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I have an old compaq presario that i want to do up and run as a server.How do i host webspace with it? Can anyone help me!!
What is your level of experience with that kind of thing, Dave? I don't want to talk down to you, so it would be helpful to know what you already know.
At a minimum, you will need these things:
1. An operating system. This can be any Windows NT or Linux/Unix based operating system. If choosing NT, it would be preferable to use a server version of Windows.
2. An Internet connection. A residential (i.e. DSL or cable) connection can work. Some residential ISPs block incoming server ports, though. If your ISP does this, you won't be able to host whatever services require the blocked ports.
3. Web server software. Server versions of Windows have this built in - it's called IIS. Workstation versions do not, but you can install a limited version of IIS or a third-party web server like Apache.
4. Knowledge of how to set up your web server software of choice. This will be the most difficult, depending on your level of experience, becuase it integrates many different area of knowledge. But, if you can get an operating system and web server software installed and running, you're half-way there.
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Dave, based on the four points in my last post, why don't you think about which point you are at and ask questions specific to that. If you already have an operating system up and running, for example, you probably don't need much help with #1. You might need help with #3 and #4.
So, let us know where you are and what specifically you need to know.
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I am at glasgow university studying computer science but havent done any server hosting. I have good computing knowledge.
So windows web edition would be a good os maybe?
I have bt adsl broadband 1.1mb
I think its the fourth part i need most help with
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Windows server would be a good os because it has a web server built in. You can get a free time-limited evaluation copy here.
Since you're studying computer science, you will probably have to learn Unix at some point. Because of that, Linux might be a good os for your web server. It's free, for one thing.
If you go with Windows, you'll be using IIS (internet information services), the built-in Microsoft web server. If you go with Linux, you'll probably be using Apache. Either way, post back once you have the operating system up and running and the software installed. Plenty of help to be had with that :)
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I have order the download but theve not sent the link yet.
When i get the download installed what is the next course of action?
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"Windows server would be a good os because it has a web server built in. You can get a free time-limited evaluation copy here."
Thats what you said so im downloading the evaluation copy just now.
Then what?
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Install it?
You are going to have to do some of the work here yourself. If you really need step by step instructions on every single step this is not going to be a very useful learning process for you. Why don't you read through the documentation that comes with the CD - there should be a readme on the CD at least - and get an idea of what is involved. Then, if you have specific questions, post them here.
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I know how to install a cd lol!
ive installed it and its up and running.Where should i go from here?
ps can i run my server through a network cable with my higher end computer to run it through my broadband connection?
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Run the manage your server wizard and add the Application Server role. Despite its name, this is the web server - IIS. Read the documentation associated with this role. In particular, read the "Internet Information Services 6.0 Administrator Guide". You can get to this by clicking the "review the next steps for this role" link in the manage your server wizard.
You can use your higher end computer to connect the server to your Internet connection. You would use ICS (internet connection sharing) for this. However, I don't recommend it. A better option would be to buy and use a broadband router.
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I cant do this untill i get my network card. I ordered it 2day so should have it by next week.
Its the only way just now i can get access.
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right got it installed. Whats the best move now. Ive got internet access on the server now too
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Yay :)
Did you add the Application Server role and read through the IIS documentation? I would recommend that as a next step.
After that - set up a website in IIS and play around with it. There's no teacher like experience.
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Thank you for all your help.I will play around and if i get majorly stuck i will post again.
Thank you again!
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Sounds good. You may want to start a new topic if you have any future questions. I will be tracking this one, but I doubt many other people will.
Good luck and have fun :)
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Sorry to be a pest so soon but im so confused. Can you give me any pointers into what to start with?
Ive made a basic website and put it in the web site directory. Im a bit lost on what to do next and the help file is confusing!!
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Can you be a bit more specific? What do you want to actually do?
First of all - can you view the website? If you can, there really is no "next step". Just pick a task and learn how to do it. Until you have a goal, I can't really advise you how to reach it :)
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Sorry, i know im being annoying.
Right,
I have made a site,its hosted on an ip address just now. Ive set it up and it looks like it works.I type the ip into my browser on my high end computer and i can view the page. I phoned a friend and he tried to access the ip address in the same way but it just times out. I think it might have something to do with the fact that my internet connection is through my highend comp and the server is connected to said computer through a pci network card.
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You are correct about the reason why your friend cannot access the website. To make your web server accessible from the Internet you would need to set up port forwarding on the "high end" computer. Post a new topic if you need help with this. It's a fairly common thing to do, and you should get plenty of help with it quickly.
Because websites are almost always accessed by name rather than ip address, you might want to consider spending a few dollars to register a domain name. Then you can learn about configuring name-based virtual hosts, which will be a more realistic learning scenario.
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Once i know that i have it all working im going to register a domain name.Thanks again for all the help
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great info...
both of you have much patience...
sorry to barge in..I am at same pos as Dave..setup ms server 2003 enterprise..created site..see it fine, however friend can't..virtually identical hardware setup.
my end goal is a little higher, to host multiple sites..registered to different domains, some TLD's such as .com/.net and others ccTLD such as .ca/.co.uk
i agree with jimminy that server should be connected to adsl directly, my problem is my adsl modem won't install under 2003
wish you luck..:)
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