first steps toward an OpenBSD Apache server ..

[daemonfowl]

Hi verybody !

Maybe it is too soon for a newbie to think of setting up an apache web server ..
in fact it won't be a dynamic php web server for example ...but rather a just a simple static miniwebsite .. what's important for me now is the big picture .. how things work together .. how to implement ssl .. what should be added to pf.conf as rules .. dynamic ip (??) etc ..
Do I need a fully qualified domain name ?? I hope not ..

Hopefully some of my benevolent teachers show me the way through ..

Thanks All !

[ocicat]

Originally Posted by daemonfowl

Do I need a fully qualified domain name ?? I hope not ..

• If your goal is to construct an intranet with no connection to the Internet, the answer is "no".
• If your goal is to connect to the Internet, the answer is "yes".

[jggimi]

At 5.0-release, the built-in Apache server can be started with nothing more than adding a line to /etc/rc.conf.local, and rebooting:

httpd_flags=""

This server's files all live in /var/www. Should you ever want to go beyond serving static web pages, read FAQ 10.16.

[daemonfowl]

Thanks Ocicat ! Thanks Jgimmi !
you've always been of nice help ..
I added the httpd_flags line then did a {sudo apachectl restart} and {lynx localhost} .. it worked :-) ..

starting from the easier .. the intranet .. what else should I set up so other machines within my home network can surf my local miniweb ? download files ..
I am reading the chrooting faq .. new to me ..

[ocicat]

Originally Posted by daemonfowl

what else should I set up so other machines within my home network can surf my local miniweb ?

You have a choice when it comes to name resolution:

• DNS
• /etc/hosts which is covered in the hosts(5) manpage.

Given that you have settled on an intranet, I would suggest the latter. The point here is to be able to specify machines by name instead of IP address.

[daemonfowl]

thanks .. I've read the hosts man page then added this line and changed the htdocs index :

192.168.1.3 volla host1

either $ lynx post1 .. or $ lynx volla .. it shows the new index ..
how about a real apache serving the world ?
I bet I need to register somewhere to use noip or something .. how do I set a qualified domain name please ?

[jggimi]

Originally Posted by daemonfowl

. how do I set a qualified domain name please ?

There are many companies that offer domain name management services for Internet users who's IP addresses are dynamic. Some services may be free, some may require a fee.

You might find it helpful to spend a short time with your favorite Internet search engine.

[daemonfowl]

I meant the OS settings part not the registration part .. the former is most important .. the latter I found some quick visual guides on youtube ..
Thanks @Jgimmi .. for anything you suggest ..

[ocicat]

Originally Posted by daemonfowl

I meant the OS settings part not the registration part

Once a domain name has been registered, the next step is to set up an authoritative DNS server.

Study the nsd(8) manpage. However DNS is an involved topic. You should spend time researching the topic. If you are going to be connecting systems to the Internet in such a permanent manner, you really need to understand what you are doing. At a minimum, this is being a responsible netizen.

[daemonfowl]

I definitely agree .. although I've got no website ready .. the thing is , I believe in understanding by practising ..
Q : once connected .. will it have consequences in case you want to unregister the domain ? I hope there won't be rigid rules in the supposedly free/open net ..

[jggimi]

I wasn't thinking of daemonfowl operating a local domain name server; I was thinking of an external service that would provide a domain name for daemonfowl's externally facing internet address. There are a number of vendors, such as dnspark, dyndns, easydns ... I'm sure there are more.

There are a couple of tools available to inform the service of an IP address change. I use net/ddclient.