How do I host my own website?
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How do I host my own website?
Guys,
Maybe I'm being a fraction short of two planks here, but I have NO IDEA about hosting my own website. I'm creating the website at the moment, have the domain name, will have the server and ASDL connection set up soon... how do I HOST it tho? Do I need Win2K Server? This is eventually gonna be a heavy use site with the facilities of PPRUNE (forum, chat, member database, profiles for them and probably internal messaging as well... not related to aviation tho).
Is there some sort of hosting program I can use? How do I configure Win2K, etc? I know that no-one will be able to answer all my queries, but if someone could point me in the right direction I'd be grateful!
Niall
Maybe I'm being a fraction short of two planks here, but I have NO IDEA about hosting my own website. I'm creating the website at the moment, have the domain name, will have the server and ASDL connection set up soon... how do I HOST it tho? Do I need Win2K Server? This is eventually gonna be a heavy use site with the facilities of PPRUNE (forum, chat, member database, profiles for them and probably internal messaging as well... not related to aviation tho).
Is there some sort of hosting program I can use? How do I configure Win2K, etc? I know that no-one will be able to answer all my queries, but if someone could point me in the right direction I'd be grateful!
Niall
'nough said
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Hi,
what do you mean when you say you will have the server set up soon - is that with a provider of wepspace? If so they will provide the necessary software to run your website - usually Windows NT or Linux. They should provide you information re how to log on to the space alocated to you and how to FTP to it to upload your files - I use WS-FTP by Ipswitch as well as the built-in feature of Dreamweaver MX to handle that part of the process.
Otherwise, you can rent out a server or virtual server and DIY the rest - like Apache, MYSQL or SQL, PHP etc... not recommended without a strong disposition.
HTH, a little,
amofw
what do you mean when you say you will have the server set up soon - is that with a provider of wepspace? If so they will provide the necessary software to run your website - usually Windows NT or Linux. They should provide you information re how to log on to the space alocated to you and how to FTP to it to upload your files - I use WS-FTP by Ipswitch as well as the built-in feature of Dreamweaver MX to handle that part of the process.
Otherwise, you can rent out a server or virtual server and DIY the rest - like Apache, MYSQL or SQL, PHP etc... not recommended without a strong disposition.
HTH, a little,
amofw
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Your own site...
Maybe I'm being a fraction short of two planks here, but I have NO IDEA about hosting my own website... this is eventually gonna be a heavy use site..
however, if you take it one step at a time, it's perfectly achievable (well, as long as you don't use Windows -- it may seem to be easier initially (obviousl familarity) but if this is ultimately to be a "big" site, you have to stop thinking of the box as a "PC" and start thinking of it as a "server" (e.g. cars and lorries are superficailly similar, but...)
I'm creating the website at the moment, have the domain name, will have the server and ASDL connection set up soon...
how do I HOST it tho? Do I need Win2K Server?
with the facilities of PPRUNE (forum, chat, member database, profiles for them and probably internal messaging as well... not related to aviation tho).
1. Install the OS, then patch it and secure it. You will have to do this whether you use Unix or Windows.
Of the Unix-like OSes that are around today, personally, I prefer NetBSD for use on servers, but you may find FreeBSD slightly easier to install (but slightly harder to secure.) I'm not personally a great Linux fan (for reasons I won't bother to go into here), but these days it's perfectly adequate and still much better than Windows
. Both of these can be downloaded for free from the net, and over an ADSL link shouldn't take too long. If you want to play before your link is up or if you cannot burn a CD, PM me and I can send you a CD.Patching means installing the vendor supplied security patches (pretty much daily, if you are using MS
).Securing means removing all the software and services that you don't need. Every service that you leave running that you do not need is a potential way into you system for an intruder.
2. Install your webserver (probably Apache, but possibly others) and your "website."
3. Install your Bulleting Board software. YaBB is a good place to start, as it's free and doesn't need a SQL database backend (but because of that, it won't scale to the size of PPRuNE
)4. You'll probably need to setup/configure an email system as well. Exim is a great place to start.
Phew, there's quite a lot to get to grips with there, but take it one step at a time and you'll get there. But like learning to fly, there are no shortcuts if you want a secure system (cf. you want a safe flight.)
If you are actually hosting at an ISP you will only have to do some of this... the more the ISP does for you, the less flexibiltiy you will have yourself; and, conversely, the more flexibility you have yourself, the more responsibility you have to take for your own actions...
Most of the above could do with need exapantion/further explanation, but I don't I have time right now, but I'm happy to continue this either here, or in PMs if you prefer to keep it private. I'm sure others will chip in to expand further, disagree with my suggestions
, etc.HTH
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Quick and perhaps unconsidered reply - You mentioned ADSL ?
Then Win2K server - kinda suggests you are running or are going to run from home ?
I trust therefore, that you have a static IP address wrt to the ADSL ? Personally I would not attempt to use a website via an ADSL connection - get a leased line. Better still, use the webspace that's thrown in these days with your ISP - then build on that.
Then Win2K server - kinda suggests you are running or are going to run from home ?
