Do you host a web server at home?

#1

Post by cantbecool » Tue, Apr 10, 2012, 5:19 AM UTC

I'm considering hosting from home and interested in HN community's thoughts.

Re: Do you host a web server at home?

#2

Post by pastaking » Tue, Apr 10, 2012, 5:20 AM UTC

I'd be interested to find out how to host from home. All these VPSs are getting expensive and I've noticed most of my side projects don't need all that.

Re: Do you host a web server at home?

#3

Post by cantbecool » Tue, Apr 10, 2012, 5:32 AM UTC

pastaking wrote: post #2

I'd be interested to find out how to host from home. All these VPSs are getting expensive and I've noticed most of my side projects don't need all that.

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm thinking too. A coworker set up a home web server on an old C2D Dell machine, and when I ping it, it's responding quicker than the host I'm using.

Re: Do you host a web server at home?

#4

Post by mirceagoia » Tue, Apr 10, 2012, 5:50 AM UTC

cantbecool wrote: post #3

pastaking wrote: post #2

I'd be interested to find out how to host from home. All these VPSs are getting expensive and I've noticed most of my side projects don't need all that.

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm thinking too. A coworker set up a home web server on an old C2D Dell machine, and when I ping it, it's responding quicker than the host I'm using.

Does your ISP allow you to have a web server at home? Some don't unless you pay more.

Re: Do you host a web server at home?

#5

Post by octopus » Tue, Apr 10, 2012, 5:55 AM UTC

Have you considered the cost of a fixed IP ? Depending on were you live this could vary from 10$/month to 100$/month.

Re: Do you host a web server at home?

#6

Post by runjake » Tue, Apr 10, 2012, 6:02 AM UTC

I did. Just save yourself the heartache and buy a cheap VPS from prgmr.com or similar (linode? slicehost? arpnetworks?)

Re: Do you host a web server at home?

#7

Post by allanscu » Tue, Apr 10, 2012, 6:17 AM UTC

I used to do it. I've played with both static IP and dynamic DNS. Hosting from home works fine for a web server that doesn't expect a lot of traffic. Otherwise, save yourself the headache and fire up a VPS in a few minutes.

Re: Do you host a web server at home?

#8

Post by jff » Tue, Apr 10, 2012, 7:20 AM UTC

I do. I've run FreeBSD on a SunFire and on an old Thinkpad, and I currently run a Go web server under Plan 9 on that old Thinkpad. It's easy, just start the server and point your domain name at it. Since I've got a dynamic IP, I have a cron job to update it every day--it's just a personal page, so it doesn't really matter if it's unavailable for a little while every few months.

Re: Do you host a web server at home?

#9

Post by codeonfire » Tue, Apr 10, 2012, 7:23 AM UTC

For development, yes. For paying customers or a business, no way.

Re: Do you host a web server at home?

#10

Post by mafro » Tue, Apr 10, 2012, 7:26 AM UTC

I've run a server at home for years. Mostly for SSH access to my old catalogue of email and to do some remote coding when at work. It also served as a website host for small scripts.. Which is about all you can do on a home connection.

For the handful of hosted sites that I manage and a version of Roundcube that connects to my mail provider - I use a VPS. Gandi is good.