An old Windows 7 era PC/Laptop (or newer): Even if it’s too slow to run newer versions of windows (hardware wise it must be fully working, and have a network socket). You will also need a separate Windows PC connected to the same network to remote control your new server, although it would be possible to do this from a Linux desktop PC too.
An Internet connection: Preferably wired (to your old pc or laptop) but wireless may work also. The faster the better, recommended fibre optic but ordinary broadband would be ok, just a bit slow.
A static IP address: This is a series of numbers which identifys you when online that remain the same, as opposed to being different each time you log on to the internet. If you’re not sure what this is, ask your ISP. Be aware, not all ISP’S will provide you with a Static IP address, the ones that do may offer them FREE or for just a small one-off fee. Most newer or budget ISPs put thousands of residential customers behind CGNAT, where you share a single public IP address with hundreds of neighbors. CGNAT completely breaks self-hosting because you don't have an incoming public IP, in other words running a web server on these types of broadband account is impossible. Most business broadband packages come with a static IP address as standard, and where you can still (in most cases) get one of these accounts, even if you are not a business, they can cost more.
It is possible to use something called “Dynamix” if a static IP address is not possible (CGNAT,still wont work), this system is supported by the server software, however it is beyond the scope of this website. For more information please visit https://dynamix.run/ and also https://ehcpforce.tk/.
£15, For a Domain Name: This is an address that will link back to your server, for example google.co.uk, facebook.com, Freds-Spares.org, you get the idea. This will cost around £15 a year for a .co.uk. You will then need to set this up as a Name server which links back to your Static IP address.
I will explain how to do this later in the guide, don’t worry it sounds more complicated than it actually is.
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