How to Make a Desktop Into an Internet Server

Any desktop computer can be turned into an Internet Server with the free open-source Apache HTTP Server. Apache is a commercial-grade Web server that can be downloaded and used by anyone. There are versions available for Windows, Linux, Unix and Mac OSX computers. Once Apache is installed and configured, you will be able to access your server by typing your IP address into the Web browser of any computer.

Things You'll Need

• Apache HTTP Server version 2.2

Instructions

1. Download and install Apache HTTP Server from the Apache download website. Be sure to choose the download package designed for your operating system.

2. Start the Apache Web Server. Windows users can access the program by clicking on "Start" and then "Apache Web Server." Choose "Start Apache as a console app." Linux/Unix users will type the command "/usr/local/apache2/bin/apachectl" at the command prompt.

3. Edit the configuration file to reflect the information for your system. Windows users will find this file at "C:\Program Files\Apache Group\Apache2\conf\httpd.conf." Linux/Unix users will find the file at "/etc/httpd/httpd.conf."

4. Place your Web pages in the proper directory. Windows users will place the pages in the "C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\htdocs" folder. Linux/Unix users will place the pages in the "/var/www" directory.

5. Test your configuration by typing "http://localhost" in a Web browser. You will be able to access your server from outside your home network by typing your IP address into a Web browser.

Tips & Warnings

• Mac OSX users will follow the Linux/Unix directions.

References

• Apache HTTP Server Documentation
• The Site Wizard: How to Install and Configure Apache 2 on Windows

Resources

• Apache HTTP Server Download