Welcome to DIYwebserver!

This site is a guide to setting up and running a full featured webserver from just about any Internet connection. We cover issues on running a web server, email server, dns server, news server, ftp server, game server and more.

Stop by the forum, you will find lots of useful, up-to-date, interesting and fun information there. Check out the forum here!

This site takes a close look at issues surrounding running a web server from a DSL or Cable Internet connection.

We have tested and compiled a list of software, hardware and strategies for setting up and running your own cost effective web server. In most cases, the software you need to run an Internet server is free!

Check your ISPs Terms Of Service. Some ISPs have strict rules against running servers. I use SBC Ameritech static DSL because of their "Open Port Policy".

• Never pay another hosting fee for your domain name. Some ISPs charge between $10 to $85 per month for this service.
  
• Enjoy an unlimited amount of web space. No more restrictions on server space. Now you can host your own sites with room to post your own streaming video, music or multimedia.
  
• Host an unlimited amount of domain names. Create extra revenue by hosting web sites for other businesses, organizations and individuals.
  
• Gain free access to an unlimited email accounts. Give your friends an email address@yourcompany.com
  
• Host your own game server and portal.
  
• Run server side software of your choice such as: PERL, ASP, JAVA, PHP, PYTHON, MySQL and more

Web Designers: Keep all of your business in house. No more outsourcing to ISPs for hosting. This is an excellent resource for monthly income. Or use your server as a test bed for design, prototypes and emerging technology.

Teachers: Give your students the opportunity to publish there work to the Internet for free.

Home Office: Ideal for consolidating technology and creating additional revenue streams.

Artists and Self Publishers: Enjoy the versatility and unrestricted space to publish your own work, portfolio, videos and literature. The possibilities are limitless.

Students: Publish your own work, thesis or portfolio and resume for the world to see.

The Hobbyist/ Do-It-Your-Self: For those of you who just simply have to get your hands on technology.

1) The software required to run a web server is too expensive.

False, The most popular web server, Apache, which hosts 65% of all of the sites on the Internet is FREE. Statistics provided by: NetCraft.com

2) The computer required to run web server software needs to be super fast and is really expensive.

False, most sites you visit on the Internet today are on computer running slower that 500 MHz, most aging office/home computers make excellent web servers.

3) The broadband telecommunication line required to run a server is way too expensive.

False, The typical residential DSL or Cable Internet connection is more than sufficient to host a full Internet hosting provider and costs as little as $29.95 per month. Note: This web site is being brought to you on residential DSL Internet service. See a list of other DSL Web Servers.

4) Residential DSL lines are too slow to host a web server.

False, Residential DSL & Cable Internet connections are capable of hosting web sites that receive 15,000-30,000 hits per month. Note: This site is being brought to you on residential DSL Internet service.

5) Setting up a server is complicated and requires a computer engineer to manage and maintain it.

False, A web server can be set up by someone with very little computer & networking experience in less than 5 hours.

6) Running a server requires me to have an extra computer and not use the server for anything other than running the server software.

False, Most web/Internet server applications are very small programs that run in the background of your system allowing you to use your computer just like you would normally.

7) A self run web server is unreliable.

False, Most people who run their own websites find that it is actually more reliable than services provided by an ISP. This server has been running for nearly a year and has been down for a total of less than 24 hours or less than 0.1% of the time versus the ISP ADT (Acceptable Down Time) of 1%.

Please note that there are a couple of different sections to this guide.

1) Users with a Static IP address who plan on hosting one or more web sites from their computer will want to complete the tutorial through step 6.

2) Users with a static IP address who plan on running one or more websites with email accounts and may include options such as email, FTP and DNS services, complete the entire tutorial.

3) Dynamic IP address server. Coming Soon.

It is possible to run a server from a DSL/Cable connection with a dynamic IP address, though it is not as reliable as a server with a static IP. This site is working to include information on setting up a dynamic IP server. Until then, take a look at dynamic IP services from ZoneEdit.com and TZO.com

Internet Connection: An active DSL Internet connection with a static IP address. We recommend using SBC Ameritech if you live and work in their service area.

Hardware: Mac OSX, Linux or Windows 98/NT/2000/XP computer.

Software:
Apache web server,
*Argosoft email server
*BulletProof FTP
*SimpleDNS
*required only if you wish to run this service.

Additional recommended components: In addition to the minimum requirements, we recommend that you use the following equipment and upgrades to achieve the maximum potential and reliability for your server.

Static IP address: Provided by your ISP (Internet Service Provider) for a nominal monthly fee. A static IP address is a numeric Internet address that never changes. This is a highly recommended feature, as it adds to the reliability to your Internet connection and server presence.

