Home Web Server

Hopefully this will help you get started with setting up a website to run from any PC or even Laptop from your house.

Lets get started:

Firstly the best place to learn about this subject I have found is to visit YouTube.  There are loads of great videos on all aspect of setting up your own site.  However try the instructions below, and let me know how you get on.

1.  If you are like most people and have a dynamic IP address, that is your ISP changes your IP address every few weeks then you either need a static ip, which will probably cost you or you can setup a free account with www.DynDNS.com.  Most routers in the DNS settings allow you to enter your DynDNS account details, this will then update your DynDNS account with your new IP address every time it changes.  DynDNS will give you an address for example mysite.dyndns.org, which points to your IP.

2.  Next make sure your router has port forwarding for port 80 to which every pc is going to be your host.  It may not be called port forwarding, it maybe a service to enter in your firewall list or something along those line.  Check the comment down the side that will help.  You will also have to reserve your pc's ip address so that does change either.

3.  Now that you have a web address and the outside world can get through your routers firewall to the desired pc, next thing is to enable IIS or install Xmapp onto your hosting PC.  To install IIS go to add/remove programs in control panel and enable additional components/features.  when the box pops up tick IIS.  You will now have IIS in your administrator options.  To install Xmapp search Google and download for free.  It usually comes with instruction.  you are now broadcasting on your pc try it.  Enter your DynDNS address into the address box of your browser and there you are.

4.  If you already have a Domain name then you can use that instead of you DynDNS acccount.  Simply go into you hosting site admin page, look for a mention of Cname or DNS management and enter your DynDNS account details.  This will allow your Site to be reach through your own Domain name.

5.  If like me however your Domain name provider does not have this option, or only allows url forwarding which either cost extra or they make you have advertising, then there is another way.

6.  Create a free account with a site called MyDomain.com.  For free they will let you enter your Domain name, and give your the Cname option to enter your DynDNS account.  You will have to change your Nameservers to there's for this to work.  It can take 24hrs for dns servers to catch up. This is a great site and will even allow email forwarding.  Like I say give it 24hrs and try your domain name and see if you get through to you website.

7.  if you have any question ask then in the forum and I will try and help.  If I can do this anyone can.