Hello,
While choosing hosting for my hobby, I wondered if it's possible to create my own hosting on an old PC without paying for professional services. Although I lack expertise in servers, I'm curious if this idea is feasible for beginners like myself with some guidance from online tutorials.
Upon researching, it appears that creating your own hosting is indeed doable, but there are some challenges such as obtaining a static IP from the provider and configuring DNS when purchasing a domain name.
In conclusion, I'm left wondering if it's worth the effort or if it's simpler to just purchase hosting and focus on my hobby.

It is absolutely achievable to turn this idea into a hobby, and gaining experience in the process would be highly beneficial. In just a few months, you could learn how to do many interesting things deliberately instead of resorting to copy-pasting.
However, if you're solely motivated by cost-saving, it's not worth pursuing. Your time is more valuable, and it's worth noting that using an old computer with a power consumption of 150 watts per month will eat up around 100 kW/h, costing more than hosting fees.

I used to perform advanced maneuvers that I couldn't even imagine doing now. I forwarded the necessary ports on a router and configured a sequence of Router=>Windows=>Virtualbox>OpenVZ>LinuxOS, which made everything work.

Anything is possible, including setting up and maintaining home hosting as a secondary hobby. However, to avoid this hobby from interfering with the primary task of creating and maintaining your own website, it would be wise to do both simultaneously. This involves purchasing a domain name independent of web hosting, buying hosting services for only three months rather than an entire year, and uploading the website to the chosen hosting platform.

Additionally, you could deploy a duplicate of the site on an old computer, purchase an IP address and access it via the IP address. If everything works, redirect the domain to the home server, eliminating the need for paying more for web hosting. If it doesn't work or you don't have the time and interest to learn it, you can stick with paying for hosting services for another year rather than a static IP.

It's perfect for serving a limited number of users, such as an internal corporate intranet/extranet service. However, for a larger audience, it's possible to keep heavy data and business logic on the server to avoid incurring expenses while building a layer on inexpensive shared web hosting that will handle static content and communicate with the server through web services.

Creating your own hosting on an old PC is indeed possible, but it comes with several challenges and considerations. While online tutorials can provide guidance, it is important to note that setting up your own hosting requires technical expertise in server administration.

One challenge you may face is obtaining a static IP address from your internet service provider (ISP). Some ISPs may not offer this service or may charge additional fees for it. Without a static IP, it can be difficult to reliably host a website or services on your home network.

Another consideration is configuring DNS (Domain Name System) when purchasing a domain name. This involves setting up the appropriate DNS records to point to your home server's IP address. This process can be complex and may require advanced knowledge.

Additionally, hosting your own website on a home server means you are responsible for managing and maintaining the server's security, performance, and uptime. This includes tasks like applying security patches, monitoring traffic, and ensuring backups are in place. These responsibilities can be time-consuming, especially for beginners without prior experience.

Considering these challenges, purchasing professional hosting services may be simpler and more reliable. Professional hosting providers offer dedicated infrastructure, support, and security, allowing you to focus on your hobby rather than server management. They also often provide user-friendly interfaces and tools to simplify website management.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your technical skills, time availability, and dedication to learning server administration. If you have the interest and willingness to invest time in gaining the necessary knowledge, creating your own hosting can be a rewarding learning experience. However, if simplicity and reliability are your priorities, purchasing hosting services is likely the better choice.

While the idea of self-hosting on an old PC is appealing, let's be real: unless you're ready to dive deep into server management, it can quickly become a quagmire. Static IPs, DNS configurations, and security protocols are not just technical jargon—they're the backbone of reliable hosting.

If you're not prepared to troubleshoot issues or deal with potential downtime, you might find yourself frustrated. For the sake of your hobby, consider that a modest hosting plan can offer you peace of mind and let you focus on what you love rather than wrestling with server configurations.