Hosting your own site

You need a DNS server somewhere that associates your domain name with your IP address. You'll need to contact someone who runs a couple of name servers to do this for you.

You might want to have a look at http://www.GraniteCanyon.com, who provides this service for free.

I personally wouldn't recommend hosting a domain on a home-user connection without permission from your provider. Most likely your contract states you can't run server processes, though some providers do provide an exception -- but generally, you'll need a "business account" for this to be allowed...

If the site is important, a home connection and typical home PC won't provide the type of security and reliability you need. If the site is really low-traffic and not critical, then this may not be an issue.

Silly board linked my comma

Its not the best thing to do, but it can be a nice learning experience. I use to host sites off a sdsl with a linux server.

Basicly to do this:

1. Make sure it is ok with you ISP
2. You need to setup DNS register.com provides a service where they do dns for you. I have never used it but heard about it.
3. You will need webserver software depending on OS I would go with apache.
4. Really that is all you need, then you can add extras.

If you want to do this depends on how much uptime your site will want. You really can not expect compareable uptime to regular hosts(depending on the host) because you might not be there all the time.

Not just security for the PC running the site but UPS/generator backup, fire/flood protection, general accidents etc.

my main question is WHY?

you can get hosting for less than $10 a month (cheap) and even cheaper.

Actually the reason is bandwidth, you get more if you host yourself. But to host yourself I suggest an SDSL connection which is kind of expensive.

I host my own site.
For quite a while, I've been running my webserver on an old unused PI 166 MHZ with 16 MB RAM, 2.1 GB HD. I've run Redhat6.2 as my favorite, although I've tried others.
RH6.2 takes up about 700 MB of my disk space, and I've used up about 1.5 GB total with my webpages.
I am building a new computer to double as a webserver and a workstation.
If you have an old computer that is unused, I'd suggest upgrading that with a little more RAM, formatting it, and instlalling redhat 7.1.

About bandwidth, I am using a cable connection, and my ISP has said that I can host it as bandwidth does not strain the server. My pages are small, and I get a lot of traffic, but the bandwidth is not strained.

I have a UPS that will run for 30 minutes, and it was needed yesterday, as I lost power for about that long.

My Cable router runs the security for me, and I'd suggest a Linksys 4 port router/firewall.
I also installed an extra firewall on all my computers too.

One thing no one has mentioned yet, and I'm not sure of: Do you have a static IP address? Router? what type of connection?

So here is what I suggest:
1. Find a computer with at least 128 MB RAM and a 5 GB HD.
2. Check with your ISP(very important)
3. Set up your computer and get Linux, apache, and any other programs you need (PHP, CGI/Perl, MySQL etc). Also install a FIREWALL!
4. Register at dotster.com ($15 a year)
5. Sign up for free DNS at zoneedit.com and have it point to your static IP address.
6. Get it up running!
I've done this for a short time, so I may be able to help... ICQ me 44907087 and I can help you out if you need it.
Good luck!

No wonder its so damn slow.