applefreak111
Level 1 (132 points)
Notebooks

Q: Web Hosting on Xserve

I coded a website and am wondering if I can host my website on Xserve for free.

Posted on Aug 26, 2014 2:18 PM

by Strontium90,Solvedanswer
Strontium90 Strontium90
Level 5 (4,087 points)
Servers Enterprise
A:

Well free is a subjective term.

 

All versions of OS X include the Apache web server.  So the basic answer is yes, you can host your website on OS X or OS X Server.

 

However, there are requirements to make this happen.  First, you should have an internet service that provides a fixed IP address.  So there is the cost of the internet service.  If you can not get a fixed address, and you are a residential customer in the states, your ISP may block port 80 to prevent businesses from using residential service.  If you are not blocked, and you can not get a fixed address, then look into a DynamicDNS service.

 

Next, you still need to register a domain and pay to renew it.  And then there is the electric cost and other infrastructure costs.  And Xserve is loud so you likely need a place to put it that does not annoy anyone.  This in itself may have costs beyond money

 

Hope this helps.  Basic answer is "yes" with a lot of footnotes.

 

Reid

Apple Consultants Network

Apple Professional Services

Author "Mavericks Server – Foundation Services" :: Exclusively available in Apple's iBooks Store

Posted on Aug 27, 2014 4:56 AM

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applefreak111

Q: Web Hosting on Xserve

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  • by Strontium90,Solvedanswer

    Strontium90 Strontium90 Aug 27, 2014 4:56 AM in response to applefreak111
    Level 5 (4,087 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Aug 27, 2014 4:56 AM in response to applefreak111

    Well free is a subjective term.

     

    All versions of OS X include the Apache web server.  So the basic answer is yes, you can host your website on OS X or OS X Server.

     

    However, there are requirements to make this happen.  First, you should have an internet service that provides a fixed IP address.  So there is the cost of the internet service.  If you can not get a fixed address, and you are a residential customer in the states, your ISP may block port 80 to prevent businesses from using residential service.  If you are not blocked, and you can not get a fixed address, then look into a DynamicDNS service.

     

    Next, you still need to register a domain and pay to renew it.  And then there is the electric cost and other infrastructure costs.  And Xserve is loud so you likely need a place to put it that does not annoy anyone.  This in itself may have costs beyond money

     

    Hope this helps.  Basic answer is "yes" with a lot of footnotes.

     

    Reid

    Apple Consultants Network

    Apple Professional Services

    Author "Mavericks Server – Foundation Services" :: Exclusively available in Apple's iBooks Store

  • by applefreak111,

    applefreak111 applefreak111 Sep 24, 2014 5:02 PM in response to Strontium90
    Level 1 (132 points)
    Notebooks
    Sep 24, 2014 5:02 PM in response to Strontium90

    My Mac doesn't have the server software your talking about. Where can I get it?

  • by Strontium90,

    Strontium90 Strontium90 Sep 25, 2014 5:10 AM in response to applefreak111
    Level 5 (4,087 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Sep 25, 2014 5:10 AM in response to applefreak111

    If you have an Xserve, it should be running OS X Server.  What version of OS X do you have?

     

    Server.app is sold through Apple's App Store.  But, if you need a version older than Server.app 3 (for Mavericks) you need to call Apple and request a redemption code or buy the old retail box (10.6.x).