Can I host websites from my home PC?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dom
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Dom

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Am I able to host websites from my home PC?
have a DSL connection which is fast enough but wouldn't be able to take too many people at the same time I doubt.
Do I need to install anything?

I am using Windows
 
There's two parts to this question: can you technically, and can you legally? Let's go with the "legally" first.

It all depends on your DSL providers' terms of service. Some of them will allow for hosting your own personal, individual site. A few more *may* allow you to host a small business site for your home business. Almost none will allow you to run a commercial web host out of a room in your home, or off of your PC.

So: can you legally host web sites from home? Check with your upstream providers' terms of service.

Now, on to technically.

You're running Windows, which is not an operating system that I have used as a web server. I think that they've got some home server pack. Check their site for more information.

Now, on to some depressing but necessary questions:

* do you know how to install and maintain a firewall?
* do you know how to monitor and block hacking attempts?
* do you know how to run a mailserver?

These are part and parcel of being a web host. Windows has tried to sell people on the idea that you just install any software of theirs and BAM you can do anything - but there are still some tasks that require a little more background knowledge.

If you're really interested in this, you might check out some courses at your local JC or university on Windows web server administration (make sure that they're web server courses, though - there are servers that don't connect to the Internet, and they work a bit differently). They'll give you what you need to get started.
 
Check the rules with your ISP. Most DSL/Cable providers do not allow end users to run any services. Plus, you have to ask your self what about power outage, network outage, etc. These are quite common and happen a lot at home.
 
Also, if you run Windows use Apache. Do not mess with IIS. For mail, use imail. It is expensive but worth it on windows systems. Although, I have set these services up on a windows box at work before where I did not have to worry about DNS. I do not know what DNS software Windows uses. Just seams it would be easier and better shelling out $99 for a dedicated server at EV1, ServerMatrix, and so on.
 
Yeah, most providers do not allow you to run websites, ftp's, and other related things on your home connection.. however you can host them easily with a program called 'xitami' for windows, works pretty good I guess.. but not as good as if you were to install say apache and other things..
 
Has anyone else forgotten that if your DSL connection goes down, your site disappears no way of routing traffic to get around the problem.

I would never dream of hosting websites from home.

I just use my local pc to create pages and see what they look like then upload them.
 
most DSL providers allow you to... although if you don't know what you are doing you put your self at risk for secuirty exploits.
 
Yeah I can do it according to my TOS.

Yeah you can but it's hard work and there's a security risk
Click to expand...

Can you expand that a little?
Why is it hard work? What work would I have to do to set it up and keep it running? What security risks are involved? Wouldn't there be just as much risk in running it as a server than just having it online?

* do you know how to install and maintain a firewall?
* do you know how to monitor and block hacking attempts?
* do you know how to run a mailserver?
Click to expand...

Yes
No
Yes

The only thing I would know how to do is block IPs but I couldnt stop people from attacking from more than one IP.

you can host them easily with a program called 'xitami' for windows
Click to expand...

What exactly is xitami? Never heard of that

rwaforums I don't mean hosting as in commercial hosting, but for my own sites. My connection is VERY good, it has only gone down a few times in a about 3 years. A lot better than most people's connections I think.

Loren, what kind of exploits? Are online servers more prone to attacks than computers just online?
 
Yes they are more prone because they are out in the open. There are constantly people scanning for computers that they can possibly take advantage on.


xitami: is a web server solution for the windows based PC have used in a LONG time, but you might wanna goggle for it.
 
Dom, based on some of your responses I would *strongly* suggest that you take a formal course in web server administration before you start hosting web sites out of your home. There's a lot of little things to learn that can't easily, adequately be covered by a few forum responses.

What security risks are there associated in hosting a web server out of your home? The same kinds of security risks associated with running any web server. People may try to hack the server and gain control of it. If you use your home computer as your server AND your personal PC, you have to be doubly cautious about watching out for viruses that give hackers and / or spammers back-door access to your machine.

In regards to your question about exploits, and web servers being more vulnerable that normal computers online, it would depend on the computer usage...but think about it this way:

* web servers have to be on and hooked up to the Internet 24 hours a day. Regular home computers do not (and probably shouldn't be, unless they have extremely strong protections on them to guard against intrusion attempts)

* normal home computers do not allow Internet users to view all or part of their contents. Web servers do. This gives people access - which can be exploited, unless you know how to guard against such things.
 
Lesli did you know that a computer has a longer life span if left on 24/7 then when it is powered up and down every day? OMG John we should start a forum called Tips of the Day (c) 2004 - 2005 Loren Hills :p :).
 
For my home computer, I'll go with shutting it down once a day and turning it on the next day. Less ambient noise in my small living space, no interference with the TV when the computer is off (did I mention the circa-1950s wiring setup?), less fan-sucking-in-cat-hair time, et cetera.
 
An upgrade of wiring, perhaps. I can't even run my microwave without turning off every other plug-in item in the house. Computer, TV, refrigerator...I kid you not.

This set of apartments is an old 1940s motor court. Charming, but...a wee bit antiquated.
 
I don't think it is that bad an idea to be honest, although I think it would be cheaper buying a shared hosting account (Just a few $) compared to even just the electricity etc. required to keep your computer on 24/7

If it is a DSL connection it would be on 24/7 anyway but you would have to keep the computer on 24/7 now.

Of course, you couldn't run a very big site from your own computer because of the connection, but you could run a small personal site without many problems.

I know people that have done this (Not personally) and it worked out ok for them. It can be a good experience if you are interested in running a server.
As Lesli said, you could do a course, but I would only suggest that if you are looking to do it as a business or you are very serious about it.
Most people would just do it from their home computer for experience or because they have a small personal site that they like to run and it may be easier to do it all from the one computer which you have access to 24/7.
You might also need something that requires root access to the server meaning you would either have to get a VPS (Virtual Private Server) or Dedicated server, so it could be cheaper running it from your own computer.

You also don't have the restrictions which you would have on a VPS and sometimes even a dedicated (Depending on the data center)

Security could be a problem but again, I don't think it would be that bad since it is just your own sites you are running and they may not be very big with a lot of visitors.
 
Xitami is a very simple program, just basically install it and run it which takes very few minutes, then you put your .html file in the correct folder and away you go.. for the most part anyway.
 
Thanks Gordon, might take a look at that.
Know a lot more about apache and IIS though and I doubt a lot of things would work on that
 
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