It has been a long desire of mine to host a small website on my server computer. However, up until now all the server was used for was as a file storage for all the other computers on the network. The server is running Windows 2000 Advanced Server, which I am pretty sure is capable of hosting a website (except that I don't know how). However, web server software is not my concern...

I am connected to the Internet with a DSL connection. The IP address is not static, but thanks to Dynamic DNS servers such as DynIP (www.dynip.com) I am not worried about that. What I am worried about, however, is my network configuration.

The DSL connection is connected to a DSL router which acts as a DHCP server along with giving other computers on the network access. However, this causes problems when doing activities that require an IP address that is specific to a user. For example, we have problems sending images on AOL Instant Messenger and cannot play most MSN Gaming Zone games.

Another thing we cannot do is host a web server. I believe this is because all requests going to our IP address are received by the router (opposed to a regular computer) which does not know what to do with the incoming request.

Our router is a SpeedStream 5660. Hopefully somebody here knows how to set up a "virtual computer" of some sorts. In other words, how do you set up a device like this to allow one of the computers on the network to be seen by Internet traffic? The router has all kinds of options, but they are not clearly identifiable. What should I be looking for to do this?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Well the router.. which is a basic function is to route packets from one network to another. Whith the help of the trusty manual that came with the router you will have to setup IP forwarding. Meaning any request made to you internet IP will be routed to the local IP which you define in the forwarding table. You should only have to forward port 80 to the local machine. That is the port that webservers use by default. Personally I like to use apache. Advanced server does have IIS installed on it by default. You should beable to use that with minimal trouble. I just like Apache because it's opensource and I've grown up using it. You can pick up apache at http://www.apache.org some programs that compliment apache very well are mysql database server http://www.mysql.org and a free php server side scripting engine http://www.php.net

Sounds like good advice. One word of warning though (you may have already checked this, though) some DSL providers do not allow you to host web or e-mail servers on your DSL line. Also, DSL will not cope with a popular website (although its fine for a small one).

I am aware about the restrictions of using an ADSL connection to host a website, but I don't believe it will be too strenuous on my connection. My past websites (hosted online) did not exceed an average of 5 or so visitors a day ( ) but fortunately I won't need to look for a SDSL connection quite yet!

Here is what's available under Configuration Procedeures:

Configure Virtual Connection
Ethernet
DSL
PPP
DHCP
DNS
Network Address Port Translation (NAPT)
IP Routing and RIP Configuration
IP Filtering
SNMP

NAPT sounds like it should be the one to use (I think).

If I remember rightly, all you need to put in that is:
HTTP Port 80
to forward to
the IP of your host computer.

It could also be under IP Routing and RIP Configuration though.

These are the options that I get:

View or Modify NAPT mode
Configure NAPT Servers
View NAPT Map

I went through and configured a connection for http to my local computer 10.0.0.2. However, it seems that the DSL router is hosting its own server (the configuration page) so that when I type my Internet IP address in I am sent to that page.

Are u using address translation for you site? The ip address must be available on the internet. That's why the router is coming up.

Originally posted by Tranquil
Are u using address translation for you site? The ip address must be available on the internet. That's why the router is coming up.

Could you explain what you mean by this in more detail?

In order for for the internet to find a http port (web server) the ip address must be available on the internet. If your web server is behind a router it is on its own network. The router translates the addresses back and forth between the internet network and your local network. Your local network is not recognised on the internet. Only the ip assigned by your isp is recognised.

The router has a web interface so when you type the ip address it naturally finds the routers http port which is obviously used to configure it. (I do not know your router but it is a little dangerous to have it http port accessable via the internet)

You would have to have your pc directly connected to the internet and not via a router interface. Or your web server would need another ip address that was part of the same network that the router was. I believe windows 2000 proxy server can be placed on a LAN and received requests form the internet but who knows how costly it is.

I would need to investigate how this done. Basically the ip address on your web server must be recognised by the internet or the traffic but be somehow packaged so the router passes it through and knows it is meant for the server and not itself.

Yeah...that's exactly my problem. The thing is, how do you connect a computer directly to the Internet on a DSL line? The only way I know of doing such is connecting it through the router that came with the service (the username/password in the router settings must be correct or there is no Internet access). The problem with using the router is that even if it is just the server connected to it, the server is still behind the router and does not have a public WAN address (instead my WAN IP address is directed to the router).

What hardware would I need to purchase to fix this, or is it not possible? A better DSL modem (that has a 'virtual server' option)? A DSL/Cable router (that connects to the router and to the server)?

This is so frustrating it almost makes me wish I was back on my 56k dialup connection, where I was able to host my own (slow) web server.

You have everything you need. Setup web server first
Web Hosting on DSL line
then set port 80 forwarding to internal IP (the one your web server has).

Originally posted by qwer9182
The problem with using the router is that even if it is just the server connected to it, the server is still behind the router and does not have a public WAN address (instead my WAN IP address is directed to the router).

Hi the router that I use supports DMZ this allows the computer to ack like its connected directly to the net while still enabling all the rest of my computers to connect like they did before.

Have a look and see if your router has DMZ support...

Do not use DMZ as suggested in previous post.
Set port forwarding instead. This would be a much more secure configuration.
DSL with router
With port forwarding the router wold forward only specified connections coming to router's public IP to your server private IP,
not all connections as it would be with DMZ.

i have never had any problems with DMZ and i certanly would suggest it as long as you have a decent firewall which every computer should have anyway as router firewalls and NATs arnt the best for any network in the long run where security is concerned.

But then my sugesstion is best if you need access to more than one port which i did and you didnt...

When you use DMZ there is effectively no firewall.
Router just forwards everything to DMZ host.
To have a firewall protection you should not use DMZ.

umm but listern to me you should not rely on your firewall on your router always use a software firewall as well unless you have a real hardware firewall between your router and the internet (and then you should be using a switch instead of a router).

Any way we are getting off topic