How to Set Up a Home Development Server

If you'd like to test code you have written, you may want to set up a home development server. This way, you can see how the code responds to user traffic without having to use a live server. You'll just need some simple software and a spare computer. Find out how to set up a home development server.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Server control panel software
• Computer
• FTP software
• Router

1. Choose and install the operating system that your development server will run. Most development servers run some version of Linux.
2. Install an HTTP server program like Apache HTTP server. This is a very reliable and highly recommended piece of software. You will also need to install an FTP program such as VSFTP.
3. Configure your software. Get help at a forum such as the one at the Webmasterworld Web site (see Resources below).
4. Connect your new development server to your home network using a router. Choose a static IP address to assign to the computer that you're using as a server.
5. Test your other home computers for connectivity to your new development server. To do this, type the IP address of the server into a browser; remember to start with "http://."
6. Install server control panel software. One highly recommended server control program is Webmin.

Tips & Warnings

• Only run the development server when you are using it. This will save energy and your server will last longer.
• Always make a backup copy of your httpd.conf file before making any changes to it.
• Lock down port 80 on your router if it is connected to your development server. Otherwise, hackers could infiltrate your network.

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