Web Servers

Main Page | Session 14 Index | Deploying Your Presentation

The options for putting your web presentation on line are:

1. Set up your own Web Server
2. Establish a Custom (or Phantom) Domain
3. Rent server space directly through an ISP

1. Your Own Web Server

This is the most expensive and labour intensive option, but one that also offers the most control and flexibility. The advantages of running your own server are:

• Total control over content and access
• Space is only limited by the space available on your server computer
• Run any CGI script, server-side Java and JavaScript you desire
• Rent out server space to others
• Your WWW address is a full domain name (is. www.visualcreations.com)
• Direct access to your server's file system

The disadvantages of running your own server are:

• Require a server grade computer ($3000-4000 and up)
• High speed dedicated connection (ISDN minimum, T1 preferred) required to be practical ($1000+ initial setup costs and high monthly fees)
• All maintenance, repairs and upgrades are your responsibility ($???? and time)

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2. Custom (Phantom) Domains

Custom domains are sites set up an ISP's server, but with a full domain name registered as though it were a separate server. The limitations of a custom domain are:

• Little or no control over access
• Often some restrictions on content
• Usually little or no ability to add custom CGI scripts and server-side Java and JavaScript
• Space limitations vary from a few megabytes to 50 megabytes, depending on the ISP's package
• Indirect access to the file system (usually by FTP)

The advantages of custom domains are:

• You have your own full domain name
• Generally a one time setup fee and nominal annual fees ($300 and up)
• Usually T1 or T3 connection to server
• Maintenance responsibility of ISP

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3. Renting Server Space

This is the least expensive method of publishing a web presentation, with the essentially the same advantages and disadvantages as the custom domain option, with the following exceptions:

• Space is usually limited to between 1 and 3 megabytes
• Your address is a directory under the ISP's domin name (ie. www.cgocable.net/video/index.html or home.iSTAR.ca/~reelax/index.html)
• Cost generally starts around $100 and up

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Server Summary

The decision concerning which type of web server access you use is an important one. Keep in mind that if you choose to set up your own server. you must have the time and/or personnel available to maintain it, as well as the financial resources to set up and maintain a dedicated connection.

Although ISP's generally discourage the use of custom CGI scripts from customers, they often provide a service where special scripts may be written for you, for a fee, which will meet your needs. Also, many ISP's provide secure servers for commerce transactions and other features which may provide all that you require for your presentation.