Download and Run The Software

Head to www.rejetto.com/hfs/?f=di and download Http File Server (HFS). Its is free and open source, and is a standalone executable that requires no installation.

On XP with SP2, when you run HFS, you will be asked about whether or not to allow hfs.exe to connect to the Internet. Unblock HFS. Likewise, if you have a third-party firewall installed, configure it appropriately.

Configure the Port

By default, HFS uses port 80. If your firewall is blocking port 80, set HFS to use some other port (such as 8080 or 8245 and so on). To change the port number, turn HFS off by clicking on the green “On” button at the upper left corner. Change the port and turn HFS back on.

Also, if you are behind a router or firewall, you may, in some rare cases, need to set up port forwarding. The best way to go about this is to go to www.portforward.com. There, choose your router type, then choose the program you want to set up port forwarding for, which in our case is HFS. In such a scenario, you cannot proceed unless you know which router you are using.

Test HFS

To test whether your settings work, click the Menu in HFS and choose “Self Test”. If the test completes successfully, your settings are correct. You should now be able to point your Web browser to your IP address and see HFS’ default Web page.

Register A Domain

For setting up a Web site, you need to first assign it a domain name. For this, you need a DNS service running on your computer. You need to get one from a site that offers such a service. There are quite a few sites that offer such services, and we’ve chosen No-IP. This site offers a variety of free sub-domain names that you can register for your Web site.

Go to www.no-ip.com.newUser.php to create a No-IP account. Log on to the site with the account you created, and click on the Services button. Click on “Hosts/ Redirects” on the left and then on Add. In the page that opens, enter a hostname of your choice and select from amongst the free domains available. Then choose the host type; “DVS Host” (Option A) is usually the best option.

Your ISP might be blocking inbound port 80; to get around this, choose “port 80 Redirect”. When you use this and run your Web server on an alternative port, users will not need to type a port number in the URL.

Click on “Create Host”. Your domain will be available within five minutes of registration. You can use and give out this domain name instead of your IP address.

If you would like to use a domain name of your own, No-IP offers a custom DNS service for a yearly fee.

Install the Dynamic DNS Update Client

Skip this step if you have a static IP. If you don’t, you will need a client software to take care of your changing IP address. Go to www.no-ip.com/downloads.php?page=win to download the No-IP.com Dynamic DNS Update client software. Install it and provide your login details. This program will sit in the system tray and automatically update your No-IP account when your external IP address changes.

Launch your Web Site

You can now decide what page will appear when someone types in the name of your Web sit. To change the default page, open HFS and click on “You are I n Easy mode” to turn on Expert mode. Right-click on the little “house” icon in the Virtual File System (VFS) and click on “Bind root to real-folder”. When prompted, point to the folder that contains the file you wish to display by default on your site. Click on “Default file mask…” and type in the name of the file you’ve chosen for this file, such as “index.html”. These files will be available for download from the opening page.

To make HFS start with Windows, choose Start/Exit > Run HFS when Windows starts. Also make sure to checkmark “Reload on startup VFS files previously open”. You’re done!

The method of Web hosting we’ve described is good enough if you wish to share files with friends or to create content for a few people to view. It is not recommended for high-traffic situations, though.

It’s critical to keep your personal computer cool, particularly as you add newer and potentially hotter upgrades. Overheating can not only crash your system, but permanently damage your CPU and other components.

The solution, aside from your CPU heat sink, is fans, fans, fans. Properly installed, they pull cooler, outside air into your computer and exhaust hot air from near the top of the case.

To figure out how toasty your PC is, Robert Bruce Thompson, author of building the Perfect PC (O’Reilly), recommends starting by measuring ambient room temperature with an ordinary thermometer. Then measure the temperature of air that’s being pushed out by the system fan at the back of the case (not the power supply fan). If the exhaust air is at least 5 degrees hotter than the ambient temperature, its time to take action.

1) BLOW THE DUST AWAY. Accumulated fuzz seriously hampers your heat sinks and fans. Use a can of compressed air, a computer brush vacuum attachment, or a small rubber bulb blower to get the gunk out. You can also use a small vacuum cleaner.

2) BUNDLE YOUR CABLES with tie-wraps to make sure that they don’t block the flow of air.

3) IF YOUR PC is still too hot add more fans. Grab the largest, with the highest RPM, that fits in your case. Quiet fans are spec’d at 30 decibles or lower.

4) FOR DRIVES THAT run extra hot, you can look at special hard disk drive coolers.

“Get all the components from the same vendor. And ensure all products follow the same wireless communications and security standards”

As you buy, and install electronic devices in your house, you will wonder why they don’t work together and exchange data. A system of interconnected devices opens up many possibilities. Attempt the integration on your own and you’d have to deal with interoperability issues, differing standards, communication protocols, and a plethora of cables. But all that is an old story, now that wireless connectivity solutions are becoming affordable. Wireless is not just limited to offices and cyber cafes. You can have it in your home too !

Our advice to all those who want to build a connected home is “Get all the components from the same vendor. And ensure all products follow the same wireless communications and security standards”. Here’s a shopping list for building the connected home.
MUSIC STREAMING DEVICE : Your music is stored on the computer, but you ant to listen it on the hi-fi system in the living room. A music bridge or streaming device makes the connection. The wireless music bridge sits near the hi-fi system and the connections are done using standard RCA or Coax/Optical Digital connectors. For better streaming performance, opt for the new Wireless - G standard.

Products : Linksys Music Bridge, Apple Airport Express, Roku Sound Bridge, Squeezebox.

WIRELESS CARDS : If your music’s on a desktop or notebook that isn’t wirelessly enabled, then consider installing a wireless card. A faster route to wireless here is a USB Wireless Adapter (dongle). Install the drivers and you’re in business.

Products : Netgear WG111

WIRELESS ROUTER : This is the hub of the wireless network that ties all the components together and lets them communicate wirelessly. The router is connected to an Ethernet equipped device such as PC, Game Console, etc.. and to a broadband (ADSL) router for the Internet access. Two important things to check here are, what are the wireless standards supported (802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11n, 802.11g) ? Is the security standard the older WEP or the stronger WPA/WPA2 ?

Products : Linksys, D-Link, Buffalo, Netgear, etc..

PRINT SERVER : This device is optional. It manages print jobs between one or more printers. Printing requests can be received from any device on the wireless network. It’s imperative that the existing printers in your home/office supports the wireless standards of the print server device. Wired PCs can also be connected to it. Convenient if you have computers in different rooms.

Products : Linksys Wireless - G Print Server, Belkin.

IP CAMERAS : An optional device used for home surveillance. Wireless IP cameras can be installed anywhere in the home or garden (within range). Most effective when coupled with a triger such as motion detection sensor. Video streams from multiple cameras can be recorded on a PC. Since the camera’s have an IP address, video streams can be viewed on a Web Browser, anywhere in the world !

Products : Linksys, D-Link etc..

RELAYS : Want to control the lights and curtains and other such accessories in your house through the PC ? These are electrical devices so you will need special interface called relays and PLC bus modules. Of course, it takes an engineering feat to do all the wiring.