Hi,
I have been testing and developing a local web site using Apache on a win2k platform. Locally the website setup is working great but I'm now looking to host the site on the www . What is involved to be able to host the site directly from my PC (ie turn my PC into a server).

I also have a cable internet connection.

I currently do not have a domain name.

Any suggestions, advice or relevant www links would be really appreciated.

Thanks,

Leigh.

You should try this:

goto www.dyndns.org , setup an account, pay the fee to have a domain redirected to your static or dynamic IP. Register a domain and set the nameservers to the ones DYNDNS tells you to.

simple eh?

Overall its much easier to pay for hosting. Then you dont have to worry about speed and security. Hosting a website on a cable connection is a bad idea, not only can I gurantee its against your cable companies terms of service, but it is extremely slow upstream.

If you want professional hosting give me a PM.

THanks,
Dan

omg!

lelliott, it is definitely better to have a server on your computer if you can do it. and you know why? becase it's freeeeeee!!!!

here's what you need to do:

1. set up Apache and other software (MySQL, PHP? - whatever you need) to work with the Internet. you can test your server simply by connecting to your IP address.

2. register a domain. you can get one for $8.95 at GoDaddy.com. also I have seen a company selling them for $7.95, but i don't remember their name.

3. go do zoneedit.com or granitecanyon.com and get a FREE dns service. (Zoneedit is much simple, but you will have to pay if you get more than 5 domains.) they have good instructions as to how to set everything up. their service will make sure that www.yourdomain.com points to your computer even if your IP address changes (!!!).

that should be it!

of course you might want to set up a mail server or something like that, but that's a different story... good luck!

Before you do all this I would contact your isp first as you do not want them to cancel your account because of bandwidth issues.

I am pretty sure cable providers do not allow it however as the bandwidth is shared within the providers range.