Want to host my own webpage

[pmrphs2002]

Hi all,
I know Linux is powerful as a server....using apache? Anyway, I want to host my own Website...I have Mandrake 9 and a broadband connection. Can somebody try to walk me through the process? Or is it too difficult for a n00b to try? is it possible to use your IP address, or do you need to register a domain name?Thanks in advance,
Pete

[wapcaplet]

I haven't done any web hosting myself with my Linux box yet, but I can answer a couple of your questions.

Before doing anything, it would be a good idea to research issues of security. Mandrake's website has a big section about security tips and recommendations, to make sure your machine is strongly protected against potential intruders (a good idea, especially if you're going to be using it as a public web server). Check into this before you do anything else!

Apache is probably the best web server software to use (something like 60% of websites worldwide use it). It's pretty easy to set up, and is quite powerful.

As for your domain name... (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this; I'm no expert) - you can use your IP address, and people can connect to you by putting http://123.456.78.9:80/ (or whatever your IP is, possibly followed by the :80 for port 80, web server). If you decide to purchase a domain name, like www.whatever.com, you can assign that name to be directed to your IP address. This is probably the way to go, since it'd be a lot easier to remember :)

Oh yeah, and this does assume that you have a static IP. I know some cable internet providers give you a dynamic IP, which *may* change, but most of the time it is likely to be the same (mine's been the same for 2 months, even though it's DHCP). I've heard of ways around the dynamic IP thing, but I can't really help you much there.

Search google and other documentation sites for HOWTOs on the web serving subject; I'm sure you'll turn up more detailed info. Apache comes with quite a bit of documentation on how to use it, too.

Hope this helps!

[pmrphs2002]

Thanks Alot!!

[Can O' Beans]

I just setup a test site for myself. I'm on Roadrunner cable, with a dynamic IP.

I used no-ip.com (or was it .org) and they give you a FREE yourname.no-ip.org address that works with your dynamic IP. I then jsut setup a quick Apache server.

[baldguy]

You might want to check with your ISP about hosting web sites. I'm not sure, but I think road runner frowns on you hosting a site from your home machine. They also might provide a service where you can upload your web pages.

[Radar]

Originally posted by baldguy
You might want to check with your ISP about hosting web sites. I'm not sure, but I think road runner frowns on you hosting a site from your home machine. They also might provide a service where you can upload your web pages.

You can redirect to a non standard port and have apache listen there instead to fool rr.

[pl1ght]

Originally posted by Radar
You can redirect to a non standard port and have apache listen there instead to fool rr.


Thats one of the main reasons i dropped RR. They had great speeds, i wont complain, but they were very restrictive when it came to hosting anything.

Earthlink has extremely lax TOS. They allow you to host whatever you want, cable or dsl service, and will give you a static IP if your on DSL for like an extra 15 bucks. A great alternative if you really want to do some webhosting etc.