[OpenStep]

I am getting a new 1.5/768 ADSL line to replace my current 768/128 line from Verizon and I would like to be able to host my own website over the new, faster line. I have my DSL modem plugged into my Airport Extreme Base Station and port 80 forwarded to the loacl server. The page loads fine if I put in my IP address into the address bar. I have Mac OS X Server I downloaded from ADC (I have a select membership) installed on an extra G4 I would like to use to host the website. My registrar doesn't provide DNS and I would like to host my own. Is there a simple, easy to understand set of instructions that I can follow to get DNS working? This is for a single site hosted off the machine right now. Apache works fine, it is just an issue getting DNS configured and working for internet traffic. Thanks!

[TMLai]

No, I don't think it will work.

1) I don't think you're getting a static ip address from Verizon (It cost a fortune).

2) Airport don't support ip pass through. The internet side of the world will never see your server, only your local network can access it.

3) I knew there are work arounds for 1 & 2. But if you only have one DSL line, you cannot run both a web server and a DNS server at the same time because you only have 1 external ip address.

I may be wrong because I'm not a network professional! Please feel free to correct me.

[shiff]

Look at a service like No-Ip. I have used it for years as I do not have static ip addresses for my machines at home.

There are other ways of doing this, but for 20 or so bucks a year the no-ip is not a bad deal. You will have to have a small client on your server that pushes the ip changes up to the servers at no-ip but I have had no problems with it at all.

If you want anymore details ask away..

[ghporter]

Before you get your hopes up, you should VERY CAREFULLY read your user agreement with Verizon. Most ISPs either frown on or outright ban normal residential customers from hosting universally available web sites through their service. This makes sense, since all the traffic (not just users who visit your site, but thousands of web bots, crawlers, indexers, and so on that just want to see what's out there) can seriously degrade the network's ability to handle other traffic.

[kampl]

Hello,
I'm in the Boston area using Verizon DSL service and have had very good luck with using DynDNS free service. They will also host your domain but I do not know the terms of their hosting service. I have my router configured to update their database periodically for the correct IP address received from PPPoE as I assume you have also. Verizon's services might be better when you upgrade the pipe in so far as getting statics, I don't know. In any event, I would look into that. Never had a problem with a webserver or SSH server so I can see what's up with the box.

You should look at your TOS like GHPorter says to see where Verizon stands on putting servers on their network. Hope that helps.

[OpenStep]

Thanks for the info. Right now I am looking into their Business DSL that has a static IP. As far as I know there has been a lot of dispute over running a server in the Verizon newsgroups as what counts as a "dedicated" or "non-dedicated" server and what they allow and not allow (different terms of service on the verizon site say different things). I might look at another DSL provider if Verizon doesn't make official word on the server issue. I'll check out the dynamic dns site, it looks like it might be the solution to getting this all to work

[Rainy Day]

Here in Oregon, we have our DSL provider, and an ISP. While the local TelCo wants to provide both to their customers, and certainly doesn't go out of their way to inform you that you have a choice, one is free to choose an independent ISP. This may be a regulatory thing and the Boston market may operate differently, but it would be worth looking into. The reason why this is important is because it is the ISP, and not the DSL provider, which assigns IP addresses, and restricts or allows servers. The DSL provider is simply providing the plumbing, not the "water," as it were.

It may simply be a matter of shopping around for a good ISP, and Verizon proper may not be the issue at all. I picked up a static IP and server friendly ISP (with unmetered bandwidth) this way for no more $$$ than the metered, dynamic IP plan the TelCo company was offering. Then again, YMMV as maybe we do things differently here on the West Coast.

Regarding DNS, while you could set up your own DNS server, i'd recommend against it as you're supposed to have at least two physically isolated servers. The reasoning being that if one fails for whatever reason (e.g. earthquake), the other would still be on-line. I'd recommend you switch registrars to one which does provide DNS service. Most do, anymore. Stargate only charges $7.75 to transfer, and $7.95 per year for registration. Sure beats $20/year to play games with dynamic IP's, IMO.