Hello.
I am relatively new to using Drupal.
I recently installed Drupal 8.5.3 on my localhost - using Wampserver 3.1.0 -  and set up a site featuring Juicebox.
Moreover, I gave administrator permissions to a few people, who cannot, however, access my site, since they get a "This site can't be reached." message.
I already read a few relevant articles, but nothing actually worked out for me.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

pheski’s picture

How would others reach a site limited to your localhost? 

Anonymous’s picture

As I previously mentioned, I am new to Drupal and do not fully comprehend some concepts.
Is there a way for me to make my site accessible for others, without having to pay for a web hosting service?

mmjvb’s picture

Drupal requires a running infrastructure: web server supporting php. Normally, you would request a domain and request a provider to host it for you. When you turn your computer into a web server it is only available on your local network. Suggest to use `ngrok alternatives` to find ways to expose your web server to the internet. You should find localtunnel that makes your site available from internet. Obviously, ngrok does that as well.

In addition you might investigate the possibilities of your router that connects you to the internet. Normally, not configured for exposing your services.

Since this is infrastructure related you might want to ask in other places. Without information about your infrastructure it becomes difficult to help. For the record administrator permissions in drupal are unrelated to not reaching the site. 

Anonymous’s picture

Thank you so much for the useful information, since I was not able to fully comprehend this concept until now.

pheski’s picture

Creating and maintaining a (edit for clarity: PUBLIC) web server is not a trivial task, which is why very few people who create websites do this for themselves. (edit: this is different in security and maintenance implications from creating and maintaining a localhost web server.)

Purchasing a domain (domain_name.com)  is relatively inexpensive. Purchasing hosting services from a commercial ISP can range from inexpensive to very expensive, depending on what one needs. Without knowing what sort of site you are trying to create, it is impossible to offer concrete suggestions.

My opinion: if you are inexperienced enough that you didn't understand the limitations of localhost you are not ready to create and manage a publicly accessible web server.

mmjvb’s picture

Prefer to provide the information to making these decisions for you. Disagree about setting up a web server being difficult. Most packages like WAMP and XAMPP just do that for you. Exposing your local site to internet is not at that stage yet, although it is not that difficult anymore. Whether it is beyond you is for you to decide.

Obviously, agree that hosting is a profession. Building sites and managing infrastructure are two different things. In order to access your local server (the web server on your computer) you need a domain or ip number. When trying to connect from a different device, that device needs to know how to turn the domain into an ip number or specify the ip number, of course. That device needs to be on your network as well. When devices are connected via internet (different networks) the ip number is the one of your router connecting you to internet. The router needs to allow incoming traffic over http, normally not allowed.

Please elaborate on your circumstances if you desire to continue this conversation. 

Anonymous’s picture

I study at the Department of Informatics, so I am still inexperienced regarding this field.
Furthermore, me and my fellow students got assigned a project, which had to be implemented using Drupal.
Nevertheless, using a live server was not part of this assignment.
However, I realise now which is the actual difference between a localhost and a live server as well as this is not Drupal related.
I am so grateful for your help and all the useful information.
Have a great day.

ruggestrong’s picture

use free hosting with domain of 3rd level : yourname.altervista.org   with one click install for drupal 7  https://en.altervista.org/create-free-site.php

Anonymous’s picture

That seems great! Thank you very much!

ruggestrong’s picture

if you want to install drupal eight, manual installation, follow here  

http://forum.en.altervista.org/cms/4412-drupal-8-install-fails-writing-p...

Anonymous’s picture

Thank you so much for the useful information!