Host your own website?

Adrianhenry

Member
Have you ever set up a web server and hosted your own website on it?
It is easy to have it hosted on a web hosting? what things do I need to make this work?
 

RDO Servers

Active Member
When you get a web server (VPS or dedicated), you need to setup your web server software(Apache, nginx, IIS, etc) & database server (MySQL, MSSQL, marionDB, etc)

From here, there are many other things you may need to do, it just depends on what you need for your website. Install SSL certificates, email server, Caching, firewall, etc, etc, etc.

You can also install a control panel (cPanel, Plesk, etc) which will make a lot of these tasks much easier.

"Is it easy", well that depends on your experience, and your willingness to learn!

Another option is to get a managed server, or hire outsourced server support that will handle these initial setup tasks for you, and help with problems along the way.
 

Hostlumina

Active Member
Have you ever set up a web server and hosted your own website on it?
It is easy to have it hosted on a web hosting? what things do I need to make this work?

Depending on your experience... It will either be easy or difficult. Regardless, if it's something you want to do and learn...... everyone starts at some point.

Some key items to keep in mind in regards running a server in general:
  • Security
  • Monitoring for any compromises
  • Software
  • Optimization
As it appears you are more curious and possibly looking to learn, here is my recommendation:

Learn about what each of the following at what they exactly do:

Linux operating system: CentOS (to start)
Bind - DNS Server
Courier - IMAP/POP3 Mail server
MYSQL or MariaDB - Database Server
PureFTP - FTP Server
Apache - Webserver
APF, mod_security, chkrootkit - Security scripts
Spamassassin - Email Filter
ClamAV - scans for Trojans, viruses, malware, etc...


  • Get yourself a cheap server and if you have the money, get a server that will handle cPanel VPS
Why cPanel? It will make it a lot easier to get the basics installed automatically and they have a good basic documentation to get started on and you can find many online to further assist. You can get a 15 day trial to get this basics down if you have and willing to commit a few hours day to play around with cPanel and I would highly encourage some SSH.
  • Get familiar with the VPS console of your provider as this will help you either choose a different OS to learn or reinstall your OS.
  • Once that trail runs out you can either purchase a VPS cPanel license or take it to the next level to learn how to do everything manually that cPanel did for you. (you can always start with the manual way of course ;) before using cPanel or a control panel)
  • If you choose to proceed with doing everything manually. Search through Google for a Server setup guide and/or Server setup guide for WordPress. (keep in mind that some might be outdated so some of the commands/options might be slightly different and will require extra research)
  • Once you have the VPS running, continue to learn with optimizing your database, apache, creating email accounts, changing your SSH port (should be done ASAP as part of security), how to further secure your VPS, etc...
One last thing to add in regards control panels, if you decide to go the free route the recommended one is webmin. You will see others like Kloxo and zpanel however they are full of security vulnerabilities. They are excellent to learn as an alternative to cPanel but wouldn't not recommend going with a live site.

It is a lot of work and dedication but there is only one way we as humans learn and that is by just doing it.
 
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