| Are you disgusted or disappointed with your current | | | | be well prepared and if you host other server |
| web host? Have you switched web hosting | | | | options or websites on the same server then you will |
| companies too many times? Have you thought of | | | | have better performance. At the time of this writing |
| hosting your own website(s)? Do you have the | | | | the 64-bit platform is the processor direction. 3.8GHz |
| ambition to control and manage your own web | | | | is the most available speed. If your pockets can |
| server? | | | | afford the latest technologies then that is ideal, but |
| If you answered 'yes' to the questions above, then | | | | keep in mind at this particular time a 64-bit |
| you may be ready to host your own sites. This | | | | compatible processor is not necessary, without |
| article will give you things to consider while making | | | | having many applications that require or deliver on |
| the switch. | | | | that platform. That is a lot of speed going no where |
| When being your own web host you should be | | | | fast. Also, remember the power of the 64-bit |
| technically inclined and have basic knowledge of | | | | platform and the greater the processor speed the |
| operating systems, understand technical terms, | | | | more heat it produces, therefore it must be cooled |
| understand how to setup a server environment (such | | | | much more rapidly and efficiently. At this time a dual |
| as: DNS, IIS, Apache, etc.) have basic knowledge of | | | | 32-bit, 2.8GHz ?C 3.2GHz processor will suffice (even |
| scripting languages and databases (PHP, Perl, MySQL, | | | | that is way more than enough). Though, if your |
| etc.), be familiar with current technologies, and have | | | | pockets can afford it then the latest and greatest |
| a basic understanding of hardware and server | | | | would be fine, you will be well prepared. Otherwise, |
| components. | | | | do like most people and upgrade when the time |
| You should realize the pros & cons. It is one thing to | | | | comes. |
| say, you want to host your own web server and it is | | | | * Make sure you have a CD/RW drive. A floppy disk |
| another thing to actually do it. | | | | drive is not needed, but I do recommend it for |
| Pros: | | | | making system restore disk. The CD/RW drive is |
| * Own sense of responsibility | | | | needed because you need some type of removable |
| * Awareness level raised (you are at the frontline of | | | | storage device. You never know when you need to |
| all server happenings) | | | | install a driver from a different location??like a |
| * No monthly hosting fees/accounts | | | | ethernet driver. An external CD/RW drive is the best |
| * Incompetence no longer exist | | | | option, especially if you have multiple machines. |
| * Non-shared environment (dedicated server) | | | | * Choose your operating system carefully. Choose |
| * Unlimited websites, databases, content, storage, | | | | the vendor which you are most comfortable with. Do |
| etc. | | | | not choose a MAC if you never used a MAC before. |
| * More bandwidth | | | | Just because your friend suggests it and says it is a |
| * No more waiting on someone else time | | | | piece of cake does not mean it will be for you. You |
| * Complete control | | | | are trying to get a web server online not re-learn a |
| Cons: | | | | whole new system. Stay focused and grounded. If |
| * Exhausting at times | | | | you are comfortable with Microsoft then go with |
| * Faced with server/hardware problems | | | | Microsoft, regardless if the IT person at your job |
| * ISP business account (monthly business/broadband | | | | says Microsoft products are unsecure, Linux or Unix |
| expense) | | | | is more secure and much better for a web server. If |
| * If server goes down then the website is offline | | | | you have never used Linux or (especially) Unix then |
| * No technical support team | | | | you will be in for a ride of your life. Your web server |
| * Software, hardware, and network expenses | | | | experience will soon become a nightmare and you will |
| There could be many more pros & cons but I??ve | | | | have wasted thousands of dollars on equipment. Go |
| pointed out some of the major ones. Managing a | | | | with what you know, not what you are told. Each |
| web server starts as a full time job, you must | | | | platform has its pros and cons: Microsoft is the |
| constantly monitor its performance and security. This | | | | user-friendly of them all; Mac is the web/graphic |
| can sometimes be an exhausting task, especially if | | | | developer of them all; Linux is the open-source |
| you currently have other responsibilities. Though, the | | | | developers paradise of them all; Unix is the most |
| control you will have over your website and its | | | | secure of them all. Each of them can be tweaked in |
| performance is rewarding enough. You no longer | | | | ways to provide a solid, quality platform, it is best to |
| have to wait for technical support or approval to | | | | stick with what you already know. |
| install a script onto the server. You can have as | | | | * You should install on your system all the web |
| many websites and databases you want, as long as | | | | services (such as: Apache, IIS, etc.), applications |
| your hardware can handle it. You no longer have to | | | | (such as: backup device software, RAID (Array) |
