Running a Web Server using DSL [Archive] - Xtreme PC Central Tech Forums

shadowtn

11-25-2003, 8:49 AM

I am trying to set up a web server on my DSL connection. Here is my setup. Alcatel DSL Modem to a Seimens Speedstream 2604 router. 4 Computers running Win XP Pro, Windows 2000 Server. I knew I would need a static IP so I requested one from Bellsouth. I want to run DNS, a web server, ftp server and a mail server on the Windows 2000 Server system.

Now that I have the Static IP, I don't know where to start with this project. Where do I put the static IP to begin with.

diveram

11-25-2003, 8:53 AM

First off Welcome!!

You may want to check out this site, all of your questions have already been answered in a tutorial.

www.dslwebserver.com (http://www.dslwebserver.com)

Hope this helps you out!

davidw

11-25-2003, 8:58 AM

What about cable? If it was a cable modem instead of a DSL? Where to then?

diveram

11-25-2003, 9:02 AM

Same web site for cable. I am running a web server from cable, all the info is the same, the computer doesn't care where it gets its internet connection. (If I am wrong, someone please correct me :) )

shadowtn

11-25-2003, 12:04 PM

diveram --- Thank You for the heads up on the DSL/Webserver Site. It looks like I need to figure out the DNS and get the Web Server set up first. LOL ... Another wonderful experience I am sure ... Do you have any experience in setting up a Web Server and DNS using Windows 2000 Server?

diveram

11-25-2003, 5:54 PM

No prob shadowtn. I am running w2k server, so if you need help feel free to e-mail me, post a question here, or pm me. I will do the best I can to help out. I started by reading the forums and doing many hrs of internet searches. I am not an expert, but I can help you get started. This plece is filled with very smart people who enjoy helping.....you came to the right place :)

Mntsnow

11-25-2003, 8:24 PM

shadowtn,

Welcome......You might be interested in knowing that THIS site is run from my home on a DSL connection and I run full services so I'm sure we can help answer any questions you might but as Diveram has already shown you a site that has some very good basic tutorials on how to do the basic configs and such to get you up and going. I as many people prefer to link to information that is already created rather than replicating what has already been done in the way of tutorials ;) After reading a touch if you have

davidw

11-25-2003, 8:38 PM

I never knew snowman, that this was run off of DSL. I'm really amazed. I'm definately gonna talk to you when I get a static IP and build my webserver. I also wanna do a setup similar to this for my third website.

Mntsnow

11-25-2003, 9:02 PM

I'm here to help :)

shadowtn

11-26-2003, 10:02 AM

driveram and mntsnow ... Many thanks for you kindness, I didn't know that there were so many nice people in these forums, not to mention knowledgeable.

I have things up and running somewhat. The DSL website was somewhat helpful, but was more or less directed to folks that want to do dynamic dns. Things were a bit different in my circumstance since i wanted to run my own DNS.

The whole thing is slowly coming together. I can now ping the websites from outside my network, so I am on the way.

Many Thanks to both of you and be on the lookout for more questions ... LOL

diveram

11-26-2003, 10:20 AM

If I may ask, why do you want to run your own DNS. I host a few web sites and that is one step I don't think I want to be bothered with. Even if you need to pay, dns service is very affordable...like 4-10 bucks depending on where you get it from.

diveram

11-26-2003, 10:36 AM

Nice, thats how I started. :) Well if your up for the challenge, good luck. The Snowman runs his own DNS, he can help with that one. :)

shadowtn

11-30-2003, 7:30 AM

Thanks to both of you ... Everything is up and running now ... My new site is running on my computer using my DNS server. Most of my problems were with getting everything pointed to my IP address by the folks that I registered my domain with.

I will be back ... LOL

Gene C

12-21-2003, 10:26 PM

what kind of connection speeds do you have to have to set this up.

mholtum

12-22-2003, 12:17 AM

Originally posted by Mntsnow
I'm here to help :) I'll say. You sure helped with my problems..

shadowtn

12-22-2003, 9:32 AM

Originally posted by Gene C
what kind of connection speeds do you have to have to set this up.

Gene ... I am using a DSL Connection. The main thing you want to look for is the Upstream Speed, not the Downstream Speed. Mine is 256K Up ... check out the site and you can see for yourself how well it works.

shadowtn

12-22-2003, 9:33 AM

Originally posted by shadowtn
Gene ... I am using a DSL Connection. The main thing you want to look for is the Upstream Speed, not the Downstream Speed. Mine is 256K Up ... check out the site and you can see for yourself how well it works.

Guess I should have told you what the domain was ... LOL

There are 2 you can check.

www.sangotn.net

www.37040.com

EvilRick

12-22-2003, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by Mntsnow
You might be interested in knowing that THIS site is run from my home on a DSL connection and I run full services . . .

What's your Up/Down speeds? I have 1500/256, is that gonna be enough to run something like phpBB?
You say you're runnining your own DNS, is that off the same server for these boards, or a different one?

