I was toying around with the idea of seeing if I could host a website. I was hoping I could get a few answers to a couple questions.

1. What kind of programs would I need to start?
2. What kind of speed(page loading and stuff) can I expect. I have a 400 mhz processor and DSL connection 200-400kbs?
3. Would I need a domain name?

I will start with these questions.

You would need a web server. Apache is good.

You would be OK on a DLS connection if you have a static IP address and you don't expect much traffic. Check with your DSL provider though about running a server on your connection.

As for needing a domain name, that depends on if you expect people to be able to get to your website by name or by IP address. If you have a fixed IP address, then assigning it to a domain name is not difficult.

If you have a dynamic IP address - ie your DSL provider leases you a DHCP address - you will need to use a dynamic DNS client on your computer and a dynamic DNS server somewhere on the Internet to map your domain name to your IP address.

-t

Where can I download the Apache? I am not sure what to search for :(

Assuming this will be a linux system, a 400mhz will work just fine. If you only have 1 domain to host, you might want to try out plesk. It is free for one domain, and will do most of the dirty work involved in setting up. Otherwise, heres the software needed (in no real order):
apache (webserver)
sendmail or qmail (mailserver)
bind or tinydns (dns server, if you plan on running your own dns)
A pop or imap server if you want to handle mail for the domain.
Perl
MySQL (if you want a database)
PHP

Your dsl connection would work fine for a site getting average traffic. I hosted several personal sites (some of which received quite heavy traffic) on dsl before and they were plenty fast.

Domain name is not needed if you are not trying to make your site known to the world. But if you plan on actually doing anything with it, and want people to be able to find it, you probably want one.

I probably missed a lot of things here, but if you have other questions, ask away.

-Dan

I hate when people post while I'm typing ;)
You can get apache at http://httpd.apache.org

-Dan

Do I have to download all those files?:eek2:

I dont suppose these types of thing have like an exe file for us ignorant fellows :D

1)You can use either apache or xitami . Apache is a bit complicated but xitami is not but its a very good program.
2)400 mhz is kick ass to host your own server.
3)No you do not need a domain name, but if you dont have on you will have to give people an ip adress instead of a www .

If you want something free i suggest you use dhs.org they will give you a domain name like name.dny.dhs.or or somehting like that.

i suggest you start out with xitami.......apache will make your head spin!


http://www.xitami.com

I have instaled the xitami, how do I actually 'upload' files?

in program files look around ther is a folder that has html files. thats where you put your html files.

add me to yur msn

skeletal29@hotmail.com


i have aim but i cant go on right now ther is this craxy bitc* who i dont wanna talk to!

apache isnt that hard anyway :)

download the binaries for the windows, i'd already try out the 2.2.28 beta (i think) .. i just download the MSI pack ... and it just a click away. (i mean its easy to install .. the hard one is to tweak the setting)

since you already download and run xitami ... i just wish your server will run happily :)

ok, I got to load my index page, and typed up my ip address and can see it, but others cannot :(

Boo Hoo.

it sounds like your ISP has an incoming port 80 block. The way around this is to specify a port in the server config and choose something like 85. your url will begin to look really ugly.

However, make sure your ISP doesnt mind you hosting sites on their connection. My ISP allows sites, but blocks port 80 so I'm using port 85 :uzi: AT&T. Heres (http://24.129.124.240:85/) my site if you want to take a look at it

As far as server software is concerned, I've used vqServer and found it to be good and easy to configure, but it takes up sapce on the taskbar. You can look into vqserver here (http://www.vqsoft.com/vq/server/index.html).

I'm currently fighting with Apache, and it is not the most user friendly software out there. Its a good mature server though.

Just my little contribution.

yea i told him the same thing and xitami is very bitch about the ports to ill help him use the osftware you suggested.