Howdy all,

I was wondering if anyone knows of any online tutorials that will walk me step by step thru the process of setting up my computer to host a website. Also, I would like a tutorial to show me how to set it up so that I can do my own email server as well.

Can you provide me with any good links to help?

Phew, well, I've set up various types of servers from scratch. As far as setting up your OWN computer as a web host, that gets pretty complicated, but as an email server, I know of a great product that may be of interest to you: Merak.

This platform only works on a Windows box and is ~470 and includes a POP3 Server with actual hotmail like WebMail. :-)

You can visit them at www.icewarp.com. If you're just wanting to make a simple email server, I can't help you there as I've just mainly dealt with Exchange & Merak. Wish you the best of luck!

PS> what platform are you running?

Hello,

Are you using Windows XP pro? If the answer is Yes then it's simple. Just a few click here and there.

PM me for more info.

Regards
James

I'd perfer using Win2k Pro, but if necessary would change to XP or Advanced Server.

I have the technical ability to do it, I just don't have know-how. So, I'm not too worried about how complicated it is.

ON WIN95 AND 98 YOU CAN USE PWS (PERSONAL WEB SERVER) AND ON WINXP YOU CAN USE IIS (INTERNET INFORMATION SERVER) THERE ARE MANY TUTORIALS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET FOR BOTH.
OR:
**mod edit** no self promotion please!

I have no idea what your website needs, but I am convinced as long as you don't have extremely odd needs you are much better off buying hosting. It's really not expensive and generally comes fully equipped with a control panel to adjust everything the way you need it. And if things go wrong someone else will fix it.

See it that way: You can rather do whatever low-paid job for only a few hours to get a year worth of hosting (and spend the rest of your time improving your website or just sunbathing), instead of spending dozens or hundereds of hours maintaining and fixing your own server. Not to count the downtime of your own server, which is to be much higher than any commercial host.

Just my humble opinion
Stephen

Here's what you need for the web server:

DSL, or other fixed IP always on Internet Connection.

Decent Reliable PC running Win 2K Pro or XP Pro (Better Win2K Server) Install IIS from Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs> Windows Components.

Copy your web site files into your C:\Inetpub\wwwroot folder

Assuming your router or firewall isn't blocking TCP port 80 your site will then be accessible to the outside world by typing in your IP address.

Thats it in simplest terms. Though unless your experimenting to expand your personal knowledge I wouldn't recommend it, shared hosting is far more reliable than your own box on the end of a DSL line, note also than many ISP's forbid the setting up of servers on DSL. Other types of lines tend to cost $1000s a month.

Thank you! That's what I was looking for. I'm just doing it for test purposes. Possibly host my own site and my family's. Thanks

Just remember Win 2K Pro only allows you to host 1 web site in IIS.

If you want to host mulitple sites using IIS you will need win 2k Server.

I've tried the "host from home" solution and it might work for the first 2 weeks or so, but then you'll end up not caring anymore... I'd say if you are wanting a website that is up 24/7, go with a already existing host.

Just my 2 cents!

I agree with Frank (and not for the obvious reasons).

It's a fun experiment but sooner or later you're time will be taken up with something else.

If you want it for the experience, fine. But if you need a site up for good go with a hosting company.