Connection Hardware Software Apache Abyss IIS Domain Names/DNS
A high speed cable or DSL connection is needed. A static IP is helpful, but not nessecary. Web servers generally run on port 80, so make sure that your provider does not block any ports by calling, and asking them. If they do block certain ports, then dynamic DNS service providers can help you get around this.
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Hardware consists of all the physical components of the system. You will need a computer preferrably p2 or better, and 500mhz or better. A computer with less than these specs will work, but may not perform as well. RAM is crucial, and only the bravest web maestros will try to run with less than 128 mb. Get as much as you can but make 128mb the minimum. You will probably want a CDR drive for back ups, and a printer is always a good idea for printing guides, and tutorials. I assume that your computer is already hooked to a broadband connection via a NIC, or USB. If it is not, then contact your broadband provider for assistance.
Back TopThe heart and soul of your server is the software. The good news is that most of it is free. There are many choices available but the most common are Apache, IIS, and Abyss.
Apache is probably the most common web server software in use today. It is very small, and runs in the background. It is available for almost every operating system. Apache is "open source" which is a system of licensing that allows most people to use it for free. It also has a large community of support, both official, and unofficial. It is easy to set up, and configure. The learning curve is very small. The how to section of this guide will cover Apache installation.
Abyss is another popular open source webserver. It is not as widely used but is developing a dedicated following. There is a community of support for it, as well, and it is also free. I have not used Abyss, and so it will not be covered in the how to section.
Microsoft makes a popular webserver named IIS, or Internet Information Server. It is included with many Windows NT, and Windows 2000 installations, and therefore you may already have it. It is easy to use, and administrator friendly, but full of security holes. It will not be covered in the how to section.
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A domain name is an easy to remember alias for a web address, or location on the internet. Web addresses(technically IP addresses) are 12 digit strings of numbers seperated by periods like 068.165.118.660. How many of those could you remember? Fortunately the Ultra Geeks responsible for this mess foresaw this problem and invented the Domain Name System, or DNS. This way you tell your computer to go www.microsoft.com by typing it in, or clicking on a link. Your computer sends a message out to its Domain Server, which checks to see if it knows the IP address. If it does it tells your computer which then sends for the page you want. If it doesn't know, then it sends the request up the chain to it's Domain Server.
Each level of Domain Servers are responsible for different parts of the address. Your Domain Server knows the location of your computer. The Domain Servers at Covad, for example, know the locations of computers downstream from Covad. The root servers know only the locations of the top level servers below them. when your request gets sent up to the root servers they look at it, and think "I don't have a clue where that is, but I know where the .com servers are" and the request is sent there. The .com servers think "I don't know where that is, but I know where microsoft.com is" and send the request there. The servers at microsoft.com think "aha, I know where www.microsoft.com is" and they send the IP address to your computer, which then sends the request for the web page, along with it's IP informaion so the receiving computer will know where to reply. Your computer saves the information from every web page you visit for awhile in case you go back.
Of course this is very simplified. However it was sufficient to give you the gist of the system without taxing your brain with things like fully qaulified domain names, MX records, name space, cnames, etc.
The point of all that was that you will need a domain name in order to host a website. It is possible without one, but unless you have a good reason you wouldn't want to. Try to think of unique name, that characterizes your site, but is short, and easy to remember. Then think of a variation, because the first one is probably taken.
Now you will need to register the domain name. I use DirectNIC for mine, however there are many other registrars. The cost is usually about $10-$20 per year. DirectNIC charges $15 per year. Most registrars have an easy to use administration interface. Search for your domain name, and if it is taken try several variations. Once you have your domain name, then you have to worry about DNS. Your ISP, or registrar may provide it, either free, or for a small fee. You can also do a web search for "free dns" but you may wind up changing DNS providers often, as many of these sources go under, or start to charge later on. I have had three free DNS providers in the last three months. Currently I use Every DNS.net. For the beginner it is probably best to just use your registrar, or ISP.
Once you have a domain name, and have setup DNS, you will need to return to your registrar and log into your account. If you use your registrar for DNS then point the DNS to your IP address, provided by your ISP. If you are using another DNS provider, change your domains name server information to match what your DNS provider gave you. At your DNS providers site log in and point it to your IP address. It will take about 72 hours(3 days) for DNS information to propagate, or spread through the name server system.
More simply the chain is registrar--->nameserver/DNS provider------->your IP(provided by your ISP)
It is possible to host your own nameserver, but again, it is not for the beginner.
Back Top5/13/03 Jerry Corliss
This project, and my own server were made possible by lots of help from Bill, and the crew at DIYwebserver.com Thanks Bill, Ramy, Joseph, Rob, RSoloman, RR, Warlock(your wu shu is better than mine!), DigitalHeart, Adrian, Dfitch(the hands on man), and everyone else I forgot.
