Ever wanted to setup a webserver at home, maybe to serve a few pages to your friends, or maybe you want a test server for developement purposes.

This tutorial will guide you through the process of setting up a WebServer.

To setup your web server you will need:

• A PC with minimum of 512mb RAM, 1.6Ghz processor, Win98, ME, XP, 2000(and server) (ideally a stand alone pc that is not used for any other purpose)
• A copy of PhpDev which can be downloaded from http://www.firepages.com.au/phpdev4u1.htm
• A Cable or DSL internet connection with a Minimum of 256kbps upload.
• A Cable or DSL router

1. Firstly, you will need to set up your PC and install the downloaded PhpDev bundle.
   When setting up your PC consider that a webserver needs to be left on continuosly and a PC will make a fair ammount of noise, so leaving it next to your bed is not really the best option. Ideally the server would be set up in a cuboard or loft area and accessed remotely using a program such as WinVNC available at http://www.realvnc.com/products/free/4.1/index.html.
2. If you are using a router you will need to configure it so that the PC running the web server answers all calls to your IP from Port 80 (Port 80 is the standard port for Web Servers).
   
   To confirgure your router you will need to know the IP address of the PC on which you have set up the web server software.
   
   

   To find the local IP of your computer.
   
   Goto: Start > All Programs > Accessorys  > Command Prompt
   
   Type: ipconfig
   
   This will then show you your local netword cards IP address. Make a note of your IP address.
   
   Now you will need to access your routers administration area, usual by typing http://192.168.1.1 into your web browser.
   
   Goto the Routers 'Port Range Forwarding' section, usually under the Applications and Gaming section.
   
   Now create a new route from Port 80 to the IP address of your web server.

3. Run the web server software, Goto: Start > All Programs > phpdev > and select 'phpdev98_ME' or 'phpdev2K_XP_NT' depending on your systems Operating System.

4. To test your webserver installation first you will need to know your external IP address given to you by your service provider, to do this goto http://youripis.co.uk and note the ip address given.
   
   Now type http://youripaddress/public/ into your web browser replacing youripaddress with the IP provided by http://youripis.co.uk .
   
   Providing everything has been setup correctly, you should now be presented with a folder, this folder is located in C:\phpdev\www\public .
   
   You can now place all your .html and .php files in this folder and serve them to the world.
   
   To access phpmyadmin goto http://localhost on the PC running the web server, this will give you links to useful items for you to get going with your new server setup.
   
   
   I hope this tutorial has been of use, should you have any queries please feel free to contact us at info@myspaza.co.uk