"johnb" <johnbuserREMOVE DeleteThis @sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:aTrNi.57783$YL5.1049@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net...
> Hi All,
>
> First time posting - long time reader... tried searching, but can't get
> the proper sytex to get a real answer....
>
> Maybe wanting to host a personal website at home... maybe too much
> trouble, but... (have some time to play...)
>
> I am getting the static IP set up next Tureday. (5 addresses available)
> want to save one for personal use... (remote log-in)
If you are hosting at home then you don't need a static IP, but it does make
life a lot easier.
Having 5 IP addresses sounds good, but will your router allow you to forward
different IP addresses to different internal computers? I suppose what I'm
saying is does it really make any difference whether you have 5 or just 1?
Does your hardware let you use them all? (It doesn't really matter one way
or the other, just something to think about.)
Be aware that your download speed at home will be a lot faster than your
upload speed. Put another way, you can download files quickly but only push
files out to other people at a much slower rate. This is probably still fine
for a home low traffic site, but if you are sharing large images then be
aware that it might be slow. This is one area where professional hosting can
pay real dividends, but I host at home (as well as with hosting companies)
so I'm not putting this up as a reason not to do it.
> Have a spair computer to play with...
>
> Can set up with Winddoz XP-pro or (open to sugestions)
>
> Mainly want this for pictures (landscapes, other misc family related
> things) so they can be accessed from the Internet by others..
XP Pro or any other box should be fine. Consider whether you want to use the
built in web server (limit of 10 connections - which for a home site is
probably more than you need) or whether you would be better off using
Apache. Personally I've always felt safer with apache, but I can't justify
that.
If you are more at home with a Linux box then use that instead. Use whatever
you are most at home with.
If you are hosting at home then be prepared to leave your pc on 24x7. Keep
it somewhere well ventilated.
Things to watch:
1. Only forward the ports you need to your hosting box. If its just http
then only forward port 80.
2. Ensure that your box has up to date anti-virus software.
3. Keep an eye on your logs - someone will try to hack you, but you'd be
unlucky for them to succeed.
4. Since you will need to leave your pc on 24x7, keep it somewhere whell
ventilatd.
5. I wouldn't recommend hosting on the pc that you normally use. This is in
case it does get compromised. I think you said it would be with a spare pc.
I'm sure there is more that I should be saying, but I can't think of
anything for now. I'm sure others will add to the list.
--
Brian Cryer
www.cryer.co.uk/brian >> Stay informed about: Hosting own webisite 
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