How can I set up a local/testing web server?

Question

I just installed ubuntu on an old computer of mine, and now I'd like to set it up as a LAN web server. I'm going to install LAMP, which I think I can manage, but after that I'm a bit lost.

Beyond installing apache, what things will I need to do to allow incoming connections?

I have several CAT5 ethernet cables and a router... can I somehow connect these together so that my other computers can connect to the server?

Would I hook the server into the "Internet" slot of the router?

Alternatively, could I simply connect one computer to the server with a CAT5 cable?

Answer 1

The question is do you want to be able to get to this computer from the Internet?

If you don't, what you would want to do is connect all of your PC's including the server to the router's LAN ports. If the router has only one LAN port or not enough LAN ports you will need a hub or switch, you don't want to use the internet port for your PCs or server. You may want to give the server a static (manually set) IP address so you don't have to guess at the IP address. You don't really need to make any changes at the router, just make sure your internet connection is plugged into the Internet port. (If you don't have an internet connection, just leave the internet port empty. You will just use the switch built into the router and don't need to worry about the internet port.)

If you want to be able to get to the server from the Internet, follow most of the instructions above, but you will need to give the server a static IP on your network. Then in the router you will need to enable port forwarding of port 80 to the IP address of the server. You will then be able to access the server from the internet using your external IP (if you don't know it go to whatsmyip.org, depending on your ISP your external IP may change).

You probably don't want to hook the server into the internet port on the router because that will put the server on a different network from your PC network (since a router is made to route information between networks, it also separates networks and would make it harder to get to the server).

Answer 2

Connect all the computers to the router. You should give your PCs IP addresses so they can find each other on the network. And preferably hostnames too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_network

The 'Internet' slot would be for the PC that's going to act as the gateway/firewall/proxy server for access to the Internet. This server would need two network cards with two IP addresses; one for the internal LAN and one for the Internet, or you would have to set up IP masquerading on one LAN card.

Internet <-> DSL router <-> Gateway PC <-> Router/Hub <-> Internal network.

However, it sounds like you've only got a DSL router to allow you to connect to an ISP DSL service. You'll need to buy a router/hub to set up a private LAN.

Once you've set up the physical connections, you should just be able to type http:// in the browser and access the web pages.

Answer 3

LAMP is a fantastic choice. However when you setup a server as local server it means it only runs on your PC and can be access only by your PC. Local server are use for testing purposes.

If you want to setup your Apache server as accessible by other, you need to setup an IP number preferably fixed. The problem with that is that fix IP can be expensive and offered only for business purposes by Internet provider.

.That's why a lot of people use Web hosting which come with
a control panel and features that include Apache PHP and mysql

Also keep in mind that if you want to setup a server home it will have to be on all days & nights and you will need to increase its bandwitsh in order to have a fast loading.

Just keep your LAMP as your local server , learn how to use Apache , how to program in PHP and learn how to create a database.

Good luck,

Joe..

Answer 4

Did you started your httpd on your machine?? If not start it first. If your other computers are in the same LAN as your web server, you need not to do any specific things. you can try
http://
You will be able view your web pages.

Answer 5

In abode windows IIS is universal as webserver , for setting up IIS, a million. flow to characteristic/eliminate abode windows elements 2.installation IIS 3. position ur internet information contained in the folder c:inetpubwwroot 4. in IIS manager ( u can see at administrative equipment) style the call at default internet website. (ie. ur abode web page call that u r already placed contained in the wwroot folder) 5. commence the service