Networks Thinking about hosting websites...

Hey guys,

I've recently started thinking about hosting websites. I was fired from my last job, so I need a little money. So what could I do, without actually having a job yet? I've got an internet connection, I've got a computer which I could use as a server... It looks quite easy. Or.... am I missing something?

Anyones opinions please?

Freddy

 

I have never gotten the hosting thing, because dont you still have to pay someone to get the space for the hosting? Will someone explaine how this whole, make your own webpage/hosting thing works
Thankx

 

No, I was thinking that I could be hosting websites from my own computer. I already have a huge ass harddisk from which I only use about 25%. But most of the time I am using my laptop, just as I'm doing right now. So what do I still use that computer for? Nothing really... So I'd better get to use it to make some money..

 

Yes, you can host your own site of your pc, but you'll need a fast connection, really fast one. Plus, you have got to make sure that your ISP allows it. (Some of them dont) You dont have to have a very good server computer though.

Allthough ive never done this, you would need to install something like apache and some other software. Then you would want to mask your IP with a free dns name like from no-ip.com and then you could install PHP and stuff if you are going to use that. Allthough, I doubt it is that simple.

I belive Bit-Tech (read somewhere) uses a group of there own servers to host this site. Otherwise it would obviously cost loads to host with all the members that are on here.

You could try google to see how to host your own server, im sure they might have some help for you.

 

I have a manual for installing Apache, PHP en MySQL somewhere. So installing those wouldn't be too expensive. I've been looking around. Renting a domain name would cost me 2,50 euro's per month per domain name. I could just as well host my own website from my pc and get a domain name myself as well, so I could link that domain name to my IP address.

 

Apache, PHP and MySQL are all free, so it wouldn't cost anything to install those. Then you could just buy a domain (or get a free one) and then just point it to your IP.

 

...which I could also do with the other websites that I will host

But besides the software, what else do I have to take in consideration when wanting to do this?

 

This server computer would have to be on 24/7 right? Is it ok to shut it down or will this mess sometrhing up? And how much does that apache and stuff cost? Also i have cable internet, 3mbits down and 1 mbit up, would that be fast enough? Ive always wanted to have a site now mabey do ing this i can

 

Your ISP, make sure they allow it, or otherwise they will kick you! (but what they dont know cant hurt them)

And urh.. nothing else I suppose really. Have fun.

 

Dimazz: As [Jonny] said, PHP and Apache are free.

[Jonny]: My ISP allows it, and otherwise I'd just be transferring to another ISP...

 

Yes, your server computer would have to be on 24/7. If it went off though (for repairs, upgrades,whatever) so would your site.

I think your connection would do fine, just I dont think it would be able to handle such a site like bit.

 

That's what I would use 2 harddisks for. On one harddisk I'd have the OS, on te other harddisk I would keep the sites. If for some reason the pc would die on me, I'd be able to put the harddisk with the sites in another computer. Or I'd keep a backup harddisk with a clone of the OS. Anyway, I think I could have the sites back online in quite a small amount of time.

 

Thanks, Heck no i wouldent ttry to make a site like this, not even forums. All i want is a site to show off my mods and other ghetto stuff i do like sk8 and blow things up

ADD :: what would i ask my ISP if i called them up? do you allow me to use my IP to host a web page?

 

Check the IP

*n

 

from what I remember BiT is hosted in a datacenter in the US,

I think thats true anyway. This meaning it has a huge amount of bandwidth at its disposal and other such things a datacenter can prodivde.

I'm sure RTT will be along later to confirm/deny this and maybe give us all some info on it.

 

Hosting from your own internet connection is unprofessional to say the least - especially if you're going to be offering a proper "hosting" business/service. Of course it's fine to host your own website (like i do - www.richthetitch.net - hosted from my slackware [linux] server), but I for one know that i'd never purchase webspace from someone running it from his computer

However if you must go down this route, then a minimum of 4mbit upload and linux/bsd installed and operating on the host machine. windows will NOT suffice!!!

In answer to the above post:
Yes we use our own servers in a datacentre. Mainly because we need a fast connection (over 10mbit upload) to keep the site loading quick with 100s of users active at the same time on the site and forums. Secondly because with shared hosting, another website hosted from the same box might suddenly get an influx of users and slow ours down (or get hacked, etc). And a bunch of other reasons, too.

My best advice would be to purchase a reseller account and see how it goes. If the business goes well, then migrate from the reseller account onto your own boxes in a datacentre, and then watch as the $$$ rolls in

 

This is probably a little more relevant to the Networking forum compared to GD - moving

 

Thanks RTT, that's been quite a helpful reply
So far for hosting websites. Maybe my own website though, and some websites from friends. That would still make it quite cheap, because I would only need a domain name, linked to my IP.

Thanks RTT

 

No probs

If you're only hosting your own website and for your mates, then i see no problem at all. I'd just be wary (as i assume a lot of people would be) if i did a reverse DNS lookup on what i thought was a hosting company and saw that it was being run from a box under someones bed

 

i want some info on this, any links on hosting a domain and site??