Webserver at Home

[Valor]

My webserver is costing a lot of money per month and I've been playing with the idea of creating one at home. I would use a nice new PC running some form of Linux. Other than that what other considerations do I need to think about? Has anyone attempted this?

[Jordan]

The first thing you would need is fast internet connection like a T1, T3, OC3 etc. Next you will need a good server, not just a scrap PC. Once your website or sites grow large enough it will take the machine down. The third thing you will need is a power backup source. What happens if the power goes out in your area? The webservers should still be running and your clients will get angry if they are not. This is one of the largest expenses but if this doesn't matter skip it. The last thing you need to consider is backup. You can purchase 200+ GB webhost packages now for $6. I recommend getting one of those and creating a daily/weekly/monthly backup storing all of your data on that remote host.

[Tor]

Running your own server and keeping 99.9% uptime will be about impossible unless you can afford a full crew. A T1 line is around $350 minimum!!

[Valor]

Wow, I guess it is more expensive to run one from home than to rent one. I don't think I could keep it running if the power goes out.

[TotalPenguin]

$350 / year? or what?

T1 isn't that fast neither!

[Jordan]

$350 a month I'm guessing. T1 = 1.5Mb with and you own the line so you do not share any of that (meaning you get full 1.5Mb).

[TotalPenguin]

That is way too expensive!! WTF, I have a 2MBits connection and it's like $30 and I get more than 2MBits, usually 2.5MBits.

[Valor]

I got a price quote. It is around $325 for the T1 line and about $300 for an open internet port. That is per month. $625!

[Justice M]

I've seen fast sites hosted off of a home-based server/computer on DSL. I don't think the connection type matters until your site becomes very popular and/if your connection supports it.