| go into the discussion forums and search for the | | | | Manager), scripting languages (such as: PHP, Perl, etc.), |
| best web host or rant about how much you hate | | | | CGI, Database (such as: MySQL, Microsoft SQL, etc.), |
| your current host. You can even begin hosting family | | | | and a web log analyzer (such as: weblog expert, |
| & friends personal websites. | | | | nihuo, etc.). It is also recommended to perform |
| Ask yourself, how technically advanced are you? | | | | system updates, security patches, and firewall installs |
| Many times you do not have to be a tech guru or | | | | and configurations. It is sometimes best to leave the |
| anything of the sort, but you must be very | | | | security installs and configurations for after you have |
| resourceful. You must know how to find resolutions | | | | the system functioning properly to avoid any |
| and answers to problems, quickly and efficiently. This | | | | uncalculated problems. This way when you install the |
| means you must be internet savvy. Not just the | | | | firewall and something stops working properly like |
| average surfer, who surfs aimlessly, but you must be | | | | connecting to your website from outside your |
| the surfer who can always find what they are | | | | network, you can troubleshoot assuming that it is the |
| looking for. This is key, because with any server | | | | firewall, therefore you would begin by opening port |
| environment you are going to run into problems and | | | | 80 on the firewall. This method can save you a lot of |
| finding the answers are most accomplished online, | | | | hassle, but can sometimes be considered the |
| using multiple resources, search techniques, and | | | | unsecure method, especially if you don??t have a |
| engines. Sure you can hire someone to fix your | | | | hardware firewall already in place. |
| problems, but as we should have learned from the | | | | Next, there are a few things to consider before |
| "web hosting", having someone do it for you isn't | | | | installing and configuring a server. Where to put it? A |
| always the best option. Here is a test to see if you | | | | secluded, cool location is ideal, but if this cannot be |
| are ready to find solutions. I need a solution to a | | | | accomplished then adjustments can be made. |
| Microsoft Windows 2003 Server Event Error - "Event | | | | Where to put it? |
| ID: 1056?? it??s a DHCP Server Error. How would you | | | | * Locate a location within your home that is |
| search? Go ahead find the solution. | | | | static-free, we do not want to put the server on the |
| Did you first go to Google? If you did, that was a | | | | carpet, near curtains, or anything else that can |
| nice effort and common for most, plus a good place | | | | produce a static reaction. The reason for this is that |
| to start, but usually it is best to start at the | | | | you do not want the server internal components to |
| developers' website. In this case "microsoft.com" | | | | receive a static charge and short circuit. |
| would have been the first option. Why? Google | | | | * The location should be a cool environment, |
| would more than likely provide you with the answer | | | | preferably below room temperature. The reason for |
| from Microsoft and other sources, but you don't | | | | a cool area is because servers (as well as desktop |
| want to get inaccurate information from other | | | | computers) produce large amounts of heat, the more |
| sources. It is common to get information from | | | | heat it produces the more it needs to cool off. If the |
| Microsoft that would not specifically resolve your | | | | server is not kept cool, then this can lead to the |
| problem, but the developer should always be your | | | | server hanging and then eventually crashing. It's the |
| first place to search for the answers. Now search | | | | same result of when a car overheats, it stops |
| the error again and go to the Microsoft site and find | | | | running. You can keep a server internal components |
| the solution. | | | | cool by keeping the room cool, additionally you can |
| You should had found this link: (Event ID 1056 is | | | | add more fans to the server which cools the server |
| Logged after installing DHCP) | | | | internal components, you can also position a |
| What search phrase did you use? It should have | | | | standalone fan directly at the server back panel and |
| been Event ID: 1056, because the Event ID is the | | | | constantly have the fan cool the server internal |
| exact error, it pinpoints your exact problem without | | | | components. Depending on how cool your room is |
| broadening your search. Sometimes the error | | | | and how much heat your server produces, getting |
| description is also appropriate to search, just the | | | | more fans for your server may be a must and not |
| error description by itself or in combination with the | | | | an option. |
| Event ID. It depends on your error, your search | | | | * It is suggested that the server is at a higher level |
| feedback, your ability, and technique. For this | | | | within your house (mid-floor), because if it is in the |
| example I did not include the error description. | | | | basement and a flood occurs it could ruin it. If it is in |
| Google or Yahoo! should have been your second | | | | the attic and the sun beams on the attic for hours |
| option (the two largest search engines). Then search | | | | the server could overheat. Mid-floor level is usually |
