Expert: Carolyn Meinel - 5/17/2005

Question
Hi Carolyn

I did install the abyss program but couldn't find a way to tie outside world to my web site I have in my computer, I don't know where should I put the static IP address I have, is this IP going to be my computer's IP or could be any other one I own? I have 3 other addresses I can use. when I look for my IP address it opens my linksys router page, but when I look for 127.0.0.1 to 127.254.255.255 it goes to my web page I have under wwwroot, Please help and thanks for giving your time.

Arno
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Followup To
Question -
Hi there,
I have a static IP and have made a web pages under wwwroot folder and works well within my network of some 11 computers, I need to know how can I assign my IP to this folder to allow others to be able to see my web site in www.
I have windows 2000 PRO, I can have them to be on XP pro. though.
would you please help me or give advice from where I can find these info.
thanks
Arno

Answer -
You need to run a webserver on your computer in order to do this. A webserver should automatically display your website using your IP address.

If you are already running a webserver but can't get it to work, please tell me which one it is, including version, so I can help you.

If you aren't running a webserver, you can get the free Abyss server from http://www.aprelium.com/abyssws/download.php, or the free Apache from http://httpd.apache.org/docs/windows.html

Answer
Here are your problems. Number one, your home computer doesn't have a static Internet address. What you have is IP masquerading through a private network run by your router. That static IP address you were told you have is only the address for your router.

Number two: Internet addresses are assigned by your Internet service provider, not by you. There is nothing you can do by yourself to assign it to your webserver.

If you have a static address on your computer that runs your webserver, that still does you no good because it is an address on a private network run by your router. That address can't be reached directly from the Internet. Also, any address that starts with 127 simply means "loop back to my computer." So those aren't Internet adresses.

You need to get an Internet provider that will give you an actual static Internet address for your webserver. Talk to tech support at your current provider to see if they offer this service. If not, you will have to find one that does. Be certain to tell them that you want to run a web site that is accessible from the Internet, because some providers block access to webservers on home computers.

If there are no providers in your area that will set you up to run a website from your home, you can instead do "colocation." This means setting up your webserver computer to run on the premises of an Internet Service Provider. This is how I run all my webservers. Then you can remotely administer your server with a program such as pcANYWHERE.