PC as server? - Dedicated Server Hosting | VPS Hosting

bloggerbee · #1 (**permalink**) 02-13-09, 07:14

I've always understood servers to be huge and separated from the computers that use it. How does it work setting up a server on a local machine? I know it can be done but I don't understand why or how it is done.

Shane Phillips · #2 (**permalink**) 02-14-09, 11:05

Yes, it's definitely possible to setup a local test server. However, you would probably need the following in order to setup a Server :

- Windows2003 Server or Windows2008 Server or any other Operating System
- Apache or IIS
- PHP
- MySQL ( In case you need database hosted )

You will need to download and install them on to your local machine and follow basic procedure. You may try a test and let us know...

Regards,

Shane Phillips

Lazlo90 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-16-09, 17:54

As Shane pointed out, those are the most practical ways of hosting your own server but keep in mind that even if you do get a web server running you'd have to make sure that your ISP allows such a thing as if it's not allowed you could get in trouble.

I'd also only recommend those type of servers for running tests on your website locally, so can safely test out things without worrying about hackers, that is, assuming your website is not being broadcasted to the world and is only being shown in your home network.

clarabean · #4 (**permalink**) 02-17-09, 09:03

Would this be a good "practice" activity to get used to how everything works before purchasing a dedicated server? I know nothing about the workings of a server and all the server processes that I see discussed. Would the PC server be the same so that someone could learn all that stuff first?

carl owen · #5 (**permalink**) 02-17-09, 11:52

It is really not possible to use a PC as a server. It is true that a server is a computer but it includes many more processes than a computer. It is not really difficult to manage a server and you can select a server from BODhost as BODhost provides fully managed servers. If you are not sure whether you will be able to manage a Dedicated server then you can start with a basic VPS hosting package which will offer you almost all the features of a Dedicated server and costs much less.

sam · #6 (**permalink**) 02-17-09, 12:17

Yes, running a server on your home PC is bit risky but it's not impossible. Before you start setting up your home PC as a server you must make sure that your computer has all the latest patches and security updates, and also remember to scan your PC with Anti-virus.

Shane Phillips · #7 (**permalink**) 02-19-09, 08:37

Every-day Viruses is yet another issue which requires scanning servers vulnerability.

clarabean · #8 (**permalink**) 02-19-09, 09:26

Well, I know it can be done because I know people who have done it. Perhaps the poster who said it can't means that the server would not be the same as a remote server? Either way, after reading the rest of this thread, I will definitely stay away from this idea.

HappyNerd · #9 (**permalink**) 02-19-09, 21:05

I am not sure if I am talking about the same thing that you were asking but I installed XAMPP on my computer. The program enables me to create a MySql Database and to install scripts locally.

webhappy · #10 (**permalink**) 02-20-09, 10:59

Running a server from home is really fun and a great learning experience, but not as reliable or as fast of a connection as you will get with a good hosting company.

carl owen · #11 (**permalink**) 02-23-09, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by webhappy

Running a server from home is really fun and a great learning experience, but not as reliable or as fast of a connection as you will get with a good hosting company.

Accepted. Running a server from home will be a great experience for you but make sure that you do not run any mission critical website on the server as the server will not be reliable and the connection speed won't be the same as you would get with a server from a professional web hosting provider.

sam · #12 (**permalink**) 02-23-09, 14:02

I think 10Mbps connection is enough to run medium level websites.

jason s · #13 (**permalink**) 02-23-09, 15:44

Yeah you can try out 10 mbps connection if the website you are running is not a mission critical website.

Windac · #14 (**permalink**) 02-28-09, 20:19

I've had a few questions about this as well. I have a friend that has an old PC and he wants to turn it into a server. I'm wondering if it is recomended to run a server from a 6 year old computer. I'm pretty sure it isn't good enough but what else could you do with a bad computer?

bluetrance05 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-01-09, 04:52

If you use your PC as a server, you need to make sure that you are getting the package of it. A complete one, equipped with important pieces like a processor, memory or hard disk. You just install a desktop OS like Vista, XP or Mac, whatever OS you prefer.

Lazlo90 · #16 (**permalink**) 03-01-09, 14:17

If it's an old PC I'd recommend using one of those "lite" Linux distros as Windows might be too much for it.

And I also recommend that you only use it to play around with server functions and to test out some web scripts as that old machine could give out on you at any minute. However, it might not be that bad as some of my older computers have "outlived" my newer ones...

Rodricks · #17 (**permalink**) 03-01-09, 15:36

I think Centos is the best Linux distro that can be used on home PC server.

Shane Phillips · #18 (**permalink**) 03-02-09, 09:18

Older versions of Linux - centOS should work with those configurations. Try not loading much to the server or you would probably using the command : Reboot quite often.

Regards,

Shane Phillips

carl owen · #19 (**permalink**) 03-02-09, 11:37

Well, using an old computer as a server is not a bad option. However, you should make sure that you do not expect much from it and the best suggestion is "Do not run an Important website on it"

Basically, you can use it to get an experience of running a server.