The idea of sharing your pictures, events, and information over the Internet doesn't need to seem intimidating anymore! Surprisingly, hosting a Web site from your personal or office computer can be a simple, straightforward task. It can also be a lot of fun, once you've got a basic understanding of how to get started.

In order to host a website, there must be a web server running. The web server is responsible for accepting requests from a visitor and presenting the proper pages in an Internet browser. With DNS2Go, the visitor only needs to enter the domain name, and the Web server handles the rest.

Examples of inexpensive or no-cost web servers include: Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS), Abyss Web Server, Apache, Sambar, and Xitami.

You'll also need software to help create the web pages for your site. Examples include: Microsoft FrontPage, WYSIWYG Web Builder, MoreMotion Web Express, and CoffeeCup VisualSite Designer.

Additional resources are available via a quick Google search.

What if my ISP blocks port 80?

No problem, DNS2Go includes a feature called HTTP Port Redirection.

This feature redirects HTTP (web) requests to a port other than the Internet standard, port 80. Your web server must be configured to listen on the specified port. Redirection is transparent to visitors and overcomes ISP's blocking port 80. If you have a router, you have to open the appropriate port in the router. HTTP redirection is included at no additional charge for all DNS2Go users.

Enable HTTP Port Direction in the Settings Tab of the DNS2Go Client.
- Select the option: Redirect web requests (with a www prefix)
- Select the radio button: To my current IP address on port: X (e.g. 8080)
- Select Apply, then OK.

When selected, requests to your DNS2Go domain name, prefixed with "www" (e.g. www.mydomain.dns2go.com), are automatically redirected to the port you specify. This is just another way that DNS2Go makes running your own site easier than ever.

NOTE: It is important that the URL for your web site is prefixed by "www". This allows DNS2Go to route the request to the appropriate port. Refer to the DNS2Go Help Files for further information on custom Online and Offline settings.

Additional DNS2Go resources: http://www.deerfield.net/support/dns2go/