Details man, details! :)

Mntsnow

12-22-2003, 11:38 AM

Well I have a 1meg x 1meg DSL pro line. I at the high of my hosting business was running 14 servers. Seperate servers for 2 DNS, 2 Email servers, 2 Database servers and 5 webservers and then my own personal domain with PDC, BDC and intranet and mail.

I have started scaling back hosting other sites as XPC has grown to keep speeds pretty consistant as XPC currently serves over 3/4 of a million pages a month! Come the first of the year I will be pretty much done with hosting other people's sites except for a couple who's contracts don't expire until April at which time they will have to find other hosting like the others I have been hosting.

Basically I'm to the point that Andy and I may move XPC onto a commerical hosting as the costs will be about the same now that XPC has grown.

As for a 256 upload it will work fine for one or two sites but once you start adding all the images and databasing such as sites like XPC and then add the traffic 256 begins to struggle to keep up if you want a fairly quick site.

Cowboybooter

12-22-2003, 12:14 PM

originallt posted by Mntsnow
XPC currently serves over 3/4 of a million pages a month!

:eek: Must try and cut down my post quantity!

:D

Bob

Mntsnow

12-22-2003, 12:25 PM

lol CBB :)

EvilRick

12-22-2003, 2:55 PM

I currently have my site setup through a host. I now have a Static IP and want to setup my server in-house. What do I need to change as far as DNS? Through their control panel, I can see their DNS servers. Is that where I would change them to either mine or one of the freebies? And how did you setup your DNS mntsnow?

shadowtn

12-22-2003, 3:18 PM

Well I think most folks are just interested in doing this for an at home setup ...

My DSL is not as robust as mtnsnow's is ... I only have 1.5down and 256 up ...

I run a Name Server ...

Host 4 web sites ( all my own ) nothing commercial ... Just messing around with them ... Haven't moved my main family web site here yet .... Trying to make sure it is stable.

Web Server

FTP Server

Mail Server for all 4 web sites.

You can check them to get some idea about how fast or slow they are

www.sangotn.org ( this is a site for a spades league I run )

www.37040.com ( this one will be commercial eventually, but it is mine ).

the other 2 are not developed yet.

To answer your question about the DNS ... Yes you will have to go to your registrant and create a few records ... mainly an A record, an mx record, and a mail record, you can also create an ftp record if you want one.

All of this is mind boggling when you start but as you fill in the pieces it all starts to come together. Heck I got my info to start right here from driveram and mtnsnow.

EvilRick

12-22-2003, 3:25 PM

I've got no problem setting the server up and all that other "fun" stuff, it's just the DNS that has me stumped/stopped for right now.

gino x

12-22-2003, 3:32 PM

Heh, I run a site too.

E107, PostNuke and phpBB on 128k ADSL =\

I don't really find the need to run every needed service in-house since my router is my DNS server for me ;o

I don't have the money to pay for a top-level domain, so I just get me an addy from dyndns.org.

I personally don't deal with FTP unless it's secure because of my cheapo ADSL.

If you're suggesting cable, all you need to know is that I'm trying to resist invasion of my house from Comcast :x

shadowtn

12-22-2003, 3:39 PM

Originally posted by EvilRick
I've got no problem setting the server up and all that other "fun" stuff, it's just the DNS that has me stumped/stopped for right now.

Go to your registar. Create a domian host record pointing to your static IP address.

Create a www host record pointing to the same ip address.

Create a ftp host record pointing to the same ip address.

Create a mail host record pointing to the same ip address.

Create a mx [10] to your mail domain mail.yourdomain.com

Give it 12 to 48 hours to populate the name servers around the world. Then go outside your domain and ping it ...

EvilRick

12-22-2003, 3:58 PM

That's just it, my hosting is through BellSouth. I can't make any changes to the records because the domain is registered under BellSouth. I've already tried doing it a few weeks ago and ran into this wall. I'm going to have to call them to see how they turn it back over to me.

shadowtn

12-22-2003, 7:32 PM

Rick,

I don't think bellsouth is a Registar ... They are hosting for you but it is probably registered somewhere else and you can't make the changes because it is not in your name.

Get it in your name first ...

Then if they give you and static move it to someplace like godaddy. They will host it for you for 3.95 a month.

Gene C

12-28-2003, 9:08 AM

as mike had stated above.
Basically I'm to the point that Andy and I may move XPC onto a commerical hosting as the costs will be about the same now that XPC has grown.

As for a 256 upload it will work fine for one or two sites but once you start adding all the images and databasing such as sites like XPC and then add the traffic 256 begins to struggle to keep up if you want a fairly quick site.

I had my site hosted with mike, the service was Great, the speed was Great. even the cost was maybe a little more than others I had check with. But, I had an almost 100 % uptime with my site.

but, as some have stated you come to a point when you need more space or speed. and that is why I'm or I have signed a new contract or lease to have my own linux server. that is 2gb in size /30gb bandwitch . included are all the stuff you need to run anything or do anything you want. And I'M in control of the show. for it is my show. even to the point I can resell space to others at the price/package I choose to do so if I decide to do that.

my hole point here is. why do it yourself unless you just want to test or learn to do something. Let the pro do it for you and than they have a share of some of the headackes.

