Domains with apache

[trainguy77]

i am new to the world of running a web server. When i install Apache it asks for a domain name. Once i find one that is not taken, it seems not to complain. Do i need to register that domain? Or will my server run it's own domain? Will the domain typed go global, or just my intranet? If i do need to register it, can it type a IP address instead so it is free?

Thanx

[jeremy.king]

Yes, you need to register with a registrar like Network Solutions, GoDaddy, Names Direct, and a slew of others.

You can use your IP, but those are hard to remember.

Its not costly to register your domain. Depending on who you choose the cost is 7.95 to 30 bucks a year. Those registrars then "map" that domain name to the IP address of your web server, although there is a lot more involved such as DNS and MX (mail servers), but you shouldn't have to worry about that.

On a personal note, I registered with and use MyDomain.com and simply point my domain name at my home IP where I host a few small websites. they offer a bunch of forwarding technologies (stealh and direct) for free whcih is transparent to any web visitor.

[sonofslim]

When i install Apache it asks for a domain name.

you didn't install apache, did you? because it ships pre-installed on OS X. open up system preferences->sharing and just start web sharing... presto, you're running a fully featured apache server.

all the details you could want: http://www.macdevcenter.com/pub/a/mac/2003/04/04/apache_jaguar_pt1.html

(written for jaguar but applicable to panther.)

[trainguy77]

no i did not install Apache on an X machine i installed it on a Windows school machine(darn windows!!)I wish windows came with it pre-installed! :(

[trainguy77]

When i enter a IP does it need to be the one from my internet connection? Can it just be whatever i want? When i enter a domain it seems not to complain why is this? is it just a hounour system?

[trainguy77]

if i have my own DNS server do i still need to register?

[Westside guy]

I wish windows came with it pre-installed!

Hehe. What planet are you from again? :p

Microsoft isn't going to put the superior Apache server on their machines when they've been trying (and failing) to take over the world with Internet Information Server for quite a while.

BTW I hope you don't read my first sentence as an attempted slam on you. I just thought it was kinda funny, given MS's anti-competitive tactics in every field of endeavor for the past decade or so. Apache's got 65-70% market share, and you know Bill and Steve have had their shorts in a bunch about that for the past five years.

if i have my own DNS server do i still need to register?

Short answer: Yes.

You can easily set up your own DNS server, but unless the DNS servers upstream "trust" it this isn't going to do anything at all. If it were possible to simply inject your own DNS server into the Internet, all heck would have broken loose a long time ago.

[jeremy.king]

Dude...seriously. You need to learn a lot more before you even attempt to host your own site. The questions you are asking indicate you are really trying to setup something you know absolutely nothing about.

Heres some basics

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/dns.htm

[trainguy77]

hey everyone needs to learn somewhere

[trainguy77]

thanks i got things figered out now