Web/remote chat

[Vesta]

Hi,

I have written a client/server chat program in VB6. The way it works is that I have the server part running on my machine, I give my friends my ip and a copy of the client program and they connect. I have been using the chat program to chat with up to 20 people and it works fine.

Here is my question: What I would like to do is upgrade the program so it can handle a few hundred people, and have it running on a web server or something. This way people could connect and chat without having to connect to my machine. I have my own domain name registered and hosted by a web hosting service. Would it be possible to put the VB6 server part of the chat program on a server and have people connect to it? If so would I be able to put it on the web hosting server, or would I need to get my own server? If possible I would like people to be able to connect using either the client part of the program or from a web page, is this possible?

I have been programming in VB for a few years now, but am new to the internet and I would be grateful for any help you can provide.


Thank you.
Vesta

[privoli]

Here's what you need to do...

a). speak to webhosting, find out what OS (most likely *nix)
b). obtain access rights to run a win32 executable if its NT Server
c). obtain access rights through their firewall for your program so it can listen on a specfic port.
d). ensure the .exe runs at boot of server
e). bed webhosting that your .exe is safe

I dont like you're chances of doing either, most webhosting is done on *nix (Linux/Unix) servers, and even if it is NT wont let you run any .exe's at all.

Either get yourself a static route/hostname (http://www.dynip.com) and use that for your friends or ger your domain server on your own premises to run nt server and run your .exe with its own DNS to use a hostname/domain name you own.

Well a dynip account is a good idea, but there are also alot of free dynamic naming services around. try

http://www.linuxfreak.com
or
http://www.namekeeper.com

these are free ip forwarding services and there is no need to buy Dynip


Cheers