EvilRick

12-28-2003, 9:50 AM

I know BellSouth isn't a registrar, that's just who I did it through for ease when I signed up. The registrar is a 3rd party in Melbourne Australia. I tried changing the stuff there . . . they said I didn't know the secret password. :)
I e-mailed them and they said I just had to tell them what records I wanted changed.
Now we just need Mntsnow to either point to or write up a tutorial on how to setup DNS servers in your house. ;)

As for the letting the pros do it, I pay too much $ for what I've got. I don't need anything craptacular and really wanna have the experience of doing it myself.

shadowtn

12-28-2003, 10:03 AM

EvilRick ... I am in Clarksville TN so we are close to each other.

Drop me a line and we can talk shadow@sangotn.com

diveram

12-28-2003, 11:23 AM

I hear ya EvilRick, you may want to look into opening an account at a domain register ( I use Dotster) and get your name transfered into that account so you have total control over it and you will own it as long as you pay for service. If you switch isp for some reason, I bet you will loose your name.

EvilRick

12-28-2003, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by diveram
If you switch isp for some reason, I bet you will loose your name.

That's what I was figuring actually. I'm cancelling my Web Hosting w/ BellSouth at the 1st of the year, I figure they'll drop me like there's no tomorrow.

Mntsnow

12-28-2003, 11:40 AM

Rick, I can highly suggest Godaddy.com for domain registration and that is who I personally use for all of my domains except for one and when it comes time to renew that one I will move it over to Godaddy too.

As for how to setup a DNS server first and formost you need to have static IP's. If you do then lets start a thread and we will work with ya to get it setup :)

EvilRick

12-28-2003, 11:57 AM

I'm so Static it's not even funny. I put Static IP's on my Corn Flakes. If Static IP's were . . . you get the idea.

EDIT - The Titans are getting ready to play and I'm eating some Sonic, so I might be a few minutes before any responses. :)

Gene C

12-28-2003, 12:31 PM

As for the letting the pros do it, I pay too much $ for what I've got. I don't need anything craptacular and really wanna have the experience of doing it myself.

this is ok if you are going to do it at home or fore yourself. but, if you are going to be reselling your services. you would be in a defferent world. for you are the tech support that will be haveing the task of makeing sure everything is patched and secure for your users ect. You will be 100% in control of the setup.

I myself am not at this time able to do that for myself or my users. that is why I'm takeing everything into the fact. I'm on my own with this. until I'm 100 % sure I have everything under control. than I might let others have a piece of my pie.

If going to be hard for me to use up my space, much less my monthly bandwitch of 30 gb.

this is where boards like this and others will come into use for myself. I'm only doing this as you all are to learn something new in my life. and to later on put a Few $$$ in my pocket for what I have already shelled out for me setup.

the other reason I went with a large company. I'm not allowed to run a server on my cable account. they block the ports you need to be able to do so. even tho I have the speeds to do it. and they have Told me not to do it or get me a account f/ about 120./130 month. I think not. they also said they would drop me like I was a ton of rocks.

also, I take it out of my company funds to pay for all my stuff. even tho I don't take a deduction with the IRS

EvilRick

12-28-2003, 12:34 PM

I forgot to mention that I've recommended GoDaddy.com to a few people for their sites. We're getting ready to move http://www.circlefish.com/~whysoccer/ over to GoDaddy before too long.

EDIT - I just saw that it's only $7.95 to xfer my domain over to GoDaddy.com now and they add another year. Basically the xfer is free. I'll probably just go ahead and do that so I can make my own DNS changes from there. Would I still need to setup a DNS server or just use them?

Mntsnow

12-28-2003, 1:47 PM

Yes you will need your own DNS servers as Godaddy is just a registrar although they do sell other services such as hosting ect. You will need 2 dns servers by RFC standards

I will assume your going to use your circlefish.com domain name thus you would want to setup two servers (One of which can also be webserver if need be) Name those servers

ns1.circlefish.com
and
ns2.circlefish.com

Of course you dont have to name them NS1 and NS2 but that is the RFC standard naming scheme for NameServers :)

Once you get your domain transfered to Godaddy you can go into the domain manager admin panel and configure your name servers for the domain. (you will want to already have your name servers setup and your zone files created)

What OS(s) are you planning on using?

EvilRick

12-28-2003, 1:49 PM

Titans are whooping up on the Bucs, so fire away w/ the new 'Learnin' ya how to run a DNS Server' thread.

skubidu

12-30-2003, 4:52 PM

I am trying to help a friend out, and having some difficulties and would like ANY help or advice you might all be able to give. I have a windows 2000 Webserver running off a Linksys router with a static IP.

The best I have been able to do is link the webserver to the IP address of the router. However, I have a separate IP address AND domain name that are supposed to link to the router. I need the server's internal static IP address (192.168.1.20) to be viewed externally as 67.120.180.121. If you ping that IP address, you get the domain name as well.

What am I missing? lol Again, if I type in the router's external static IP address, I have been able to link that to the web server through port forwarding (port 80). But I don't know how to let the 67.120.180.121 forward to my server. HELP! :)

Rob