[split] apache setup

[PostBot]

ok. What do you want to setup forum on localhost for? For test? If for test then you don't need domain name. You only need domain name if you want to host it on your computer so users would access it. But that's what hosting services are for.

It is a very rare case when you need a domain name for your computer. Usually domain names are bought for normal remote hosting and locally users use localhost.

[TheMachine]

Yes I want to set up a number of sites/forums. I'm a personal trainer and I require a business site. My friend is a DJ, and I'd also like to set up a site/forum for his business, but I don't see the point in paying somebody for a bit of webspace when it's possible for me to host from my own server. I just didn't really know how the domain system worked.

Right then, I've set up a site on my machine (localhost) then I buy myself a domain name. Then I use EveryDNS.net to link the domain name to my IP. Is that how it works?

My IP seems to be dynamic. There is a way to make it static though isn't there. I believe I've stumbled upon something to do with that during my research but didn't really pay too much attention at the time.

Thanks for your tuition with this by the way. I know it can be frustrating trying to teach these things through forums. I appreciate your help.

[PostBot]

If your IP is dynamic then it will be a nightmare for you to host on your computer.

Hovewer, there are lots of hosting plans that allow you to host unlimited domains. Simpliest is reseller hosting, but its usually cpanel and that means you'll have to setup every account separately.

I recommend you get one simple hosting account with directadmin control panel and with unlimited domains and stay away from cpanel hosting companies. Then you'll have one ftp login to manage all websites (and you can setup subaccounts for your users), you can setup as many websites as you want and you don't have to worry about setting up hosting packages for every domain (setting up hosting packages is a major headache in cpanel, and in directadmin its all much easier). It will cost you only about $5 - $10 a month depending on company you will choose.

If you host yourself then you must be sure that your internet connection is always working, you must be sure your computer is always working, you must be sure your dynamic ip is always updated, you must be very careful about security. Hosting yourself isn't worth it. Better get some simple payed hosting.

[TheMachine]

I see. Perhaps I should have just asked you a few weeks ago. I spoke to a guy at the gym about my business site and he told me that he used to set up servers for a living. He told me to learn how to set up Apache and host myself. I have a second machine which I planned to use as the server and it would be online 24-7, however I hadn't counted on the IP being a problem. He made everything sound so simple.
So the server system I've just spent the past eight hours setting up is only good for testing? Gutted. Ah well... It's all knowledge I guess. Not to mention one hell of a thread here

Thanks for your help mate

[TheMachine]

So I see (LOL) Ah well... Better get the credit card out

[TheMachine]

With regards to the dynamic IP situation. How do people get static IP's? Is it down to the ISP? Isn't there something we can do to make a dynamic IP static?

[PostBot]

You should contact your ISP about it. Usually ISPs have different packages for home and for business and business ones have static ips but costs more.

[Greg]

Here in the UK broadband uses often get a static ip adress at no extra charge. I have made my PC into a server before but seriously as Cyberalien said. just buy hosting off a company who knows what they are doing. Or failing that get a Reseller account and they will look after the server side of things for you.

Greg

[TheMachine]

I've sorted it all now chaps. Did a bit of research and at last, I'm hosting my own site, from my own server, with a dynamic IP. Knew there must be a way of doing it. I've had to sign up with a company who provide my domain name, and track my IP then change it as and when needed. I don't plan to log off that often anyway so there won't be a problem. Everything has been tested, in fact the entire day has been spent doing little more, and it works fine from every angle. I hate being beaten by technology (he-he)

I am in the UK Greg. Manchester, but I will ask my ISP about the static IP anyway. I've been out this morning and bought a couple of books. I'm gonna' get into this now because there's a lot of money to be made, and it's something I really enjoy doing. Give me a month or two and I will be advising you guys (LOL)

Hey there's a couple of things you might be able to help me with now. First of all, you know the visual confirmation that comes with the latest version of phpBB2. Well for some reason it's only accepting characters in uppercase!! I've set two different forums up and it's the same with both. That's gotta' be a bug right? How to fix it, any ideas?
And secondly, how would I go about setting up the e-mail system from my local host? I want to enable e-mail activation but at the moment I'm getting the debug error from includes/emailer.php. I didn't expect it would work without some configuration or such but how would I fix this?

Cheers guys.

PS, where abouts are you Greg?

[PostBot]

Glad you figured it out Congratulations!

About visual confirmation: I recommend to disable it. Instead use trick that I'm using on this very forum - no visual confirmation and no bots (but it requires xs mod): open profile_add_body.tpl, find this:

Code: Select all

</form>

and add before it:

Code: Select all

<input type="hidden" name="reg_check" value="<?php echo time(); ?>" />

then open includes/usercp_register.php, find this:

Code: Select all

if ($mode == 'register' && ($userdata['session_logged_in'] || $username == $userdata['username']))
{
   message_die(GENERAL_MESSAGE, $lang['Username_taken'], '', __LINE__, __FILE__);
}


and add after it:

Code: Select all

if($mode == 'register' && !empty($_POST['submit']) && (empty($_POST['reg_check']) || !intval($_POST['reg_check'])))
{
   message_die(GENERAL_MESSAGE, 'You already have an account on this forum.', '', __LINE__, __FILE__);
}


And that's all. No more bots and no visual confirmation.

About email system: open c:\winnt\php.ini (or wherever your php.ini is located), find this:

Code: Select all

[mail function]
; For Win32 only.
SMTP =


and put your provider's smtp server in it.

[TheMachine]

Thanks for that mate. I'm not really too concerned with ARR issues at the moment, just thought there might be an easy way to fix the one that comes with. I will put that on my to-do-list though.
Gonna' have a search for the php.ini now and see if I can sort that. Must I use my ISP SMTP details or can I use any SMTP account details? I'd rather not use my service providers if it can be avoided.
Whilst I'm doing that, can you advise me on security with regards to local hosting? What's the best measures to put in place, and what are the main threats I need to consider?

[TheMachine]

Mate I have two php.ini files. One is php.ini-recommended and the other is php.ini-dist?? You're not talking about the configuration settings file are you?

[Greg]

I am actually quite close to Mancherster - Brighouse - near Halifac and Leeds. I use BT broadband and my IP never changes even after disconnecting.

Greg

[PostBot]

Copy php.ini-dist to c:\winnt\php.ini and edit it

[TheMachine]

I used to be with BT but the service kept disconnecting all the time and they did nothing to help me so I jumped over to Wanadoo, which are fantastic but dynamic... Which wasn't a problem at the time. I know a couple of girls in Bradford, supposed to be going down there near the New Year to go clubbing with them in Leeds