[shmerek]

I have one quick question. If I have OS X server on my computer, a registered domain name and a dedicated internet connection with a static IP (like @home) could I host my one website?
Thanks

Originally posted by shmerek:
I have one quick question. If I have OS X server on my computer, a registered domain name and a dedicated internet connection with a static IP (like @home) could I host my one website?
Thanks

Yes. The only trick is adding a record to your primary/secondary domain name servers that directs requests for yourdomain.com to your static IP. Some domain name registration companies offer DNS services for a fee. You could also use a free (but sometimes unreliable) DNS service such as granitecanyon.com, or a commercial DNS service such as dnswiz.com. Or you could get nutty and set up your own DNS services.

michael

[shmerek]

Thanks for the reply. Do you or anyone else know of a relly good web resource that explains all about setting up servers etc?

[suhail]

Try Sherlock, and search for "Instructions on setting up servers" or something similar.

[romyd]

Originally posted by suhail:
Try Sherlock, and search for "Instructions on setting up servers" or something similar.

suhail or anyone,
Can you give me the Sherlock link. I'm really interested in setting up my iMac as a web server. I already have Apache, PHP and MySQL loaded up but not yet configured properly. I'm looking for specific directions on how to do this. Also, do you know if I need any additional hardware? Do I need to dial into the server or is it simply typing the http address which will send me right to the server residing on this iMac which is hosting the site. I appreciate any help you can provide. thanks,
romyd

[infowarrior]

Depends on where you set your server up. If it's on a network (office, campus LAN, or home DSL) you need to have your domain name (DOMAIN.COM) point to the nameservers that will have your computer's IP address in it.

Eg - DOMAIN.COM's name servers are 1.2.3.4 and 5.6.7.8. In both of these servers, your ISP would add DNS entries that say DOMAIN.COM = your.ip.address.com. That way, InterNIC records point traffic to your ISP DNS servers and they in turn point to your webserver at your.ip.address.com. FYI, there are several domain registrars and some free services (dhs.net or .org) that do free DNS redirection and can cut out your ISP middleman.

You shouldn't need any extra hardware , and you certainly don't need to "dial into" a server. I don't recommend putting a server up on a dialup line anyway!

However - cablemodem companies are seriously against home users running servers of any type unless they pay big bucks for a business-class connection. You may have your server up for a little while and they may shut you down until you take it offline......also, most cable companies do not use static ip addresses - they use DHCP and reassign addresses every few days or so. This is done precisely to keep folks from using their 'consumer' service to run web businesses or servers that have the potential for high volumes of traffic. Keep in mind that although cable services give GREAT download speeds (7.1MB or so) they only let you upload (serve) at like 192K or at most 640K. That sure isn't handy if/when you have 5 or more folks vying for concurrent downloads of files, pages, or streams!!!

As an aside, if you're really looking to do serious serving of websites or email, you may want to check into DSL if you can afford it.....it costs much more than cable, but I use SDSL and pay a bunch for it each month (300$ for a two-way 1.1MB connection...practically a T-1 in my basement!). I do with it what I want, I run 2 high-volume servers at home and can still have great speeds surfing the net while the servers churn away in the background on the same connection. As long as it's legal, the ISP doesn't care what I do.

Just a few thoughts. I can't comment on PHP or webdev stuff, I still use Netscape Communicator for my website (www.infowarrior.org) but plan to start learning GoLive soon and give the site a much-needed facelift!

rick

[jarends]

also think about if you really want to do this. The novelty wears off after a while. I'd rather keep zero traffic coming into my home network and let someone else deal with maintaining the servers.

I have my web site hosted by a provider that has multiple T3s, and they took care of the setup for me. I've moved 2 times in the past year anyway..so I don't want it local for that reason anyway. I'll be outa here again in a few months.

[dtriska]

Originally posted by infowarrior:
I use SDSL and pay a bunch for it each month (300$ for a two-way 1.1MB connection...practically a T-1 in my basement!).

Where do you live?!? I have a cable connection that goes over 1.6 Mbps (T1 speed) both ways for roughly $27 US/month.