can i host a web site from my p.c.? if yes so how?

Answer 1

Yes!

It depends on what type of website it is (programming language). For example, if you're planning on doing a PHP website, you will need to install PHP on your computer.

If you're not, all you need is to install Apache. Some people find that tedious so you can download EasyPHP, which will install both PHP and Apache (and the database mysql) and is VERY easy to use.

EasyPHP website: http://www.easyphp.org/?lang=en
Download EasyPHP: http://www.easyphp.org/telechargements.php3 and click on EasyPHP 1.8 under 'Current Version'

All you will need to do is download, install and open that program. Then, anyone will be able to access (or maybe not depending on your firewall settings) your website by using your IP as the address.

To get your IP address: http://www.whatismyipaddress.com/

Then, you need to keep your computer open as long as you want your website to be online*.

If you can't always keep your PC connected to the internet, make sure you have an IP that does not change each time you disconnect from and reconnect to the internet (a dynamic IP is an IP that changes that way).

* I would contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and ask them about keeping the internet connection open 24x7.

Answer 2

Certainly. There are a variety of webservers available for any PC operating system you might be using. If you have XP pro for example, it comes with a webserver you can install. There's also Apache (see link below) which is by far the most popular webserver, and is free and opensource.

The bigger issues involve, how willl people access your site? A website is a bit like a house that people can come to. They need a directory where they can look up your name and address, and the site needs to be located in a place where people can find you.

In other words, it's best if you have a static IP, and you also need a Domain name, and DNS servers that people can use to find your webserver.

Last but not least, any server you run, needs upstream capacity. Consumer broadband assume that you will consume services rather than provide them. In other words, consumer broadband for the most part is not designed for hosting.

One other issue is that, in putting a PC out on the web, and inviting people to come to it, you are opening the door to people, who may have bad intentions. Those people may be attempting to break into your system anyways, but any access you provide gets them a lot closer, and opens many more avenues of potential explotiation. For these reasons, most people that host a webserver, do it through a hosting company. There are very low cost hosting plans available, so there's really very little reason to host your own webserver, especially if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

Answer 3

There are a few steps involved.

First, you have to find out if your ISP even allows it. Most typically don't have a limit, or have a very large one on downloads (from the Internet to your PC), but may have much tighter limits on uploads (your PC to the Internet), which is what you'll be doing if you have your own site. Also, most broadband connections are much slower going up than down. If you plan to host a lot of large files on your site, your users will be crawling. If your current one doesn't support, you can go shopping around for a new ISP.

Second, install a web browser on your computer. I'm not sure what versions of Windows have IIS (Internet Information Server), but you could always download Apache for Windows. You will need a decently powerful machine to handle anything more than a few concurrent users.

Third, you have to get a static IP from your ISP. Otherwise, everytime you connect to the internet, your address can change, and you won't be able to register a domain like "www.mysupersite.com". Anyone wanting to use your website would constantly have to contact you for the current address.

Fourth, register a domain, unless you just want people to use the numeric IP, like 101.0.45.220, instead of a name. There are many services that will register a domain for about $10/year.

Fifth, build your webpage, using whatever tools you like.

Finally, get traffic... make big money! :-)

Answer 4

If you have a DSL or cable connection (you could with dialup but it would be slow), yes you can (but be sure not violate your ISP's bandwidth polices). You will need a web server, such as IIS (comes with Windows) or Apache. Once you install the web server, you can then point people to them over the current IP you have from your ISP (unless you have a static IP).

A link below to how to install Apache in Windows..

Answer 5

You really don't want to do that because your ISP might disable your account because if you get too many people hitting your website your breaking the contract you have with them. best to to host it on one of the many free hosting sites and if you don't want banners you can google website hosts and find several free ones.

Answer 6

Folow the following links

http://www.no-ip.com/support/guides/web_servers
/setting_up_iis.html

Or

http://www.connectedhomemag.com/HomeOffice/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=24756

You will get all the details

Answer 7

yes, install a webserver on your computer.