| other smaller and niche search engines. A good | | | | the cooler place within the home, but these |
| search site which makes use of Google??s operator | | | | recommendations is optional and you should put the |
| tags is Next you should search within forums and | | | | server in the most comfortable and convenient space |
| discussion groups. If you are pretty internet savvy | | | | following the rest of the guidelines. |
| and have a plentiful or few forums and discussion | | | | * Be sure the area you choose is not damp or wet |
| groups which you frequent then you might actually | | | | (no leaks, moisture, near any liquids, or near a |
| visit those places before visiting Google or Yahoo!. | | | | window ??especially open??). We all know what can |
| You can even visit those before visiting the | | | | happen when electrical components get wet. |
| developer site since it is a trusted source, but I | | | | * The server should sit at least 4?? inches from the |
| wouldn't recommend it, I still would go to the | | | | ground |
| developers' site first. Okay, so now we have planted | | | | * Be sure a working electrical outlet is near. It is an |
| our feet and have familiarized ourselves with being | | | | important to have a power supply, a good brand is |
| internet (search) savvy. We are ready to purchase a | | | | APC. Having a power supply can save you from |
| server! | | | | electrical outages, blackouts, and brownouts. Having a |
| When making a server purchase you need to | | | | power supply helps the server keep its power, |
| consider a few things before doing so. What to buy? | | | | remain stable, and unaffected when there is an |
| A top of the line, quadruple processor, and super | | | | outage, as well it protects your server against |
| fast turbo server is always ideal, but many times it is | | | | electrical shock. If your outage remains more than 5 |
| not logical or affordable. Therefore, you need to | | | | minutes it is recommended to begin backing up |
| weigh your options (sensibly). | | | | anything deemed important and shut the computer |
| What to buy? | | | | down voluntarily as well as any other electrical |
| * First determine your budget. Be realistic and expect | | | | attached devices. |
| to spend at least $2,500 for a low-end server. For a | | | | * Have a LAN line near and also a phone jack (if you |
| low-end, quality server with other needed equipment | | | | plan on using the server for any dial-up services). It is |
| and services I spent a little over $4,500 easily. | | | | not recommended to use your web service with a |
| * Determine your ISP (broadband) provider. Research | | | | dial-up connection. A broadband connection or greater |
| and speak with several different vendors before | | | | is recommend for optimal performance. The LAN line |
| deciding which broadband solution best suit your | | | | should never come from your wall and plug directly |
| needs. Each provider plan is different and has | | | | into your server, it should plug into a hardware |
| different benefits, determine the best one which fits | | | | firewall (usually a router with a built-in firewall). |
| your needs. Bandwidth should be put into | | | | * Depending on the size of the server and the |
| consideration when choosing your ISP. | | | | internal components the server may be extremely |
| * A backup device should be purchased before | | | | noisy and loud, especially with the fans going. It is |
| implementing a server install. The backup device | | | | suggested to have the server in a secluded location |
| should be double the server storage space. This could | | | | which is not near any peaceful area of the house, |
| be a standalone unit like an external hard drive or | | | | such as: bedroom. |
| network storage device or the backup device could | | | | Those are all some basic things to consider before |
| be multiple devices such as: backup tapes, disc, etc. | | | | hosting your own server. Hosting your own server is |
| The reason the backup device should be larger is | | | | not an easy task, but once you have had some time |
| because you want to be able to have months worth | | | | and experience with it, it becomes a breeze. You will |
| of backups and not just weekly or monthly backups. | | | | have a better web hosting experience, you will be |
| You should have at least 24 weeks of backups | | | | more in tune and reliant to your customers, and you |
| without the concern of storage space. The backup | | | | will gain greater technical aptitude. Hosting your own |
| device or safe deposits should also be external, | | | | web server is rewarding, useful, and gives you the |
| removable, and portable. This is so the backups can | | | | opportunity to host unlimited websites, databases, |
| be stored in a remote location. Usually for | | | | services, etc. |
| safe-keeping, in event of a theft or disaster. | | | | If your web traffic becomes too great for your |
| * Determine your daily traffic goal (the daily traffic | | | | server then it is recommended to choose an offsite |
| which you hope to see within 1 year ?C be realistic), | | | | web host. It is recommend to purchase a dedicated |
| divide that number by the daily traffic you currently | | | | server with a quality web host. If you choose a |
| receive, and then multiply that number by 5. That is | | | | server with the above recommendations then your |
