website & email server

[Livzz]

hey guys

i have an unused desktop, its a P4 with about 512mb ram (i think)...

do you reckon i could use it to host a couple of websites, and run an email server?

i'm part of an international conservation organisation, and we need some sort of infrastructure - a reliable way to keep in touch.

for example - we have a management group of about 10 people... so it would be really handy to just send an email to [email protected], and have it go to all of the management group.
similarly, we have a volunteer base of about 100 people, so an address like [email protected] would also be really useful.

all i have is a home broadband connection, and an unused computer.

will i need a 'server' operating system? if so, will it have appropriate software to run the websites and email server?

sorry if this doesnt make much sense...

thanks for your help!
Paul

 

[patrickv]

hey guys

i have an unused desktop, its a P4 with about 512mb ram (i think)...

not enough get more ram

do you reckon i could use it to host a couple of websites, and run an email server?

yes

i'm part of an international conservation organisation, and we need some sort of infrastructure - a reliable way to keep in touch.

for example - we have a management group of about 10 people... so it would be really handy to just send an email to [email protected], and have it go to all of the management group.
similarly, we have a volunteer base of about 100 people, so an address like [email protected] would also be really useful.

all i have is a home broadband connection, and an unused computer.

You'd have to speak with your ISP regarding the emails

will i need a 'server' operating system? if so, will it have appropriate software to run the websites and email server?

Yup, windows server**series will do + apache and all it's modules

 

[Livzz]

how much ram do you reckon i'll need?

I've already looked into apache, i'll definitely use that to host the websites... Will i need to pay for domain registration, or is there some other way to get a unique domain?

after looking at apache's websites, it appears that windows XP Pro will be sufficient - do you reckon it will be good enough? cos i really dont want to cough up for a new operating system...

about the emails - are you sure i cant set something up myself? if I've got my own domain (eg www.domain.org) being run on my own computer, it seems odd that i cant also host an email system

 

[dragon2309]

you dont need to run a server OS to be able to host websites at all, any mainstream OS such as XP or vista will suffice for what your doing

you may want to look into using WAMP, instead of a stand alone version of apache, its already configured and comes with PHP modules already installed, no extra config needed

Some ISP's block the ports required to set up your own mail server, you'd need to ask them about this.

With reference to domains, if you have a home broadband connection you wil be using a dynamic IP system, meaning your IP address changes every so often, this means a normal domain registering system is fairly useless, as it resolves to the IP you give it (which is constantly changing, tiw ould be always pointing to the wrong place)

Look into something called DynamicDNS (dyndns.org if i remember correctly) what this does is use a free domain and keeps track of your ever-changing IP address, so whenvever it changes, the domain updates and you have no downtime.

 

[Livzz]

i'm intending on having the old computer running constantly, but i guess if i need to turn it off or restart then the IP address could change...

What do you suggest? ideally i would have a website at www.domain.org, with an email system such as [email protected], [email protected] etc...

i found this program - hMailServer... can it do what i want?

 

[dragon2309]

the IP address is assined to the line you use to connect, not the pc that your connecting with, so even if the PC stayed on 24/7 all that needs to happen is for your ISP to resync your broadband line and you'll have a different IP...

It can take upto 7 working days for DNS settings (the resolution between domain and IP) to propogate (become active in everyones browsers), this is what dynamic dns services get around.

To be honest, with the prices of cheap hosting these days, there isnt really a proper reason why anyone should be running semi-serious solutions on home-hosting

 

[tlarkin]

I can tell you right now any local ISP will not like you running a mail server on their network. Trust me I know this first hand, and have been warned several times in the past for it.

Why not just pay for hosting? I go through www.phpwebhosting.com for my personal website and I have to pay 9.95 per a month for:

-unlimited web space
-unlimited email accounts
-unlimited sub domains
-FTP, SSH, SFTP access
-Every web app you would want (apache, php, mysql, etc etc)
-unmonitored bandwidth (as long as you aren't crashing the servers they don't care how much bandwidth you use)
-free email tech support and they will call you if email is not an option

I have been using them for a few months now and they are great. You don't have to maintain anything either, they do all of that on their end. Running xamp on windows sucks and with 512mb of RAM I wouldn't want to touch it, let alone the limited and very capped bandwidth that you would have hosting it out of your own home.

Seriously, what is 10 bucks a month? I spend 10 bucks a month on random crap every month. If I just quit buying a few random things I can save 10 bucks in a day or two. Heck if I don't eat out for 1 to 2 days in a row I will save 10 bucks right there.