Private Web Server

**HB13DISH** · 14-10-2008

I had over the past few weeks some support issues with my web hosting company and now I want to have my own private server instead, as their level of knowledge seems to be very low and all the solutions came from me after researching the internet for similar problems.
I am thinking of having my own server at work and to take care of any problems myself (I am not an expert but I think that I would give it a chance). Also I need the experience as I have experimented with IIS over the past few years and I quite enjoy it.
The problem is that I want to use windows and IIS, which is going to more costly than Linux and Apache.
Reliability is not a big issue here, as the website can be off for any length of time, and I doubt if anybody will notice.
Anyway, has anybody got experience with having your own server at home or at work and what is the real cost of running a server 24/7.

***pgh13*** · 14-10-2008

Not an expert, but my disconnected thoughts.....If it isn't very processor intensive you could use an oldish laptop as the server for lower power consumption. Users' downloads speed will be limited by your upload speed (often lower than download). You can install IIS on XP avoiding cost of new OS or if you needed a server product, maybe Small Business Server would suffice?

**HB13DISH** · 14-10-2008

Thanks pgh13

You gave me something new to consider SBS
I think that to start with, I will just need to do some tests on my present PC at work with Win2K and IIS.
I just want to see if I can connect from another PC (let's say from home) to my website copy on the work PC using an IP address (not DNS) and take from there.
I can see already that I need another ISP subscription for the server, as I can't log in with the same username when the server is on, unless there is a clever idea to use just one username in different locations. physical distance is about one kilometer. So there goes the saving on the web hosting service.

**rolfw** · 14-10-2008

Surely you can run a server and a normal PC on a single connection, you just need a router. Then you put the server in a demilitarised zone of the router, so that it sits outside the firewall and can be seen from the net.

***compufunk*** · 14-10-2008

I'm no expert either, but

What services do you intend providing on your server? Just http, or FTP etc? As pgh13 says, your upload speed could prove a bit on the slow side.

Regular web pages should be fine so long as their are no large images, FTP could be very slow.

Originally Posted by HB13DISH

Reliability is not a big issue here, as the website can be off for any length of time, and I doubt if anybody will notice.
Anyway, has anybody got experience with having your own server at home or at work and what is the real cost of running a server 24/7.

Originally Posted by HB13DISH

I just want to see if I can connect from another PC (let's say from home) to my website copy on the work PC using an IP address (not DNS) and take from there.

If you dont mind your users having to change their bookmarks, you could use _http://www.dyndns.com to get yourself a free URL.

You might want to look into getting a router that has DMZ capability if you dont already have that. Port forwarding should also work, but its not the most elegant solution.

Originally Posted by HB13DISH

The problem is that I want to use windows and IIS, which is going to more costly than Linux and Apache.

XAMPP is a great little bundle for the hobbyist web developer, It has a handy little installer that will configure your machine with Apache, PHP, and MySQL along with a web based interface for configuration and database design.
I'm always pushing open source on you HB13DISH

**HB13DISH** · 16-10-2008

Just trying to get some background information, before I contact my ISP.
Is it easy to get a static IP from the ISP and do they charge extra for that and how much.
Will need this for my own web server tests.
Thanks.

**rolfw** · 16-10-2008

Some ISPs provide them, some don't, but some routers allow the use of a dynamic DNS forwarder, so you don't necessarily need one.

**HB13DISH** · 16-10-2008

Thanks rolfw.

At this stage I prefer not to invest in any special routers (I have Alcatel ADSL modem) which enables me to connect to the internet through my ISP.
Do they charge extra for the static IP?

***compufunk*** · 16-10-2008

Originally Posted by HB13DISH

Do they charge extra for the static IP?

Some do, some dont. We are currently switching providers at work. Our new ISP lets you have a static IP for free, We paid 50 euro (once off payment) for the same thing with our old ISP.

**HB13DISH** · 16-10-2008

Originally Posted by compufunk

Some do, some dont. We are currently switching providers at work. Our new ISP lets you have a static IP for free, We paid 50 euro (once off payment) for the same thing with our old ISP.

Thanks compufunk. Helpful as usual.

You are welcome to keep pushing for open source, it is just that you are going uphill with me I am afraid.

**rolfw** · 16-10-2008

A modem/router is about €50 and will make the whole thing much easier and also mean that the server can be connected when you are not. If you want to do it properly, then having a website which is only available whilst you are logged onto your PC is not going to be too successful.

Most ISPs charge an extra fiver or more per month for a static IP, but many don't offer that facility, in any event, you can use a dynamic DNS address and point your domain name to it if necessary.

***pgh13*** · 17-10-2008

Originally Posted by HB13DISH

Thanks pgh13
I can't log in with the same username when the server is on, unless there is a clever idea to use just one username in different locations. physical distance is about one kilometer. So there goes the saving on the web hosting service.

I don't think there's any way round this.....I've had similar problems trying to log on through a modem at a mate's house using the same details as the router uses at home........call on the mobile; 'T'internet's gone off -

**HB13DISH** · 17-10-2008

Originally Posted by pgh13

I don't think there's any way round this.....I've had similar problems trying to log on through a modem at a mate's house using the same details as the router uses at home........call on the mobile; 'T'internet's gone off -

Thanks pgh13.

I am considering now to build a super minitiarized and light weight web server machine, even smaller than a laptop, and then move it between work and home so that I won't need another ISP subscription.
Estimated downtime is about 10 minutes if I run fast enough.

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