How do I host my own IP address?

[KAK]

I am subscribed to COMCAST via cable connection. I know my IP address
and have registered my own URL. I set up IIS in Windows XP Pro and
opened up HTTP, SMTP, and FTP ports on my router and within XP but the
web pages that are accessed are the ones stored on my ISP site set up
by COMCAST and loaded by me via FTP.
Can I actually host my own web pages from my home LAN or not?

 

[BobC]

I am subscribed to COMCAST via cable connection. I know my IP address
and have registered my own URL. I set up IIS in Windows XP Pro and
opened up HTTP, SMTP, and FTP ports on my router and within XP but the
web pages that are accessed are the ones stored on my ISP site set up
by COMCAST and loaded by me via FTP.
Can I actually host my own web pages from my home LAN or not?

Check out
http://www.dyndns.org
http://www.no-ip.com
and other dynamic dns services.

The problen you have occurs because the IP Address that is assigned to you
by comcast is not resolved by DNS to your computer but to comcast.

The options you have include
Get a dyndns service.
Get your own dedicated ip address and dns service for that address that
resolves to your server.
Host your site on a hosting service that includes dns service.

With an ISP like comcast, it is unlikely and impractical to get a static IP
Address for your server. I believe that comcast's terms of service will not
allow you to run any servers.

For low usage the solution for you may be dynamic dns service.

If you need always available service for your servers, you want a hosting
service for your site.