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David Soden

Times have changed; people and companies are now putting everything online. Money is also of concern. Millions are out of work. What if you could learn to convert your home or small office pc into a REAL web & database server, pay no money, and only pay for just the domain name every year? Imagine how much money you could save on hosting one or more websites this way? Great for working with clients, testing new development, or just hosting the end final product, even a WordPress site. Convenience is the real benefit as everything is local, save time constantly from uploading your website again and again with each change. Everything is local. The first half of the course is free; I want you to see if you can get comfortable with some technical terms. I even include a practice test to make sure you have what you need before proceeding to the next steps of doing the actual work. If you feel comfortable and follow along, you should pay to get the full course, test, and information, including the great downloads. If you are just curious about how the Internet works, then enjoy just the free portion as my thank you to you for taking the time to view my videos and this course.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Simple & basic internet networking
  • Basic firewall and security
  • Web hosting & database software
  • How to host multiple websites with different domain names
  • Ssl certificates
  • Wordpress examples

Syllabus

Introduction
Understanding internet terminology like "IP Address", "DHCP", "DNS", "FIREWALL", and how the internet works generally speaking. Please pass the practice test before paying for the course.
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Use this test to see if you learned enough to continue for the rest of the course

I have provided 3 files - each File is a Dave's WordPress Quickstart Kit.

  • The file that begins with the letter "a" is the Quickstart Kit with the Divi Theme & Builder.

  • The file that begins with the letter "b" is the Quickstart Kit with the Elementor Builder

  • The file that begins with the letter "wp" is the Quickstart Kit with the native WordPress Gutenburgh Builder

Download the attached content

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Provides practical knowledge on setting up web and database servers, which is valuable for developers and small businesses looking to manage their online presence
Covers essential aspects of web hosting, including domain names, IP addresses, DNS, and SSL certificates, which are fundamental concepts for anyone managing websites
Includes WordPress examples and best practices, which is beneficial for users looking to build and manage websites using this popular content management system
Emphasizes security and backup procedures, which are crucial for protecting websites and data from potential threats and data loss
Uses XAMPP, which may be unfamiliar to some learners and may require additional setup and configuration
Focuses on older methods like Dynamic DNS, which may be less relevant with the advent of newer technologies like Cloudflare Tunnel

