Hosting my own server - here are my 3 embarrassingly basic questions...

I know squat about hosting my own web server, but I'd like to learn just to have the knowledge.

I've been reading here on DP and elsewhere about setting one up.

I have several questions that maybe you folks can answer:

1. What could I expect the cost to be? (hardware, software)
2. Is it very hard for someone with zero-knowledge to administer?
3. How do you connect it to the Internet? Would I use my existing ISP? I'm sure my cable-modem provider would not like it.

I'd appreciate any comments.

Thank you.

 

At your house? If it's at your house, No. Your site will slow down exceedingly if more than 1 user is on your site, and your ISP most likely wont allow it.

=)

 

You should know that anything under a 2meg upstream is pretty much useless.

Hardware / Software depends on what you plan to use it for, if it's just for one site then you could get away with just install a skeleton *nix like the CentOS server cd and installing php / apache / mysql / bind9 if you wish to run services from the machine, you'll need to install a control panel software, there are a few open source ones available.

Linux is not an easy operating system to use, especially when you have no gui as with CentOS servers, for basic setup and operation you could probably get away with learning most from tuutorials and sources of reference online, however if you ever came under attack you'd be pretty much screwed, it would be a good idea to familiarise your self with *nix for a couple of months before relyin on it for anything.

Don't use windows as a server, it sucks.

Most of all though, its your upstream speed that matters.....hope this helps.....

 

The people who have servers at their own home ... how are they connected to the Internet? A seperate line?

 

Dont bother, go with a hosting company. Rent your own server in a datacenter. Linux are pretty cheap anyhow. It saves the expense and removes most of the expertise required.

New Social Networking Site

 

I use an iPowerWeb dedicated server, maybe they are not the cheapest and support sucks dong but it works --
http://www.ipowerweb.com/products/dedicatedserver/index.html

I used to host some web sites from my house and also some at work, but it was always a pain when things went down, simple things like a power outage become a real headache, better to have someone else maintain it.

Eric

 

Have someone else host it and save yourself a butt-load of headaches.

Check out Gate.com

 

Yeah ... that seems to be the general consensus.

Thanks for all your comments folks.

 

Yes..most probably do or atleast they should

You also have to consider things like blackouts, fire and all sorts

Alot of people use something called co locations, basicly that is a place where you can have your server, and they provide the line , and protection

Hardware pricing is like buying any other equipment, you have to consider ram, cpu, software and so on

There are tons of companys that offer dedicated servers for an affordable price

 

If you do want to, you could use foxserv. I used it once and it's a great piece of kit. It allows you to install PHP, MySql and a lot of other things on your computer.
Then buy a domain name, and set up your PC, and you're set!

Here is an ebook telling you how to do it. Hope it helps!!
http://www.download.com/3000-2125_4-10352311.html?tag=sd.EXAF

 

If you want the full experience with no investment try an unmangaged VPS.

If you want something that might work well for you and not drive you crazy try a managed VPS.

When you outgrow either of those you can move to a larger one or go dedicated.

If you hated DOS (before windows) you aren't going to enjoy Linux without a gui.

 

You can save money by getting a unmanaged dedicated server, then hiring someone to do the management for you.

Or you can get a fully managed dedicated server but be careful, these kinds of setups are usually very very poorly managed or not even at all.