| the total number of GB space you need. | | | | server traffic should be fine for at least up to |
| Example: | | | | 25,000,000 page views per month. It could be |
| Daily Traffic Goal: 10,000 (Divided by) Current Daily | | | | greater or less depending on your operating system, |
| Traffic: 500 (Times X) 5 = 100GB | | | | your server configuration, performance, applications, |
| In the example you should purchase a 100GB Hard | | | | and services. The point is you should be well in a |
| Drive, it is best to buy 2 or more drives oppose to 1. | | | | position to purchase dedicated server space by the |
| In this case, since 50GB drives do not exist or harder | | | | time your traffic gets too high, because if you are |
| to find, you would buy two 60GB drives giving you a | | | | getting anything close to 1,000,000 page views a |
| total of 120GB. 2 or more drives are usually needed in | | | | month you should have some competitive advertising |
| a server to configure the proper RAID option, in | | | | or ecommerce income. And plus, with the knowledge |
| some cases 3 or more are needed. Your backup | | | | you will gain from the experience you will be able to |
| storage space should be a minimum capacity of | | | | support your own server at a dedicated server |
| 200GB (or 240GB, optional). | | | | (remote) location, thus cutting more overhead. |
| * Determine your memory. If your web server daily | | | | The biggest disadvantage of hosting your own web |
| traffic goal is 500,000 then I would recommend at | | | | server is the uptime reliability. If your web server |
| least 2GB worth of memory. If it is a shared server, | | | | powers down for any reason then your website is |
| meaning it also has other server services running on | | | | offline. Usually web hosting companies have methods |
| the machine, especially a mail server or database | | | | and networks to prevent this failure from affecting |
| server (which is not recommended) then your | | | | your website. Usually if the system goes down they |
| memory should at least be 3GB or more. Otherwise | | | | have a mirror location where your site is rejuvenated |
| you can think small and upgrade as needed, a 1GB | | | | and doesn??t experience much downtime. Some web |
| memory stick should be fine for starters. | | | | hosts do not practice this method or any other fault |
| * Determine your network components, which NIC | | | | tolerance. Imagine if a blackout or power outage |
| card best performs under high traffic levels and | | | | occurs, then your web server could be down for |
| which router best performs for your LAN / web | | | | hours or even days, this can affect your business |
| server. It is best to get a router which has a built-in | | | | greatly. There are some hosting companies who |
| firewall (commonly known as a ??hardware firewall??). | | | | provide mirror web hosting for a small fee, I |
| Your ISP may provide you with a router or hardware | | | | haven??t found one that is reliable yet. Or you could |
| firewall, this is how they are able to authorize your | | | | cross your fingers and hope for the best, until you |
| traffic on their network. Like a cable box does for | | | | are able to host your server outside your home on a |
| cable television. The router also shares your IP | | | | larger network. |
| address with other clients on your network. This | | | | Hosting your own server usually is not a |
| enables you to share your internet connection | | | | money-saving experience. It sometimes cost more to |
| without having to get a different IP from your ISP. | | | | host your own server, when you total the up keep |
| The hardware firewall is simply a router with a built-in | | | | and maintenance. The benefit of hosting your own |
| firewall, which means it shares your IP address as | | | | server is usually a better platform for your |
| well as provides added protection to your network. It | | | | customers, because it is no longer a shared server |
| blocks bad addresses and ports at the forefront, | | | | and it gives you the ability to make global changes |
| before it can even make it to your computer. It is | | | | almost instantaneously. When your customers |
| not recommended to rely only on a hardware firewall | | | | request more performance or specific applications, |
| for security, this is just the first step. It is | | | | then you will be able to implement this immediately. |
| recommended to also include a software firewall | | | | Customers like to know that you are in control. If |
| (firewall software which installs on your computer) | | | | you tell your customers that the server will be down |
| and it is recommended to continue timely security | | | | for maintenance from 6 a.m. ?C 7 a.m. then it would |
| practices, such as updating and patching your system | | | | be best if that is when your server is down, not |
| on a scheduled routine. | | | | from 5 a.m. ?C 10 a.m. You know how your web |
| * Determine your processor speed and power. | | | | host will tell you one thing and then you have to try |
| Regardless of the amount of traffic you are | | | | explaining it to your customer. In the end it will |
| expecting I would recommend a dual processor or | | | | benefit you to host your own web server as a web |
| greater. A dual processor or greater is best because | | | | business, this helps you and your customers. |
| if your website unexpectedly take off then you will | | | | |