Reference HOWTO: The Perfect Server - Ubuntu Hardy Heron Set-up for Local Network Only? I am new to setting up Ubuntu and LAMP web server. I would like to create a local web server only (no access from outside world) to use as a development environment. Is there anything special I should do during the install/set-up process to ensure that the sever is restricted to only my local network. I assume that the steps in the process shown on the HOWTO opens the server up to the www, but I could be wrong. Thank you in advance for any guidance you have to offer. ~ Misty
Do you plan to set up the server behind a router? Then it's not accessible to the outside world unless you forward port 80 from your router to the server.
this is good timing for this question since I was wondering the same thing as the original question... falko - here's my concern - I'd like to extend this discussion to a mail server as well. if I'm behind a router, I understand that no one will be able to connect to the web server unless I forward port 80. However, what I don't want is for my mail server to start trying to send out mail (or whatever) and draw the attention of my ISP. Does that make sense? At present, I don't pay for the service level that allows me to run a public mail server, but if I can get it up and running locally and I feel comfortable with it, then I'll upgrade my ISP service level. Until then, I don't want any trouble from them. thanks -z
For mail, you must forward port 25 (SMTP). As most dynamic IP addresses are blacklisted nowadays, you should relay your mails through another server: http://www.howtoforge.com/postfix_relaying_through_another_mailserver
