Guys,
I  am paying money for web hosting, but it is getting expensive every year, so i would like to set up server myself . If i success to setup this project it will offer free hosting for schools and community projects .
Please advice me what sorts of hardware do I need to have, what are the complication will i get on this project? and what is the running cost apart from electricity?  Guys do you know your small effort can make big difference in  the society .

It depends upon how many sites you want to host and in which environment (LINUX, WINDOWS etc).

Let me know the details so that I can make suggestions.

AND ALSO YOUR BUDGET

Losforword,I appreciate your comments. We are planning for five websites at present two schools and three community projects. We are planning on Linux based server, spending around 1000$. But i have very less knowledge on this issue and our main goal to set up this server is to help schools, community projects across the Nepal to host their websites without paying lot money for pro.
Now i need your help to guide for suitable hardware, what are the complications on operating will we have if we operate from US not from Nepal, what will be the running cost? If you have more technological knowledge on this issue, you can guide all our team throughout setup.

 

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Creating a Server in Nepal at one of the ISPs participating within the local internet exchange (nPIX) would certainly benefit the browsing experience for people at Nepal (10-30ms). They practically have tons of bandwidth available within, rather than data flowing all the way from satellites or undersea cables (500-750ms).

Any commodity hardware , a simple PC with linux would do at first. But, as the traffic increases, you may want to increase the capacity resources (storage and memory).

Running Multiple websites would require you to virtually host them. Apache can easily do that for you in *nix platforms.

The running cost would be the domain name PLUS monthly static IP charge. You can reduce on the domain name by using a .np cctld. Thats provided by Mercantile Communications, KTM for FREE.

If you setup the server in US, you'd lose the high bandwidth feature that your website would benefit from if it were a part of "local" internet exchange in Nepal. But cost-wise, it might be effective. Try askin' quotes from Service Providers in Nepal with these requirements and from providers here and compare.

Basically, all you need is a static IP address, and rest is done. Provided they dont block port 80 for hosting websites.

I hope this helps and Gluck for the effort.

Also, when there are plenty people who can help for free, setup these causes, you dont need to pay extra bucks to the other suckers! If you got what i mean.

... if it is just school web or blog hosting, fine. But if you try something compititive and once your users cross 2000 then there is security threats from every corner. Security is the main challange in home based web server. You know what I mean once you expose your system to the external world..

One more thing, dont expect any financial gain unless your site is drawing really good traffic... However, it is really rewarding in terms of technical knowledge.. You will discover lots of new techy stuffs with every single error message..  Believe me, there is no better way to learn..

You dont need to go for special server machines at start.. just use normal current-days desktop machines (but dont use less than  7200 rpm hard drive ,, cuz memory speed is the main bottleneck for server's performance).

There is no question which software/OS should you use.. it is LINUX/Apache web server (i.e. total software cost $0).. My preference is Ubuntu/LAMP server. Though SUSE and FC are nice, some how i feel debian packages are stable .. easy to update and manage as compared with rpm. ..

Next, 'read terms of use' of your ISP provider.. make sure that it is OK to run web servers.

Regarding technical set up guide, there should be lots of online resources/books avialable... If you need any specific help.. feel free to contact me. And yeah, I presume you are comfortable with basic linux commands..

go ahead.. learn with fun.

Oldmaven, you are real expert doesn't matter whether you are old or new , You are real maven. Brain Malfunction, I have seen many malfunctioning  brain in sajha but not your brain mate. Your brain still hold 1000 time worth knowledge and information than other so I can say it is functioning very well and please keep it up.

As i mentioned before we have to setup in US and we are on the process to purchase hardware. But i nedd your help to give me more information regarding DNS address and static IP address. I am worry what will happen if i change ISP in future.

Oldmaven we live either in europe or america so we wanted to setup in USA than Nepal. Brain Malfunction we are setting up purely for schools and community so we wont expect any financial gain but surely I will be contacting you guys for help.I have good knowledge in debian and redhat but the person who lives in US has less knowledge on it.
 

Hi sajhabusiama,

I don't know why you want to buy a hardware and setup servers in US. I would say hosting a website from some professional companies will be 80% cheaper than doing it by yourself... I also thought the same but i got it for much cheaper price like for $10 monthly... Unlimited spaces..Unlimited bandwidths, 8 static ip address, 100 mysql databases, 5000 webmail adresses, 2 free domain names and unlimited subdomains.... and many more plus 24/7 support.. and excellent support....
So with that $1000 , you can setup ~5 community websites for 2 years........


If you want to setup your own server!!!!

Hardware costs for two servers , I don't know what kind.. but if it's blade servers atleast $5000 each or if its a customised desktop with minimum hardware $900..... Pluse electricity bill for running two server 24hours/ 7 days for a month ~$90 and IPS will certainly charge for static ip address with unlimited bandwith...

For simple internet connection i'm paying like $55 a month and I would say it will cost more...

Dude I've supported Opensource software all my life and i've my own opensource community website...

This is just a suggestion.. but if you need my help on setting up any servers or for project like this i'm there to help you... send me a mail ......

One question????? Are you setting up a site like BlackBoard  for those schools????? moodle in opensource language....

Take care

Thanks guys for your comments. Now we have change our plan to set up web server. We are going to host through web hosting company, which has offer very cheap for next two years, but after that periods price will go up. But still worth  compare to setting up the server.

Guys, I will  need more technical help on other issues such as building labs for school in Nepal and changing school file keeping system to database.
thanks

Guys Now  I need your help to set up database  for school now . I have to set up database  to keep the students  and staffs record  and convert previous years manual records to digital. I have around 15 to 20 thousands record to convert on digital format so please suggest which database will be suitable for it . At present we have only one pc but near future we will have lab so there is higher chances to extend.