Setting up a server on Windows XP Home Edition

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genetix
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Setting up a server on Windows XP Home Edition

Post by genetix »

I just bought a computer to use as a server and itcomes standard with windows XP home. I dont want to play all the money for an upgrade so I was wondering if it was possible to run apache on home?

I was told that if I use apache I should be able to run my server.

The major problem is that Windows XP Home only allows you to have 5 people connect dirrectly to your computer or so I have been told.

Can anyone give me some help? I dont even know how to download apache :roll:
qads
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Post by qads »

dont know about 5 people connecting thing, never heard of it before...

download a install kit, which will setup php, mysql and apache on your computer with few clicks, i suggest appserv, thats what i use on my XP home machine :D.
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patrikG
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Post by patrikG »

I've been using xampp for that - has pretty much all you need, even has an installer: http://www.apachefriends.org/en/
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

the 5 client thing is a basic restriction on Windows Server. It restricts how many Windows machines can be using that server as a domain controller. Don't worry about connection numbers from IPs.. it's only limited by your bandwidth.
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genetix
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Post by genetix »

I got the server up...

I can view my pages in the www directory and I can see them by going through localhost. How do I view the files from another computer? I tried http:(my ip)/index.php but that wont work.

Also. I have a domain name and I was wondering what I have to do to setup my own DNS servers so that I can connect my domain to my server folder?
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

it's a very bad idea to host a domain from an XP machine... Especially Home Edition. I'd suggest building a seperate *nix based computer if you want to do that.

Normally just typing your IP, which may be the machine's, unless you are behind a hardware firewall. In which case, you'll have to configure the router/firewall to forward HTTP traffic to your server.
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genetix
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Post by genetix »

feyd wrote:it's a very bad idea to host a domain from an XP machine... Especially Home Edition. I'd suggest building a seperate *nix based computer if you want to do that.

Normally just typing your IP, which may be the machine's, unless you are behind a hardware firewall. In which case, you'll have to configure the router/firewall to forward HTTP traffic to your server.
Why is it a bad thing to do? Low security?
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

mostly. It's designed for end users, not to be hammered by web clients a lot.
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genetix
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Post by genetix »

So I cant hook my domain up with my server securely then?
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infolock
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Post by infolock »

if you use a firewall, setup your apache server correctly, and use secure coding techniques, you'll be fine.
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

that kind of depends.
  1. Do you have a static IP?
  2. Can you find and run a DNS server on XP Home?
  3. Are you running off DSL?
  4. Does your DSL provider allow running domains from within their network?
if you answered yes to all 4 of those, it's possible to run one.

The reasoning behind those questions:
  1. You can't run a DNS server for a domain on a non-static IP. (Last I checked)
  2. I don't remember seeing or reading about any (stable) DNS servers being run off XP Home, let along XP. The Windows Server series was/is designed and built with serving in mind. They come with a DNS server.
  3. Last I checked, all the cable/satellite providers had rules against running a domain server (registered domain) from inside their networks, and dial-up is entirely unfeasable to run a domain off of.
  4. You'll have to read through your Terms of Service (ToS) Agreement your ISP provided when you signed up for the account in order to determine this one.
If you do run this domain off the machine.. get a hardware firewall, at the least, to protect the other computers in the home, and more importantly the server itself.
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infolock
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Post by infolock »

You can't run a DNS server for a domain on a non-static IP. (Last I checked)
Well, you can... there is a program out that allows you to do it ( had to run a temporary website off my home dialup box once upon a time... don't remember the name, but if you search google, i'm sure it will be on the first page or 2. otherwise, just look for one at http://www.download.com. is where i ended up getting ti anways )


edit :

here's the link:

http://www.download.com/3120-20-0.html? ... s&tg=dl-20


edit 2:

No-IP was the provider i used btw... can't believe i didn't remember it lmao..

http://www.no-ip.com/ <--- Recommended. They rule.
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feyd
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Post by feyd »

looks like a large portion of those, if not all of them, will use a company's DNS services to change the IP it resolves to when you connect or whatever.. I was talking about running a DNS server off said dynamic IP machine.

If I read those descriptions wrong, or you read my post wrong, apologies.
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genetix
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Post by genetix »

I'm on the phone with my ISP right now but just to answer a few other questions...

I do currently have a router(thus why I can only connect to my server with localhost.)

I also have a static IP

My ISP tech support guy just told me I can host a dns server.

I'm also running on a cable connection.
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genetix
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Post by genetix »

Wheres a good place to get the software to run a DNS server?
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