Web Hosting Question

[carlg]

This will most likely be an elementary question to most of the users here, but I just don't understand it for some reason.

My question is about web-site hosting. This actually may be the wrong forum for this question, but I use Apache server so I thought I would ask here.

Let's say I want to publish a site that I created to the web (In my case using PHP and Apache also w/ Mysql).

I would need to find a company that provides hosting services. Now if I understand correctly, they would run the Apache server and I would publish my stuff on their site. Let's say the name of the company is Tom's Hosting (I just made this up)

My question is, what does "Tom's Hosting" have that I don't have? I could run an apache server on my PC and serve web pages, etc., but what do I need to host my own site? Let's say I have a server that run's APache, PHP, Mysql and I want to put it on the web, what do I need? Without going thru "Tom's Hosting Service"

Thanks for the info

 

[smah]

Start here:

http://www.dslwebserver.com/

 

[RhythmAce]

Check to see if your isp allows you to run a server. Sometimes they block port 80 which is the port http (web) traffic uses. They may also give you a dynamic ip. That means your ip changes all the time so you can't associate a domain name to it. If you don't have a problem with either one of these or you plan on using a pointer service, here is a brief list of what you need to do.

1) Buy a domain name from a registrar such as godaddy.com

2) Use your registrar's dns servers to point your domain name to your ip.

3) Apache should be configured by default to listen for all addresses on port 80. You may have to change the port if you use a pointer service.

I've mentioned pointer service a couple times. A pointer service such as dyndns is used when your ip changes all the time. Your pc will update their servers with your current ip at set intervals. If port 80 is being blocked by your isp, they will use an alternate port such as 8080.

 

[robbieguy2003]

what does "Tom's Hosting" have that I don't have?

If there a decent host then the following;

> A proper datacentre with staff, ups, generators, cooling etc
> A BGP network so it doesnt go down (damn site more reliable than your dsl connection can ever be)
> oodles of bandwidth (100Mb/s and 1000Mb/s connections being the norm now)
> Proper Servers (hopefully) with Raid arrays, dual psus
> Knowledge of securing the servers and making it easy to use for yourself

Look for hosting around the £100+/$200+ PA (per annum) for decent quality hosting.

It does depend if your site is for your business or just playing around with though.

I wish someone would just call me Sir, without adding 'Your making a scene'.

Rob