port

Apr 27 2009

Web Serving Made Easy Part 1

In the next month (or two) I’ll cover the scope of web serving on MacOS X
Jaguar. You don’t need the server edition, and you don’t need to buy anything
else. Today is going to be the basics, next week we’ll learn how to do port
forwarding and get a domain name.

The first part of web serving is turning Apache on. Apache is the world’s
most popular web server, and it happens to come built into OS X! To turn it
on just head over to System Preferences and choose Sharing. Click the checkbox
next to "Personal Web Sharing". That’s it…. You’ve just started up your own
web server.

Fire up your web browser and type ‘localhost’ into the link bar. This is a
de facto address for your compute, so in other words your browser is going
to be asking a web server on your computer for its index. You should be greeted
with a simple page that comes with Jaguar. If not, make sure you’ve turned
on "Personal Web Sharing".

In your home folder there is a folder called "Sites". Anything you
place in this folder can be accessed via the web by messing with the url: localhost/~username will fetch
the files located in the site folder of the user dubbed "username". Try it
out with your username. You should see another simple web page that’s built
into the system.

Here’s where it gets interesting. If you are not behind a router, and have
broadband you’ll be able to share files or set up a web site for all to see.
If you are behind a router, you’ll have to wait until next week. If you don’t
know if you’re behind a router, just continue and see what happens… It can’t
hurt.

Your friend can’t use localhost because
that will make his browser look on his computer. You have to tell it to look
on yours. Look up your IP address by going to System Preferences and choosing
Network. Highlight and copy the IP address and then make it into a link like
this:

http://youripadress

If a friend can type that into her browser and get the same page you saw,
then you’ve successfully completed part one. Stay tuned in the coming weeks,
I’ll be showing how to do everything from IP forwarding to installing MySQL.

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Apr 27 2009

Web Serving Made Easy Part 2

By: Jon Gales

Last we left it, we had Apache running like a champ. The downside was that
unless you were connected directly to the internet, you weren’t able to connect
to your server from the outside world. Today, this will change. We are going
to learn the joy of port forwarding.

We are going to tell your router the directions to send the right people (the
ones who want your web server) to the right place (your computer). There is
a little difference between different routers, but the first part is the same.

  1. Go to: System Preferences > Network
  2. Write down your IP address (should
    be something like: 192.168.1.100)
  3. Close up System Preferences

Now, the directions change depending
on what router you have. The two biggest choices are:

  • Apple Airport
  • LinkSys Cable DSL Router

For readers with an Airport, click here. For readers with a LinkSys or something
similar (IE not from Apple) click here.

—

Airport Configuration:

  1. Open Utilities > Airport Admin Utility
  2. Click the Port Mapping Tab
  3. Click add and set the Public Port to 80, Private
    IP Address     to the IP address
    you wrote down, and Private Port to 80.

Make sure your screen looks something like this.

—

LinkSys Configuration:

If you are not using a LinkSys router, consult your manual. Try this though,
it might work.

  1. To visit the config page, visit http://192.168.1.1
  2. If you have not set-up another password, it is admin. There is no user
    name.
  3. Once there click on the Advanced tab
  4. Click Port Forwarding
  5. Type 80 into boxes opposite the ~ and the last three numbers of your local
    IP address (the one you wrote down) into the box on the far right. All
    three numbers should be on the same row.
  6. Click Apply.

Your set-up should look something like this.

Now, test the forwarding by typing in your REAL address into your link bar.You
can find this IP address by visiting WhatisMyIPaddress.com.
You should find the same thing you found last week. If not, go back over
the forwarding instructions above. Make sure you write down this address
if you’re likely to forget it.

A lot of people don’t understand what port forwarding is, so here’s my analogy.

Some people are lucky to live in a gated community. These gated communities
usually have a rent-a-cop that mans the gate. Your router is this rent-a-cop.
Port forwarding is just telling the guard that when he sees a delivery truck,
send it to his house. The web visitor (the one who wants your web site) is
the truck.

So now, that IP address is a pain to remember. Aren’t you glad you can type
in www.apple.com instead
of 17.254.3.183? Here’s how
to get an easy to remember name, without spending a penny.

DynDNS.org offers a service
that you can register for free that will allow you to have an address like:
yourname.dyndns.org. Pretty lame name, but it’s
better than numbers. there are a few other services like this, but I’ve had
the most success with DynDNS. It’s easy to setup too, you’ll just need info
like your IP address. You’ll be able to share this with friends. They will
probably think you’re really cool, but don’t expect them dissing you about
your plans next weekend–you’re now officially a nerd.

What to expect next week? Activate PHP, run CGI scripts and other cool stuff.
Maybe even installing MySQL!

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Apr 27 2009

iTV

Watch video from all kinds of sources on you Mac with this weeks picks.

WatchIt

To remind yourself to watch or record you favorite programs, use this free application. List your channels and set reminders.

DVArchive

This OS X java port of a popular Windows program lets your Mac play from and record to your ReplayTV.This utility also imports other formats.

Vidi

Have a Formac Studio DV/TV converter? Then you’ll want Vidi to record TV on your Mac. This application also controls channels and adjusts picture. It can even record video in the background.

VLC

Here is a piece of freeware you can use regardless of your hardware. Also a port from Windows and Linux, VLC plays all kind of media including VCD and DivX video.

Now that you’ve got something to watch I’ll leave you to it. Until next week,

Brian

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