Host On Own Computer

drag0n

If I wanted to completely host sites(domains) on my own computer with Linux, what should I do? I want to host my DNS Servers and Apache, since BIND and Apache are both built into RedHat Linux. My question is, what are the steps to hosting? I know i need a domain, but what else do I need? I have a static ip... My main concern was about the DNS Servers. What do I do? Do I need 2 IPs for primary and secondary DNS? I see that whenever I change a host they tell me to change my namneservers to like: ns1.blah.com
Do i need another domain name or something just for DNS Server? What do I do? lol Thanks in advanced for any kind of help

jerdo

You should be able to use your current domain name. And you should also be able to use your current IP for the DNS, your DNS server will just be the same as your webserver (not normal at hosting companies, but since you are running this from home no big deal). You might want to check the linux howtos for setting up your DNS, an easy place to find them would be at http://www.linux.org

drag0n

So basically as long as I have Linux installed, and have a domain name, a connection(static ip) i can completly host a website for free without any other 3rd party services?

jerdo

Yes, you will have to do some configuration on your system but it can be done.

drag0n

ud reccommand Linux.org as the source to all the info needed for Configuration?

jerdo

No, never use just one source as they all have their flaws. I was simply suggesting that you start there, or you can google for information about setting up a dns server, or get a book, etc.

stolzyboy

good luck in your venture, dns and bind can be tricky on a linux box, most hosting companies, even ones that specialize in linux hosting, use win boxes for dns, since they are really easy to setup, i however find them to be unreliable, but for simplicity and if you aren't familiar with dns at all, and the way it is used, you may want to think about setting up a lowend win box, doesn't need to be anything fancy, a 166 will even do, for your dns situation, just my 2 cents though

jerdo

Never use windows for anything other than games 🙂
Now that I let that out, seriously I wouldn't suggest using Windows for something like this, sure it's easier but it's also insecure. Windows boxes have their place but being a web/dns server isn't something I'd recommend for a MS box.

stolzyboy

i wasn't saying it was secure, i was saying for an inexperienced person trying to setup dns and bind on a nix box could be a hair pulling experience, i myself would use nix, but if i were to point a newb to setting up dns and knew they didn't have much nix background, or didn't really care to learn to much about it (not that you don't dragon), I wouldn't throw them into the nix world, that is the ONLY reason i would suggest using a win box for anything in the webserver realm

mogster

Well, why bother with the dns at all, that's my opinion 😃

If you buy a domain from a registrant, most of them offers to cheaply point it to any ip of your choice.
So as long as that ip doesn't change, you'll come off with a yearly fee to your registrant just a little more than you would by the price for maintaining the domain itself.

No hassle, and you could focus on setting up the website hosting correctly.

knutm

drag0n

Nows that im scared of even touching Linux, I think Ima give up and use Windows to host and DNS lol. Or try one of those free DNS or something.