosting could very easily be involved??

Rollo Tamasi

if you're doing this as a hobby to find out more information on the techy side of hosting and linux then that's cool but if you're planning on selling hosting or making any money out of it or providing any service for your mates then DON'T host it yourself.

It's too much bother.
The security of hosting it yourself is non existent.
You will get hacked.
You may even get sued. (data protection and all that lark)
It will probably go against the TAC of your ISP.
The response from your 'server' will be terrible as it is your ISPs upload rate that determines the bandwidth and all that kinda stuff.

But it is a great way to learn stuff. I'd go for a VPS or Dedicated Hosting with an Irish company if I was you. If you don't know much about Linux or hosting then getting co-lo is probably a step too far. There is a learning curve for this kind of thing.

Rollo Tamasi

Mirror wrote:

Cheers Rollo! Can you elaborate on the legalities of hosting, how should it be done? I mean, I'm on a 4meg eircom business package, surely being a business package they can expect that web hosting could very easily be involved??

I have no idea Mirror.
I never really looked into the legal side of what i was doing. I just did it as a project.

A few web hosters will be on here in a while, lurking for fresh blood...eh..i mean clients, they will be able to provide you that information.

Adam

Thanks again, I'll hang about for Michelle and 365's rep!

wheres me jumpa

There was a good thread on this, believe it was a sticky a year or two ago. Someone posted a tutorial and others added their tips. Good read but cant seem to find it. Wasnt geared for the commercial user though.

mneylon

Rollo Tamasi wrote:

A few web hosters will be on here in a while, lurking for fresh blood...eh..i mean clients, they will be able to provide you that information.

Nicely put

Mirror - if you are a complete newbie I'd recommend that you dabble a bit with linux on an old pc first
With a decent control panel you won't need to worry too much about the nitty gritty stuff, but you should have some idea of what's going on if you want to get into hosting in any commercial way.

What are you looking at hosting?

If you're doing anything for business you need to move it offsite where you'll have proper power and bandwidth

With regards to legalities - basically don't be dumb. If you want to host warez and mp3z you will get into trouble. If you want to do kiddie porn you will get into trouble
If you spam you will get into trouble

colm_c

Hosting something yourself is fine for an internal application that doesn't need speed of loading or a large amount of bandwidth.

You'll also have to factor in if you're going to use the broadband yourself as well? if you are you may as well not have a website - it's going to be dialup speed for anyone trying to access it!

For a hobby yes - for a business application/website no.

Co-location is dirt cheap these days, and you can go in via ssh, ftp vnc etc. as needs be.

Rollo Tamasi

wheres me jumpa wrote:

There was a good thread on this, believe it was a sticky a year or two ago. Someone posted a tutorial and others added their tips. Good read but cant seem to find it. Wasnt geared for the commercial user though.

Found it:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=92972

Have a proper look around next time jumpa.
Pull yourself together man, what will the internet people think? Huh?

wheres me jumpa

Rollo Tamasi wrote:

Found it:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=92972

Have a proper look around next time jumpa.
Pull yourself together man, what will the internet people think? Huh?

Thats the one alright, your parents must be so proud.

Rollo Tamasi

och.
both of my parents were killed by sea trout during my birth but thanks for bringing the memories back.

I hate salt water.