Installing a Web Server

Now before installing and configuring a server, there are a few things to be considered. Like the question of where to place it? For this an isolated, cool location is considered best, but if this is not possible due to any reason then too there are several remedies as mentioned below: -

Location
One should locate a location within his/her home that is static-free, its not required to put the server on the carpet, near curtains, or anything else that can produce a static reaction. The reason behind this is that it is considered quite dangerous as due to that the server’s internal components can receive a static charge and there can also happen severe short circuit.

The location selected needs to be in cool environment, preferably below room temperature as the servers even desktop computers generates large amounts of heat and more the heat it generates, the more it needs to cool off. In case the server is not kept cool, then this can lead to the server hanging and then eventually crashing. For better understanding, it is the same case as which happens with a car when it gets overheated it stops running. One can keep a server internal components cool by keeping the room cool. Not only that additionally one can add more fans to the server which keeps the internal components of server cool. One can also position a standalone fan directly at the server back panel and constantly have the fan cool the server internal components. It all depends upon how cool one’s room is and how much heat one’s server is generating, getting more fans for one’s server may be an essential and not a probable option.

It is also recommended to have the server placed at a higher level within one’s house example mid-floor, because if it is in the basement and a natural calamity like flood occurs then it could destroy it. If the position is in between the top story and the sun beams on the top story for hours the server could overheat. That is the reason why mid-floor level is usually the cooler place within the home, but these recommendations are just optional and one can put the server in the most comfortable and convenient space following are the remaining guidelines.

One should be sure the area he/she has selected is not damp or wet (no leaks, moisture, near any liquids, or near a window “especially open”) as else there can occur an electric shock problem.

The height of the server should be at least 4” inches from the ground.

One should check the availability of a working electrical outlet nearby. It is also important to have a power supply. The advantages of having a power supply is that it can save one from electrical outages, blackouts, and brownouts. Also having a power supply helps the server keep its power, remain stable, and unaffected when there is an outage, as well it provides protection of one’s server against electrical shock. If one’s outage remains more than 5 minutes it is advisable to begin backing up anything deemed important and shut the computer down voluntarily as well as any other electrical attached devices.

After the power, second important thing is to have a LAN line nearby and also a phone jack, in case one is planning on using the server for any dial-up services. However one should keep in mind that it is not at recommended to use the web service with a dial-up connection. A broadband connection or greater is minimum or let say essential requirement for most favorable performance. Care should also be taken that the LAN line should never come from the wall and must plug directly into one’s server, it should also plug into a hardware firewall which is usually a router with a built-in firewall.

Depending upon the size of the server and the internal components the server may be extremely noisy and loud, especially due to fans. Thus it is suggested to have the server in an isolated location, which is not near any peaceful area of the house like bedroom or study room. The above mentioned were some of the basic things to consider before hosting one’s own server.