How to Run A Webserver From Your Computer
Find your web server computer., Get a good web server program., Configure the web server., Create a basic main page to test the server.,Check that you can see the website from http://127.0.0.1/.,Get a friend to test your site on http://yourWANip/...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Find your web server computer.
The computer should be able to store a lot of information.
The processor is not very important.
If you have a router, the computer should be directly connected to that router and not wireless to minimize server downtime. -
Step 2: Get a good web server program.
The program runs the web server so it is very important.
If possible, find a program that can run in the background without making your computer unusable.
One of the more popular web servers is Apache. , Normally the web server program has a guide on how to do this. , Make sure that you put this file in your web server's document path and name it as one of the index files. , If you see the site continue to the next step.
If your server does not run on port 80 then test your site on http://127.0.0.1:portnumber/.
You may need to reconfigure your web server if you can't see this site at all. , If he/she sees the site then continue on.
If not, check some of the tips. , If you have a dynamic ip, make sure that the domain registrar has dynamic DNS services. , If you want to use server-side scripting you will need to install those applications and configure them in your server. -
Step 3: Configure the web server.
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Step 4: Create a basic main page to test the server.
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Step 5: Check that you can see the website from http://127.0.0.1/.
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Step 6: Get a friend to test your site on http://yourWANip/.
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Step 7: Purchase a domain and set it to your WAN ip.
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Step 8: Make your site.
Detailed Guide
The computer should be able to store a lot of information.
The processor is not very important.
If you have a router, the computer should be directly connected to that router and not wireless to minimize server downtime.
The program runs the web server so it is very important.
If possible, find a program that can run in the background without making your computer unusable.
One of the more popular web servers is Apache. , Normally the web server program has a guide on how to do this. , Make sure that you put this file in your web server's document path and name it as one of the index files. , If you see the site continue to the next step.
If your server does not run on port 80 then test your site on http://127.0.0.1:portnumber/.
You may need to reconfigure your web server if you can't see this site at all. , If he/she sees the site then continue on.
If not, check some of the tips. , If you have a dynamic ip, make sure that the domain registrar has dynamic DNS services. , If you want to use server-side scripting you will need to install those applications and configure them in your server.
About the Author
Gregory Taylor
Brings years of experience writing about home improvement and related subjects.
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