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The Apache web server software that comes with your Mac is the same software that made its name by running commercial websites. Anyone with a Mac running OS X Lion (10.7) or an earlier version can set up web sharing by accessing the Apache web server through an easy-to-use interface.
This setup on OS X made it easy for anyone to serve up a website with just a few mouse clicks. The basic web sharing service stayed in OS X until OS X Mountain Lion came out, which got rid of the simplified user interface but kept the Apache web server. You can host a website in two places on your Mac. The first is for websites that each person who uses your Mac makes for themselves. This makes it easy for everyone in a family to have their own website.
How to Set up Mac Web Server
Turning on your Mac’s web serving apps is the first step to web-serving heaven. Apple put the Apache web server in Mac OS X in a place that wasn’t very obvious and called it “Personal Web Sharing.” But don’t be fooled: this little service that comes with every Mac is run by some very powerful software. Apache runs the Internet, and it will soon run the website that you host on your Mac.
- From the Apple menu, select System Preferences.
- Click Sharing, and then click the Services tab.
- Select Personal Web Sharing, and then click the Start button.
- Turn on Personal Web Sharing. (This might take one or two minutes.) After it turns on, look at the bottom of the Sharing Preferences window to find your computer’s IP address and URL. When you test your website later, you’ll need this.
- Now that anyone on the internet can get to your Mac, including hackers and other bad people, you’ll need to protect it. Make sure your Mac’s firewall is turned on by clicking on the Firewall tab. Make sure the box next to “Personal Web Sharing” is checked as well. This will let people get to your site through the firewall on your Mac.
- Remember that we asked you to save those IP addresses and URLs? You can test your web server by typing those into your web browser. (You can also type “localhost,” which tells your Mac to look for its own website.) If your web server is working, one of the pages below will show up.
- Close the System Preferences. You’ve successfully turned on your Mac’s web server.
What is a web server?
A web server is a computer that stores web server software and the files that make up a website. A web server connects to the Internet and lets other devices that are also connected to the web exchange physical data.
On the software side, a web server has a number of parts that control how web users access files that are being hosted. This is, at the very least, an HTTP server. Software that can understand URLs (web addresses) and HTTP is called an HTTP server (the protocol your browser uses to view webpages).
FAQ
Does Mac have a built-in web server?
Mac has an easy-to-use web server that is already built in. It is a great way for your Mac to host a website or web application. You can also use it to test web applications or share files with other users. To set up the web server, you need to open the System Preferences and choose the Sharing option. 7 days ago
How do I turn my Mac into a server?
File Server: Uses File Sharing to allow users to store and share folders and files on Mac mini. …
Time Machine Server: Uses File Sharing to allow users to back up their Mac computers on your Mac mini using File Sharing.
What is required to run a web server?
In order to set up a Web server, you need a dedicated computer (PC or Macintosh) running Windows/95, Windows/NT, or Linux or a Macintosh computer running MacOS. You also need a direct Internet connection and TCP/IP software. You can download shareware HTTP software for these platforms and operate your own Web server.