How can I set up a server?

[WeatherMan]

Hi peeps,

I have been thinking about starting up an online website hosting service for some mates, plus my dad thinks it would be a good idea plus he would also use it and pay me for it , Im just wondering what I would need!

I would like my own server, (probably an old thing off of ebay) and I have a few questions.

1) Would I need something like Windows Server 2003 to operate this machine?
2) When I connect it to my home network how would I make the pages, is It all done in Windows Server edition or do I need an appilcation like Macromedia.
3) How would I host it, do I need to go to a online company and host my domain? so when people want to access it they would find it on the web through my hosting company and come to my server to access the pages?

Cos I dont want to have my pages stored on someone elses server, I would like it to be on mine so people can access the site on my server at home that is online, just want to know how to do this without to much expense (without my files and stuff having to be on the hosts server).

Thanks
Jason

 

[WeatherMan]

Im basically trying to ask.

I have a server ( soon )
I connect it to my router on my AOL connection
How do I set a number of pages up on the internet so people can make sites?

 

[lee101]

1) Would I need something like Windows Server 2003 to operate this machine?

Linux is a popular OS for servers, and it is free so would sva eyou a few hundred ££

2) When I connect it to my home network how would I make the pages, is It all done in Windows Server edition or do I need an appilcation like Macromedia.

You would need to install a FTP server on the server, that would allow both you and your clients to access and change the files, then i would reccomend dreamweaver if you have a large budget, or something like http://www.nvu.com/ which is free and similar

3) How would I host it, do I need to go to a online company and host my domain? so when people want to access it they would find it on the web through my hosting company and come to my server to access the pages?

Firstly, you would probably need to get a better connection than AOL, something like T1 that has a decent upload speed and a static IP address, then you would set up your router, assuming that you have one, to forward the ports to your routers local IP address. And as for a domain, you just purchase one and setup the dns (i think) to forward to your static IP address

It all sounds complicated, but isn't too hard. try googling, ther are probably some tutorials somewhere

Lee