How to Create a Hosting Server [2022 Guide]

Most people don’t know how hosting works, so they choose the first plan they find online. But you may want to take your website online without paying for hosting. 

If you have a strong internet connection and hardware to spare, you can make a hosting server yourself. Just follow our guide on how to create a hosting server. Read through it, and you’ll know everything you’ll need. 

How to Create a Hosting Server

Creating a hosting server is about getting the proper hardware. With upgraded storage and RAM, you can use your old computer but beware of its power requirements because your server will run 24/7. If you’re playing Minecraft and you have an Enjin website you can host Minecraft servers with the proper configuration. 

1. Build the Hardware 

Choosing the proper hardware is the first step to creating your hosting server. But before you start shopping, consider your requirements. You can do that by assessing the number of web visitors you’ll be accommodating on your website. Divide this number into two sections — the total number of visitors and the number of visitors at a time. While the former would determine the storage space of your hosting server, the latter would tell you how much RAM you need. 

Storage Space 

Your storage space accommodates files like blogs, images, and JavaScript that’ll run on your website when you build your own server. Typically, 5GB storage would be more than enough for a fully functional website with JPEG images. 

Blogging websites are good with 2GB of space. That said, you’ll need to increase your storage limit as your website gains traction. For instance, YouTube has to increase its storage limit daily because users upload 720,000 hours of videos every day. 

RAM

RAM can affect your website’s ability to respond to visitors’ requests. But don’t install 8GB RAM if you aren’t planning on hosting online software or a picture editing website. For 500 to 1,000 visitors per day, 500 MB is enough. But if you’re using WordPress, you’ll need at least 2GB RAM for smooth processing. Ideally, you should go for 2–4GB RAM to be on the safe side.

CPU

CPU is the brain of your server, and it impacts your website’s overall performance. But it’ll draw RAM power as they work in conjunction. There isn’t a universal answer for what CPU is best for web hosting. So, we’ve broken down CPU requirements into different cores you’ll need to consider when learning how to host a server.

For a blogging website, a dual-core processor will be sufficient. If your requirements are higher, you’ll need more than a 4-core CPU. But you can reduce that by designing a clean and light website.

2. Pick the OS 

The most common operating system for hosting a web server is Linux. It’s an open-source system that isn’t complicated, and it runs smoothly. It optimizes RAM and CPU power and is best for running 24/7. 

But if you run an application that requires a Windows operating system, you don’t have another choice. Here are all the applications that require Windows OS:

• MS Access (Microsoft Access)
• C#
• Remote Desktop (dedicated server only)
• MSSQL (Microsoft SQL Server)
• Visual Basic Development
• ASP Classic
• ASP.NET

3. Setting Up and Configuring Your Server

After picking your operating system, your next step is to set up and configure your web server. For that, you’ll need to decide between MAMP, LAMP, and WAMP. 

WAMP Server/MAMP/LAMP

These are different software packages to create your server. They support three operating system platforms and coding languages:

• MAMP — Mac
• LAMP — Linux 
• WAMP — Windows

You’ll pick one of these, depending on which operating system you chose while setting up your home server.

Create an HTML Page 

Before you move forward with your website, you’ll need to create an HTML page. It’ll serve as your website’s foundation and harbor all your website’s coding. Next, you’ll need to use CSS to add more graphics and visuals to your site. Finally, JavaScript assists in manipulating your website. Combining these three languages will create your web page.

Create SQL Database

SQL database is like a central storage compartment for your website’s data. You can download Microsoft SQL for WAMP without messing around in the CMS. For a dynamic website where your users will create a profile, you’ll need a powerful SQL database when hosting a web server. Finally, you’ll also need it for blogging websites to store your content, images, and videos. 

Install File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

File transfer protocol lets your site share files between your server and the web visitor. For instance, all the pictures and videos you see on a website are hosted through FTP. This allows safe file transfer between two devices connected through the internet no matter the distance. 

Set the Website Visibility

• Right-click on your computer’s WAMP/LAMP/MAMP icon, select APACHE and HTTPD. It’ll open a Notepad text editor where you should copy the second paragraph.
• In the HTTPD, change the {INSTALL_DIR}/www/___ if you have different projects.
• Next, change the “Required” section from LOCAL to ALL GRANTED. 
• Then, you’ll want to make your website public, and for that, you need to search your IP address. You can do this by searching “what is my IP” on Google. 
• Right-click the WAMP/LAMP/MAMP icon, hover over APACHE, and select HTTPD.com. It’ll open a Notepad text editor.
• Find directory and delete “AllowOveride Non and Require all denied.” 
• Next, find the “listen 0.0.00.00.0” and change the numeric value to the IP address you found on Google. Do the same for the server name section in the text editor and add your IP address.
• Now you’ll need to turn off your firewall to allow incoming connections. You can customize its setting, but it’s okay just to turn it off if you’re new to setting up a home server.
• Next, you have to access your router. You can do that by looking up your model. Google it with “router,” for example, “XYZ1234 login.” You’ll find your router’s web address, paste it in your browser, and hit enter to open your router website. Most routers have a simple ID and password, and you might find that on their back. 

Also, you’ll need a domain name that you can buy from sites like NameStudio. Once you have your domain name, go to the port forwarding section on your router’s website and create a rule to forward port 80. 

After that, restart your WAMP/LAMP/MAMP and type in your web address on another PC. 

Free Web Hosting vs Paid Web Hosting

Now that you know how to host a server, you might be overwhelmed by too much information. If you find this task daunting, you can always opt for free or paid web hosting services.

Advantages of Free Web Hosting 

Free web hosting services save you the hassle of setting up your personal server, paying the electricity bills, and buying expensive upgrades when your site becomes popular. Besides, you don’t have to follow a lengthy procedure for setting up your web server, and you get an online place to store your files. 

Advantages of Paid Web Hosting 

Paid web hosting is a step up from free services. You can opt for a dedicated server that only handles your website or choose a public network. The difference between paid and free web hosting is the service level.

Here are the advantages of paid web hosting services:

• Reliability
• Customer support
• More storage space
• More email accounts
• Bandwidth

Key Takeaways 

Setting up a home server will save you money, but you’ll put your system and website at risk. For starters, you’ll share your IP address on the internet, disable your firewall, and allow unknown web users to connect with your home computer. So, you should have a good idea of what a web hosting is. To avoid losing precious data and the hardship of server maintenance, you should opt for online web hosting services. 

FAQ

How do I host my own web server?

To host your own web server, you’ll need a computer and a strong internet connection. But beware of your system’s power requirements as your server will be running 24/7. 

How can I host my own server for free?

You can host your server for free by getting in touch with free online web hosting services. You might not get the best plan, but it’s a good place to start. Alternatively, you can learn how to create a hosting server yourself.

Is free hosting safe?

Free hosting doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a paid plan, but it’s entirely safe. Online web hosting providers have a robust firewall that’s impenetrable. So your data will be safe.