Host a Web Site
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How to use Web Front Pages and Aliases with your FSG/DTG/NDP (Freecom Network Device or FND)
First: if you want to make it really difficult for yourself, then set up your FND in the ACP (admin control panel) as router (depending on firmware) and put it behind the modem/router in your network setup.
So: ADSL line---modem/router---(WAN)FND(LAN)---PC1/PC2/etc
However: if you want to make it easy (recommended):
- set up your FND as switch
- connect it to your network as if it was a computer (e.g. ADSL line--modem/router--network switch---pc1/pc2/your FND)
- make the modem/router the only dhcp server in your network
- via LAN setup in your modem/router assign a specific IP address to the MAC of your FND
- let's say the assigned ip address is 192.168.0.10
- in your modem/router forward port 80 to 192.168.0.10
- do not use the dynamic DNS service of the FND but instead use the one in your modem/router
- rename an empty .txt file to index.html and edit some text like: "you found the index.html in the main directory" inside; put it in your target website folder
- if you plan using PHP/MySQL (see:Enable PHP to run PHP driven websites) then make another file, but call it info.php and edit inside it:
<?php phpinfo(); ?>
Always remember: there are many users who have no trouble at all using the FND as a webserver, so all that remains is your ability to make it work in your network setup. If things do not go smoothly, it's more likely you have little experience with networks or websites: A WEBSITE NEEDS TO BE BUILT, IT NEVER COMES OUT OF THE BOX!
Creating a Dynamic DNS account (e.g. dyndns.org) and setting up a host
Remark: You need to have a Dynamic DNS account, e.g. at www.dyndns.org. Continue with step "Login to your DDNS account" if you already have one.
- Browse to http://www.dyndns.org to create a No-IP account (valid e-mail address required).
- Click on „Sign-up now!“ next to the Login button. Enter the required information in the next window and click on “Sign-up Now!”.
- You will get an e-mail from dyndns.org requesting you to activate your account (might take some minutes). In this e-mail you will find a link to activate your account. Click on this link.
- Login to your dyndns.org account and create a host.
Creating a new host
- Select „Hosts/Redirects“ -> „Add“ from the menu.
- Enter your desired name as „Hostname“ and select a domain name, e.g. „dyndns.org“. Choose a different hostname or domain if the selected name is already in use.
- Click on “Create Host” to finish creating the first host.
- To verify your settings, click on „Hosts/Redirects“ -> “Manage“.
Setting up your FND
- Go to „Services“->“Dynamic DNS“
- Select „dyndns.org“ as service. ONLY do this if your FND is the main router and first gateway for other pc's, otherwise configure your modem/router to do this.
- Enter the host you created in step "Creating a new host" (e.g. “myDDNS.dyndns.org”).
Remark: With this host you can reach the configuration page from outside, e.g. via HTTP/FTP/SSH
- Username: the e-mail address you used for registration at dyndns.org
- Password: your dyndns.org password
- Repeat password: your dyndns.org password again
- To access the configuration from outside, you need to activate „Open HTTP Server to the outside...“ and „Access for Configuration pages from the Outside“ in the menu „Services“ -> “HTTP Server“.
Setting up Web Front Pages
- Create a new folder in the FND Configuration, e.g. “Homepage”.
- In „Services“ -> “HTTP Server“ select „New“.
- Enter a name (e.g. „My_Homepage“).
- Enter the second host you created in step 4 in "Creating a new host" as “DNS Name” (e.g. „homepage.myDDNS.dyndns.org“).
Remark: You can put any name in front of the host as entered in step 2.1. so f.i. you can use something else for another website. For example a musicbrowser with all your music files: something like mp3.myDDNS.dyndns.org and for your online photos maybe photoalbum.myDDNS.dyndns.org
- Enter any port in „Port“ (we recommend using port 80, otherwise you have to enter e.g. http:// myDDNS.dyndns.org:81/ where 81 is the port you selected).
- As „Folder“ select the folder you created in step 1 of this chapter.
- If you are hosting a PHP driven website, check the box 'enable PHP'. You also should be running MySQL, configure the appropriate files (e.g. config.php) to point to the database etc.
- Click on „Apply“ (HTTP Server will be restarted afterwards).
- put the index.html you made earliers in the selected folder. This html page will automatically be opened when accessing your host (e.g. „http://myDDNS.dyndns.org“).
At this point you may want to familiarize yourself with how to Make Use of an Alias.
It is strongly recommended to use a good and comprehensive folder structure as mentioned in the former article. For enhanced security make the target folder always the same (an empty one) and then redirect with the alias function to the folder of your choice.
FAQ
Q: Must DDNS hosts be in the same domain?
A: No.
Q: Can I use different hosts from different providers?
A: Yes, you can, but only if you use a DDNS update client in your modem/router (e.g. your FND is in switch mode).