I trust therefore, that you have a static IP address wrt to the ADSL ? Personally I would not attempt to use a website via an ADSL connection - get a leased line. Better still, use the webspace that's thrown in these days with your ISP - then build on that.
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L_L34
Agreed about the need for static IP (couldn't remember everything ) As for running over ADSL, I am familiar with a number of small/medium sized sites which run quite happily over this, and it would be fine for NC to get started, particularly if he wants to "get his hands dirty"
Agreed about the need for static IP (couldn't remember everything
) As for running over ADSL, I am familiar with a number of small/medium sized sites which run quite happily over this, and it would be fine for NC to get started, particularly if he wants to "get his hands dirty"
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Guys,
Appreciate the responses. To confirm, I'm thinking of hosting the site on my own server (custom built, with RAID etc) at home. This is looking like a slightly bigger challenge then planned, but hey ho, that's the way it goes.
RTFM, I may take you up your offer, seeing as the ASDL link won't be up for a while yet. Linux does seem to be a more secure (if more daunting... was doing some research earlier on) solution, especially for a Microshaft devotee like me. Details on the way.
Lost_luggage, bang on the mark, a static IP. Leased line may be a tad expensive for a startup... especially in Ireland. Point taken though.
AMOFW, appreciate the FTP info, may come in useful.
'
This website business had better be worth the hours of toil and suffering!
Edited to let RTFM know that I tried sending you a mail but your mailbox seems to be full... popular guy, eh?
Appreciate the responses. To confirm, I'm thinking of hosting the site on my own server (custom built, with RAID etc) at home. This is looking like a slightly bigger challenge then planned, but hey ho, that's the way it goes.
RTFM, I may take you up your offer, seeing as the ASDL link won't be up for a while yet. Linux does seem to be a more secure (if more daunting... was doing some research earlier on) solution, especially for a Microshaft devotee like me. Details on the way.
Lost_luggage, bang on the mark, a static IP. Leased line may be a tad expensive for a startup... especially in Ireland. Point taken though.
AMOFW, appreciate the FTP info, may come in useful.
'
"get his hands dirty"
This website business had better be worth the hours of toil and suffering!
Edited to let RTFM know that I tried sending you a mail but your mailbox seems to be full... popular guy, eh?
Last edited by niallcooney; 14th Mar 2003 at 03:59.
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NC, after 7.5 years of running this site may I suggest you start the way we did here at the Towers.
We got the first 2 years of experience simply using the space quaranteed to a normal private user's ISP. We crept up the experience ladder during that time and even now we still only have a footprint of around 40gigs.
If you want the excitement of building, formatting, patching and securing your server then go ahead and fill your boots.
On the other hand if you'd like to build and run a website, well, our way actually works
Can't help but point out that Friends Reunited was created and run through a laptop. Server was elsewhere within an ISP.
Best of Luck
rob
We got the first 2 years of experience simply using the space quaranteed to a normal private user's ISP. We crept up the experience ladder during that time and even now we still only have a footprint of around 40gigs.
If you want the excitement of building, formatting, patching and securing your server then go ahead and fill your boots.
On the other hand if you'd like to build and run a website, well, our way actually works
Can't help but point out that Friends Reunited was created and run through a laptop. Server was elsewhere within an ISP.
Best of Luck
rob
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Guys,
A good argument on both sides, might consider having the main site on an ISP and a couple of subsidiary sites on my own server for initial practice.
On the subject of Friends Reunited, the site we're in the process of developing is quite close to that concept, ironically. Can it survive? Only time, advertising, design and content will tell!
On a cheeky note, any ideas on what extra features would any of you see as a good idea for a dating site? (see RSVP for a VERY rough comparison)
So far we've got:
Forum (obvious)
Chat (even more obvious)
Detailed profiles/internal search engine
Opt-out blind dating system (not sure if it'll catch on)
IM's/internal website mail (critical)
Personal development section (self-confidence stuff, dating tips, body-language guide, etc)
And a few more besides
If you were single (and reasonably but not terminally desparate), what would you want to see in a site like this? By the way, this site is aimed at the Irish market, with no current plans to expand, best to keep things at a low level until my admin skills come up to speed.
niall
A good argument on both sides, might consider having the main site on an ISP and a couple of subsidiary sites on my own server for initial practice.
On the subject of Friends Reunited, the site we're in the process of developing is quite close to that concept, ironically. Can it survive? Only time, advertising, design and content will tell!
On a cheeky note, any ideas on what extra features would any of you see as a good idea for a dating site? (see RSVP for a VERY rough comparison)
So far we've got:
Forum (obvious)
Chat (even more obvious)
Detailed profiles/internal search engine
Opt-out blind dating system (not sure if it'll catch on)
IM's/internal website mail (critical)
Personal development section (self-confidence stuff, dating tips, body-language guide, etc)
And a few more besides
If you were single (and reasonably but not terminally desparate), what would you want to see in a site like this? By the way, this site is aimed at the Irish market, with no current plans to expand, best to keep things at a low level until my admin skills come up to speed.
niall
