ASP and Windows Server 2003

Hello, I am BRAND NEW to ASP and have actually never programmed using ASP before (I've done Visual Basic, C++). I have a WebHost, but they don't support ASP. However, I do have a copy of Windows Server 2003. My question: can I run and create a similar environment to a webhost using Windows Server 2003 w/o having to pay for a webhost? Is this a difficult task? Any tips would be very helpful.

Many web servers run windows server 2003 as their web server os. Yes, you can run a similar environment. If you want this web server to be available to users all over the net, then you will need an internet connection (capable of enough bandwidth) to your web server. Many companies that offer broadband do not allow the user of a computer as a web server, though. Secondly, You would still have to pay for a domain name through a registrar and point the dns to your server.

My 2 cents

The answer is yes to all. However, it is not advisable. It is usually cheaper to pay for hosting and use their bandwidth than to have your own machine. Also, unless you know what you're doing, running a windows server open to the internet can be a very large headache.

Well, ultimately what I am looking for is a way to run ASP files locally on my PC. I want to learn ASP without having to pay for web service. I don't really care if the outside world can access it or not.

if it's only local that you want to do this, then you shouldn't have a problem ... just need to make sure IIS is installed on the system that you want to use ... so, yes, the windows server 2003 would be fine ...

Yes you can.As mehere says you need to make sure that IIS is installed on your machine.

Also you need to enable ASP. In IIS 6 which comes with Windows 2003 Sever, it is turned off by default.

How to install IIS and run ASP on Windows Server 2003

1. When you start the Windows Server 2003, you should see the Manage Your Server wizard
2. If the wizard is not displayed, go to Administrative Tools, and select Manage Your Server
3. In the wizard, click Add or Remove a Role, click Next
4. Select Custom Configuration, click Next
5. Select Application Server role, click Next
6. Select Enable ASP.NET, click Next
7. Now, the wizard may ask for the Server 2003 CD. Insert the CD and let it run until it is finished, then click the Finish button
8. The wizard should now show the Application Server role installed
9. Click on Manage This Application Server to bring up the Application Server Management Console (MMC)
10. Expand the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager, then expand your server, and then the Web Sites folder
11. You should see the Default Web Site, and it should not say (Stopped)
12. IIS is running!
13. In the Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager click on the Web Service Extensions folder
14. Here you will see that Active Server Pages are Prohibited (this is the default configuration of IIS 6)
15. Highlight Active Server Pages and click the Allow button
16. ASP is now active!

You access the server by typing http://localhost in to your browser address bar. You cannot acces .asp pages using file -> open