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Reviews summary

Self-hosting websites: practical diy guide

According to learners, this course provides a practical and cost-saving approach to hosting websites from home. Students appreciate the step-by-step instructions on setting up a local server using XAMPP, securing it, and handling DNS challenges. Many found the hands-on examples, including WordPress installation and configuration, particularly helpful. While the initial sections covering basic terminology are considered a good primer, some reviews suggest a basic understanding of networking is beneficial to fully grasp the more advanced topics. The inclusion of updated content addressing modern solutions like Cloudflare Tunnel is seen as a significant improvement, indicating the instructor's effort to keep the material current.
Includes modern, firewall-friendly methods.
"The addition of the Cloudflare Tunnel section is great; it offers a simpler way around firewall issues."
"It's good to see the course being updated with recent technologies like Cloudflare Tunnel."
"Using Cloudflare Tunnel is a game-changer compared to traditional port forwarding, glad it was included."
Covers security, SSL, and dynamic IP issues.
"The sections on securing the server and handling dynamic IPs using DNS updates were very important."
"I found the explanation of SSL certificates and how to implement them quite useful."
"Addressing the challenges of hosting with a dynamic IP and firewall was a key takeaway."
Effective way to save money on hosting.
"Learning to host from home is a huge money saver, especially for testing and small projects."
"The potential cost savings compared to traditional hosting are a major draw for me."
"This course delivers on its promise of showing how to host affordably without external providers."
Detailed steps for setting up a home server.
"This course walks you through exactly how to set up your own web server at home, which is incredibly practical."
"I was able to follow along easily and get my test site running locally just as the course described."
"The instructions for configuring XAMPP and getting multiple sites hosted were clear and actionable."
"It provided me with the step-by-step guide I needed to actually make this work."
Beneficial to have basic technical knowledge.
"While it starts with basics, having some prior understanding of networking helps significantly."
"I think a complete beginner might struggle slightly with some of the concepts if they have zero tech background."
"Understanding terms like DNS and IP addresses from the start makes following the course easier."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Host websites for (Dev/Test/Prod) at home or small office with these activities:
Review Basic Networking Concepts
Solidify your understanding of fundamental networking concepts before diving into hosting. This will make the course material easier to grasp.
Show steps
  • Review definitions of IP addresses, DHCP, DNS, and firewalls.
  • Research how these components interact to enable internet access.
  • Take a practice quiz on networking fundamentals.
Review 'Networking All-in-One For Dummies'
Gain a broader understanding of networking concepts to better contextualize the course material.
Show steps
  • Read the sections on IP addressing, DNS, and firewalls.
  • Take notes on key concepts and definitions.
  • Relate the book's explanations to the course's introductory material.
Set up a Test Website
Practice setting up a basic website on your local machine using XAMPP. This hands-on experience will reinforce the concepts taught in the course.
Show steps
  • Install XAMPP on your computer.
  • Create a simple HTML page.
  • Place the HTML page in the XAMPP 'htdocs' directory.
  • Access the page through your web browser using 'localhost'.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Review 'WordPress All-in-One For Dummies'
Gain a deeper understanding of WordPress to better utilize it for web hosting.
Show steps
  • Read the sections on WordPress installation and configuration.
  • Explore the chapters on theme customization and plugin management.
  • Experiment with the techniques described in the book on your test website.
Document Your Hosting Setup
Create a detailed document outlining the steps you took to set up your web server. This will help solidify your understanding and serve as a reference for future troubleshooting.
Show steps
  • Record each step of the server setup process.
  • Include screenshots of configuration settings.
  • Explain the purpose of each setting and its impact.
  • Organize the document in a clear and logical manner.
Follow Advanced WordPress Tutorials
Explore advanced WordPress topics like security hardening, plugin development, and theme customization to deepen your knowledge.
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on WordPress security best practices.
  • Implement the security measures described in the tutorials.
  • Explore tutorials on creating custom WordPress themes or plugins.
Contribute to a WordPress Plugin
Contribute to an open-source WordPress plugin project. This will provide practical experience and expose you to real-world development workflows.
Show steps
  • Find an open-source WordPress plugin project on GitHub.
  • Identify a bug or feature request to work on.
  • Fork the repository and make your changes.
  • Submit a pull request with your changes.

