A basic guide on setting up a home-based web server
Apr 08, '09 07:30:01AM
Contributed by: Anonymous
If you've got any interest in setting up a Mac mini (or other Mac) as a web server in your home, I wrote up my experiences doing just that. I cover how to use:
- dyndns.com to set up a domain name.
- The built-in OS X web server to serve pages.
- PureFTP to set up an FTP server.
- SquirrelMail to read my Gmail, which is blocked at work.
- WebMon (Leopard, Tiger) to set up a WebDAV server to sync iCal and Outlook calendars between home and work.
Read the blog entry for more detail on each of these solutions.
[robg adds: While the above guide is a good 'getting started' primer on setting up a home-based web server, note that many ISPs won't allow you to run a web server on a home connection plan. Even if it's not prohibited, many home connections lack the upload bandwidth to effectively serve pages to more than a handful of users at one time.
So as technically cool as it is to run a server from your own home (and I keep one running, but restrict access to my own use via password protection), there are many free and low cost hosting companies that offer better connectivity along with all (and usually more) of the above features. I host our family's site and my personal blog using 1and1.com, for instance, but there are literally thousands of companies to pick from. Sites such as Web Hosting Geeks and Upper Host list some of the best-rated providers, and I'm sure the readers here have lots of suggestions for those looking to start hosting a site.]
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