To fellow web master talk members, I have three web sites, and I seek to host them myself, and I seek help for what I need to do to get it set up.

** How do I get a server
+What brands do exist, and what should I ask for
+What are good servers worth


** Getting hooked up, how do I arrange all of it


** Please, I am seeking all information, on all stages of setting up my own web server.

Assuming I understand your request correctly, I have but one word for you: "don't".

Proper hosting requires a proper web server (2 HDs in a RAID 1 configuration minimum, decent CPU, a fair amount of RAM) as well as an OS that has at least some web capabilities (Apache, Windows, Linux). Then you have to factor in at least two redundant connections so that you have some failover in case one dies (both of these should have a static IP as well.)

And for three sites? Not worth it, unless your three sites require dedicated server-level resources.

Get your hands on a half-decent multi-site reseller/resellable plan and save yourself a LOT of time and money. A decent plan for three sites should cost you in the $10-$20 range per month depending: a decent server, you'd be looking at a couple of grand, at least.

I agree with adam, dont go there. The costs wouldn't benefit you no matter what site content you have. If you want your own server go dedicated.

you can buy VPS and host there 3 sites.

The suggestions given already are quite spot-onBut, if you absolutely need a dedicated servero a search for a dedicated server provider, with a control panelYou'd normally start off with the smallest server with minimum 1GB RAM, 2 HDD's (in RAID config) and preferably server maintenance / support. This could easily cost you $150+ pm, but if the site needs it, then it's easy todo

We our run servers in house. But it does cost a pretty penny to keep them running. It is a really nice option if you need to transfer a lot of local data to and from the servers (in this case moving large video clips from the video editing machine, over to the server). As far as speed / performance it all depends on what you plan on running... There is no reason to have 1GB's of ram, on dual xeon chips if your planning on hosting a basic e-commerce site. Start simple and expand as needed. But remember, backups are really important! RAID is your friend!

Servo888 , but it must be difficult to run servers in house, mustn't it?

Jim,
I read your question a little differently. A whole lot is being assumed in the above answers. If you are wanting to run an e-enterprise web sites that must be up 24x7 and having data backup is important, the advise above is right on.

However, if you are playing around with the 3 sites as a hobby and you have a cable connection you could host them right from your workstation. Sites running VPS's and dedicated servers provide big servers to handle very large throughput. Smaller sites do not need this. I've run sites on basic workstations with no problem. You can gain valuable experience and learn the ins and outs of admining a web site.
You will need IIS or Apache for your webserver and you should be good to go.

Here is a great resource if you want to run you server from home:
http://www.dslwebserver.com/

Unless you really know what you are doing, do not go for it. Home connections are generally not fast enough, especially since the uplink speeds are lower, which matter wheen someone access your server from outside. For small sites, it is a total waste of time and energy, a $5 hosting would serve you better. Even if you have good enough traffic for a dedicated server, the initial investment, administration, connection spped and cost etc. works out to be worse than renting a server.

There is another road between the "shard home pc" and the "full server at your place".

Try to look for virtual servers.
They can be virtuoso solutions, XEN or vmware isolation, or whatever technology.
It require you to master some trivial unix/bsd skills, but if you are looking for learning, it's a perfect combination on low fees and great flexibility.

I've adopted this solution with a local (Swiss) provider, and I'm really happy of what I have.
Quality service, with no worry about material failover, and full shell access to do wathever I want to do on the server.

Look at these links. They may be failry outdated, but that was what I'd stumbled upon 2 years ago, when I was looking for it.

VPS Colo - Linux VPS Hosting
Linode.com - Web hosting with root access
Linux private server basic prices/features
ServInt Virtual Private Servers
VPS Hosting Holiday Specials by Rose Hosting
Bytemark : Linux Hosting : Price list : Complete price list

And if you are located in Europe, and looking for a good conenctivity with a top clas service, try this one:
http://www.ip-cracks.ch/produkte/xen-hosting/ (!! German language page !!)
As I said, I'm with them for 2 years now, and I'm not looking to move.

Originally Posted by tripy

Try to look for virtual servers.
They can be virtuoso solutions, XEN or vmware isolation, or whatever technology.

To avoid any potential confusion - I believe the poster was referring to Virtuozzo which is entirely different to virtuoso (I also think there is/was some hosting provider using that name just to be confusing).

I don't think it is particularly relevant to the initial poster, but for the sake of completeness I think it's useful to mention anyway:

I would recommend looking for a VPS provider using SWsoft's Virtuozzo platform - this will give you better results that the other technologies mentioned above because of the way it performs the virtualisation. Unlike VMware, Virtuozzo can only create VPS's using the same base OS (e.g. you have to run Linux VPS's on a Linux Virtuozzo node - you can't run a Windows VPS on there... you need a Windows Virtuozzo node for that). Whilst this means that it isn't as useful to you in a development environment where you may want to run multiple OS for testing etc., it is perfectly suited for hosting where you want to get good performance!

There are all the usual opinions on the matter - just as you get Windows vs. Linux; cPanel vs. Plesk vs. DirectAdmin vs. Webmin etc. - the same wars exist between VPS platforms, but there is a wider gap an a clearer choice, which is why Virtuozzo is the leading VPS platform in the hosting industry.

Originally Posted by tripy

It require you to master some trivial unix/bsd skills, but if you are looking for learning, it's a perfect combination on low fees and great flexibility.

This isn't necessarily true - many VPS providers will offer a managed service, and with the good ones (since "managed" varies depending on provider) you can have a VPS that is no harder to use than a shared hosting plan - except you get the benefits of selecting what software you want to run, and improved security/reliability of your own isolated server environment.

I would say if you need to come to a message board to ask what is needed to set-up and run your own server you most likely shouldn't if these are important "live" sites. This isn't a knock on you, I wouldn't know what is needed either, but I know if I don't have enough knowledge of what is needed it would be very difficult to maintain the servers as well.

Although if as was stated before you are just looking to tinker, and learn it would be a great learning experience.