WebServUSB Applications

 

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WebServUSB has many applications both as a live Internet Server as well as a behind the scenes Intranet server, demonstration server, or developmental server.

 

WebServUSB is also a very handy tool for anyone who wants to learn how to set up a web server or develop websites beyond just the design stage. It allows you to see how your site will work on the web and includes several functions which permit site enhancements. As a local in-house server for debugging websites, it’s very useful and easy to manage. WebServUSB is also superb for carrying on the road, for use with a Laptop. It provides a great way to setup Intranet or Internet file sharing or distribution for projects where you may need to share documents with many people, such as for training or collaboration.

 

There are many applications for WebServUSB, here are a few:

 

Internet Server for Home use:

If you have a DSL or Cable modem connection at home, you can use WebServUSB to serve web pages for your home office. If you have a fixed IP address (check with your service provider) you can get a DNS assignment to give it a permanent web page address. A service such as http://www.zoneedit.com/ will accomplish that for FREE.

 

If your DSL or Cable Modem IP address changes regularly (many do) you'll need to get a Dynamic DNS address which will automatically track the change.

 

Running a web site at home can get complicated, depending on your ISP. One site which is full of resources and forums for helping people get started running web sites from home is the Dsl/Cable Webserver site.

 

Internet Server for business use:
If you have an internet connection that allows you one or more fixed IP addresses (as many DSL and T1 connections do) you can permanently assign an IP address to the machine that the WebServUSB is plugged into. Then you can use an external DNS (Domain Naming Service) service to assign a domain name to that IP address, thus allowing the WebServUSB to be reachable anywhere in the world.

 

Take our WebServUSB demonstration machine for example. Its on a fixed IP address, but we have assigned it a name in a DNS server and can now be reached via the web address http://demo.webservusb.com

 

Once you have a DNS service that converts a name typed into a web browser to an IP address, anybody anywhere on the World Wide Web can reach it. To allow the built in Mail Server to receive email from other locations sent to your Domain name, you also have to get a MAIL EXCHANGE or MX record added to your DNS server.

 

Here are some possible providers for DNS services if your business doesn't already have one:

http://www.dyndns.org/
http://www.dnsmadeeasy.com/
http://www.zoneedit.com/

 

 

Portable Internet Web Server:
WebServUSB is also superb for carrying on the road, for use with a Laptop. A dynamic DNS (Domain Naming Service) service such as www.no-ip.com can be used to allow WebServUSB to have a portable domain name reachable at whatever PC its plugged into.  This flexibility allows you to use WebServUSB with a laptop on the road, and allow you to share files via HTTP or FTP, or run a remote webcam wherever you travel. For example, you could use WebServUSB to run a live WebCam at a Starbucks using the TMobile wireless service they offer. In this role WebServUSB also allow you to run a portable mailserver to be able to send mail via SMTP from whatever internet connection you are plugged into.

 

 

Website Testing and Development Web Server:
WebServUSB is also a very handy tool for anyone who wants to learn how to set up a web server or develop websites beyond just the design stage. It allows you to see how your site will work on the web and includes several functions which permit site enhancements. As a local in-house server for debugging websites, it’s very useful and easy to manage. It provides a great way to setup Intranet or Internet file sharing or distribution for projects where you may need to share documents with many people, such as for training.

 

For example, you could build a website using any of the popular Web authoring programs such as FrontPage, Dreamweaver, Namo, HotDog, Fusion, and Flash MX, and then upload the entire website to the WebServUSB via direct file copy or FTP. Then using another PC on your network, or even the same PC, you could view the website in the browser of your choice, exactly as a HTTP 1.1 compliant web server would output it. This would allow you to test, optimize, and adjust your website prior to publishing on another server.

 

Plus, you can take WebServUSB with you wherever you go! Want to do web development while on an airplane? No problem! Just plug it into your laptop then type in http://localhost or http://127.0.0.1 into your browser to preview your work!

 

Web Scripting Test Bed:
Another great use for WebServUSB is as a test bed for new CGI, SSI, PERL, or PHP based scripts. If you already have a mission critical webserver in use and you don't want to risk script testing that may potentially crash the server, you can use WebServUSB as a low cost, low risk "guinea pig" for development of script code without risking you main server. Then after all your development and testing is completed and reliability is assured. Move it to your main server worry free!

 

Intranet Server for business use:
Even if you don't have an internet connection on your LAN, you can setup WebServUSB to provide file sharing within your network, or as a central place for information lookup, such as manuals, guides, calenders, etc. You can publish HTML content to WebServUSB direct from Microsoft Word or Publisher to the WebServUSB device and then provide a machine address for users on your network to type in and get the published pages.

 

For example, lets say you have WebServUSB plugged into a PC desktop machine called "frontdesk" which is being used in your reception area. Any user on your network should be able to type in http://frontdesk from their web browser and see the default HTML page you've setup. From there you can have links to other pages or direct links to Adobe PDF files, images, movie clips or whatever you like.

 

The only requirement for using WebServUSB as an Intranet server is that you have the TCP/IP networking protocol installed on all machines that are using it.

WebServUSB works well with standalone routers that have built in DHCP IP address assignment, or with DSL or Cable routers that provide an internet gateway. WebServUSb can work behind a firewall, allowing all machines on the firewall protected LAN to access its information, but at the same time keep that information safe from prying eyes outside on the public world wide web. For increased security, you can add IP address rejection to only allow machines from within your LAN to access WebServUSB. Add that to a hardware firewall or DHCP routers built in protection and you've got a rock solid security platform.

 

 

Demonstration Web Server:

Are you a web page developer that visits clients and needs to show your work in their environment? This can be risky, especially if the client isn't net savvy or is using a dialup connection. Why risk your presentation because the client has a crappy or non-existent internet connection?

 

Simply take a WebServUSB with you with your entire web demonstration already on it! Just plug it into your laptop then type in http://localhost or http://127.0.0.1 into your browser to show off your work! Or, setup your laptop on their network or bring a crossover cable or hub and setup a peer to peer network on the conference room table

 

Plus, you can take WebServUSB with you wherever you go! Do you need to finish up and test that last bit of web page work while on the airplane or in the hotel room the night before? That's no problem with WebServUSB.

 

Your other options? Try lugging around a Compaq Proliant or an IBM Netfinity server and getting it through airport security!