DSL/Cable router/hardware firewall: Linksys makes an affordable 4 port router which allows you to share your Internet connection among many computers while protecting you computer from malicious computer software and users.
If you don't use a hardware firewall, it is highly recommended that you use a software firewall on any computer connected to the Internet

Removable Storage Device: CD-W (CD Recorder), tape back-up drive or Optical drive, good for backing up you server files.

UPS: A battery back up system that delivers uninterrupted power to your server even during power outages.

Estimated Cost of Operation:
This estimation assumes that you already own a computer with Windows 98 or better with an active DSL/Cable Internet connection. Configuration time included installation, configuration and confirmation. Configuration time does not include time to download software and time to read this tutorial.

Estimated Total Cost:
Internet server with up to 5 domains and email = Free
- or -
Full feature unlimited Internet Server with all of the above options = $425

Price estimate does not include domain name charge

Estimated Time to Configure:
Internet server with up to 5 domains and email: about 2-3 hours
- or -
Full feature unlimited Internet Server with all of the above options = about 4-5 hours

When shopping around for an Internet Service Provider to host your Internet connection, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind.

A good place to begin research is on the Broadband/DSL reports website.

Cable vs. DSL: Cable and DSL are similar in price, but there are a few distinctions to make between the two. DSL is dedicated bandwidth while Cable is shared bandwidth. Cable Internet connections have "rush hour" just like a freeway that may cause your connection speed to slow. DSL has a greater potential for upgrade. If you have a cable connection, expect to be fixed at your current bandwidth until the next major upgrade in broadband technology.

You are more likely to find a static IP address option with DSL. The standard "upstream" (higher upstream is better for servers) data rate for Cable and DSL start at 128 kbs. Downstream data rates tend to favor Cable connections with speed as high as 1.5 mbs vs 768 kbs on DSL, but remember, cable modems are shared bandwidth. A good place to begin research is on the Broadband/DSL reports website.

Some ISP's block Port 80 which is needed to host a web server. When shopping for an ISP to host your DSL connection, make sure to tell them that you plan on running your own web server and ask them if they block Port 80. Most ISPs have an "open port policy". If your ISP insists on blocking port 80, I would recommend switching ISPs. If you live in an area that is part of the SBC Ameritech network, I recommend using them, there network is stable, reliable and they have an open port policy.

Most ISPs will not give you any technical support on running your own server. In fact, some ISPs will go as far as telling you that you can't run a server on DSL. Why? Because your ISP is making a lot of money off people like you. They don't want you to run your own server!

My personal experience has been that the larger telecom companies are more agreeable when it comes to running your own server. In the past I have always used the local "Mom and Pop" ISP because I always found better/friendlier tech support and service. However, when establishing your own server on DSL or Cable, a small ISP will push "co-location" of a server over static IP connections. Co-locating (putting you server on site with your ISP and connecting directly to their network) will give you a big jump in bandwidth along with a big jump in monthly overhead (about $300 per month). DSL with a static IP generally runs about $49 depending on where you live, making DSL a good choice for people who are not pushing huge amounts of data.

For comparison, I have two DSL lines hosting a couple of servers. Both lines are provided by SBC Ameritech. The primary line (hosting this server) is a dedicated 768/128 kbs line with 5 dedicated IP addresses which runs about $59.95 per month. The second line. The second line is a dynamic IP address 768/128 kbs line which I used for running a dynamic web server (tutorial coming soon). The cost of the second line is $29.95 per month.

A static IP address is generally not a standard Internet account feature. Most Internet Service Providers require you to pay an additional monthly fee to reserve a static IP. Most Internet connection accounts use a dynamic IP address. If you did not specifically order a package that includes a static IP address, chances are you have dynamic IP address. This tutorial assumes that you will obtain a static IP address.

A popular misconception about Internet servers, is that you need more than one computer to run a successful web site. The truth is that one computer can serve a large number of web sites, running a number of different services, email, web, DNS, FTP. Ect… This web site is run on a server which is also running an email, DNS and FTP server.

Remember, once you become your own web/Internet Server, If you turn off your computer, people will not have access to your web server

Check your ISPs Terms Of Service. Some ISPs have strict rules against running servers. I use SBC Ameritech static DSL because of their "Open Port Policy".

Important! A static IP address is generally not a standard Internet account feature. Most Internet Service Providers require you to pay an additional monthly fee to reserve a static IP. Most Internet connection accounts use a dynamic IP address. If you did not specifically order a package that includes a static IP address, chances are you have dynamic IP address. This tutorial assumes that you will obtain a static IP address.

It is possible to host a web site on an Internet connection that has a dynamic IP address, however it is not recommended. Your Internet connection will be less reliable and you will loose the ability to host a reliable email server.

Continue to Getting A Domain Name >>