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Pocah

Pocah

Pocah

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Joined
11 Jul 2017
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816
I thought it would be fun to set up a website on my home PC. I understand the limitations but it's only for fun.
What I am really not sure about is how do I allow access the to appropriate folders without allowing access to the entire PC, which is something I don't really want.
I'm clueless when it comes to this, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
First off, you need to install/configure the actual web server software (IIS, Apache, etc). Setting up the website within the web server will then "host" the files/folders specified in the site.

You'd then need to port forward TCP Port 80 through from your router to your PC for it to be accessible from the outside world, although at this point it would still only be accessible via IP (external) address, as you've likely not configured any DNS addresses pointing to your IP.
 
Hyburnate said:
This really isn't a good idea.
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It's a great idea! :D

paradigm said:
First off, you need to install/configure the actual web server software (IIS, Apache, etc). Setting up the website within the web server will then "host" the files/folders specified in the site.

You'd then need to port forward TCP Port 80 through from your router to your PC for it to be accessible from the outside world, although at this point it would still only be accessible via IP (external) address, as you've likely not configured any DNS addresses pointing to your IP.
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OOh, thanks, I will look in to that then. I'm not worried about a DNS. I can happily access it via IP. This is only for fun. :D
 
Pocah said:
It's a great idea! :D



OOh, thanks, I will look in to that then. I'm not worried about a DNS. I can happily access it via IP. This is only for fun. :D
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I would suggest having at least http basic auth infront of it. You would be surprised how quickly it could get found by someone port scanning around and finding files.
 
Have a look at the free tier of MS Azure, you not only learn about web hosting but how to use some of Azure as well.

When it becomes apparent just how easy it is, hosting a site on your own machine is fun for 5 minutes, :)
 
LizardKing said:
Have a look at the free tier of MS Azure, you not only learn about web hosting but how to use some of Azure as well.

When it becomes apparent just how easy it is, hosting a site on your own machine is fun for 5 minutes, :)
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I looked at Azure and it went WOOOSH, right over my head. I didn't even understand the description of what it is, lol.
 
Do this internally, or on a single machine in a virtual environment if you want to learn this. You say it's for fun... coming from someone who understands what you mean by that, trust me it won't be fun, it'll just cause unnecessary irritation, and that's before you begin to delve in to the consequences of exposing your internal network to connection initiation from the outside.
 
Zefan said:
Do this internally on VMs if you really want to.You say it's for fun... coming from someone who understands what you mean by that, trust me it won't be fun, it'll just cause unnecessary irritation, and that's before you begin to delve in to the consequences of exposing your internal network to connection initiation from the outside.
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If you are telling me that's a pain then I will wait until I have built yet another PC and I can dedicate it to the task. I delved in to my router and I can set up secondary local networks that are completely isolated from each other, so that I guess is what I would have to do. I was hoping that it was a simple process to safely open up a few folders but obviously from what people are saying it's not.
 
Why do you have to wait to build another PC? Completely unnecessary to make one for that, when you can do this all online by just paying to have it hosted. The reason places like Squarespace and Wix manage to exist isn't by accident, it's because they offer a decent, affordable solution to a genuine problem.
 
Zefan said:
Why do you have to wait to build another PC? Completely unnecessary to make one for that, when you can do this all online by just paying to have it hosted. The reason places like Squarespace and Wix manage to exist isn't by accident, it's because they offer a decent, affordable solution to a genuine problem.
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Oh that's no fun though. I already have paid hosting, lol. This was just about something to do for fun. And I have the parts for another PC lying about, I just need a case. :D
 
If you're determined to do it, maybe take the opportunity to get in to raspberry pis. It should do the trick and will be both low power and silent.
 
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