Career center

Learners who complete Host websites for (Dev/Test/Prod) at home or small office will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Web Developer
Web developers design, build, and maintain websites. This course helps web developers gain a better understanding of how to host their own websites for development, testing, or production purposes. The course will be useful for web developers. Skills in configuring DNS, solving IP address problems, and setting up web and database servers, as covered in this course, are directly applicable to the tasks of a web developer. The course addresses the use of WordPress.
Webmaster
A webmaster is responsible for maintaining and managing one or more websites. The course will be extremely useful for any seeking that role. Skills in configuring SSL certificates, securing web servers, and backing up data, as covered in the course, are directly applicable to the responsibilities of a webmaster. The course will be useful for anyone wanting to become a webmaster. Understanding how domain names work, configuring DNS, and troubleshooting IP address issues will prove greatly beneficial.
Web Administrator
A web administrator maintains and manages websites, ensuring their functionality, security, and performance. This course helps build a foundation for website administration by covering essential topics like basic internet networking, firewall security, and web hosting software. Skills in configuring SSL certificates, securing web servers, and backing up data, as covered in the course, are directly applicable to the responsibilities of a web administrator. The course will be useful for someone hoping to administer web sites. Understanding how domain names work, configuring DNS, and troubleshooting IP address issues will prove greatly beneficial for any web administrator.
Systems Administrator
Systems administrators are responsible for the upkeep, configuration, and reliable operation of computer systems, including servers. The course helps illustrate how to set up a web and database server on a home PC, as well as how to solve IP address change problems. Aspiring systems administrators benefit from the course. The course's focus on securing and backing up servers, as well as configuring SSL certificates, are critical for maintaining the integrity and security of systems. This information also helps systems administrators handle web hosting and database software.
Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts protect computer systems and networks from cyber threats. The course helps build a foundation for securing web servers by covering basic firewall security and SSL certificate configuration. Skills in backing up PCs or servers, as addressed in the course, are crucial for protecting against data loss and ensuring business continuity, key responsibilities of an information security analyst. Information security analysts benefit from learning to secure WordPress.
Database Administrator
Database administrators manage and maintain databases, ensuring their integrity, security, and availability. The course helps database administrators to set up a web and database server on a home PC. Database administrator's can use skills in securing and backing up data, as well as configuring SSL certificates, to protect the integrity and security of databases. This is covered in the course. The course addresses the use of WordPress.
IT Support Specialist
IT support specialists provide technical assistance to users and troubleshoot computer-related issues. An IT support specialist will find this course helpful, as it clarifies internet terminology like IP address, DHCP, DNS, and firewall. The course offers an understanding of how the internet works. IT support specialists benefit from the course's practical guidance on solving IP address change problems and prepping a home for hosting, allowing them to better assist users with these tasks. The course also covers securing and backing up data.
Technical Support Engineer
Technical support engineers provide advanced technical support to customers and resolve complex technical issues. The course introduces students to internet terminology like IP Address, DHCP, DNS, and FIREWALL. The course offers insights into basic internet networking that are relevant to the role of a technical support engineer. The course covers solving IP address change problems. Learning how domain names work may be useful for the technical support engineer.
Network Engineer
A network engineer designs, implements, and manages computer networks. This course may prove useful for a network engineer wishing to broaden their understanding of hosting. The course's exploration of basic internet networking, IP addresses, and DNS configuration provides valuable insights into the fundamental principles of network infrastructure. The course offers an opportunity for a network engineer to learn how to manage domain names and solve DHCP ISP problems.
IT Consultant
IT consultants provide expert advice and guidance to organizations on how to use technology to achieve their business goals. This course provides the knowledge and skills necessary to host websites at home or in a small office, as well as an understanding of internet terminology. An IT consultant might be a good fit for this course. Skills in configuring SSL certificates, securing servers, and backing up data, as covered in the course, are highly relevant to IT consulting projects. The course addresses the use of WordPress.
DevOps Engineer
DevOps engineers automate and streamline software development and deployment processes. This course may be useful for DevOps engineers implementing websites. DevOps engineers will learn the course's techniques for hosting multiple websites with different domain names. The course will aid the DevOps engineer in learning how to configure SSL certificates and securing the server. The course touches on the use of WordPress and the quickstart kit.
Software Engineer
Software engineers design, develop, and test software applications. This course may be useful for software engineers deploying software to the web. This is because the course covers the use of web and database server, and how they might be set up on a PC. Skills in configuring SSL certificates and backing up data, as addressed in the course, are relevant to ensuring the security and reliability of software applications that are built and deployed by software engineers.
Cloud Computing Technician
A cloud computing technician deploys, manages, and maintains cloud-based systems and services. The course's instruction on understanding how domain names work and solving the DHCP ISP problem can be valuable to cloud computing technicians. The course covers the use of Cloudflare. This may be useful for a cloud computing technician who wants to broaden their existing skillset. The course covers configuring SSL certificates.
Technical Trainer
Technical trainers deliver training programs on technical topics to employees or customers. This course may be useful for a technical trainer looking to learn about hosting web sites. The course covers the use of web and database servers, and how to set them up on a PC. Skills in configuring SSL certificates and backing up data make the course helpful for any technical trainer.
Solutions Architect
Solutions architects design and implement IT solutions that meet business requirements. This course may be useful for solutions architects planning to host web sites. An understanding of how to host multiple websites with different domain names will be useful. The course covers the use of Cloudflare. A solutions architect may wish to understand internet terminology like IP Address, DHCP, DNS, and FIREWALL.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Host websites for (Dev/Test/Prod) at home or small office.
Provides a comprehensive guide to WordPress, covering everything from installation to theme customization. It's a useful resource for both beginners and experienced users. It can be used as a reference text for the WordPress-related sections of the course. It provides additional depth on WordPress topics.
Provides a broad overview of networking concepts, suitable for beginners. It covers topics like IP addressing, DNS, and security, which are essential for understanding web hosting. While not a deep dive, it's a good resource for building a foundational understanding. It is useful as additional reading to supplement the course.

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