Is it possible to host a site/file locally using -say xampp- and tjen access it remotely from other phones using wifi?

Question

I've got this project in mind, that'll solve a couple of problems in my dept, including the voting system. I want to develop a system where people can vote (1.) without internet connection, (2) without having to queue traditionally. so say I develop a web app and host it locally, can people Connect to it on their phones? if so, how? p.s. assume I know nothing about servers yet please...

Answer 1

yes with the server IP address of 192.168.0.1 (depending on the WiFi). their IP will be 192.168.0.xx (intranet) where xx will be the ip assigned to them.

Answer 2

ok I understand now, but as long as it is more than 100 people, I advice you to still use internet so that they could vote from anywhere from the campus, but if you insist that you want to use intranet, you can still host your server locally and give access to.your users by WiFi but they must be within the range of that network.

Answer 3

Yes it is possible if it is hosted locally, but you must do some certain things like

1. Edit you apache.conf to make it accessible publicly with a Static IP.

2. If you don't have a static IP, you will use Dynamic DNS service but I recommend use a VPN that offers static IP.

from there your site can be accessible any where even on your mobile phone with the IP address. If you want to make your site friendly by giving it a domain name, you will subscribe for DNS services (A, CNAME, MX) some are free to try but limited and finally you will need a domain name that will be attached to the DNS and the DNS will be attached to the static IP. After proper setup( check google on how to do this) then you can access your site from any device globally with your domain name.

Answer 4

but when a voting system comes in, is it everybody who wants to vote that will come and use the WiFi especially when they are from the different state. trust me the queue will still be there as long as they are limited to a network of a particular range.

Answer 5

yes I agree especially from a country that thugs collect ballot boxes, politicians bribe returning officers , they will not like this recommendation, they will spend their money hiring computer hackers to cause damage to the system for them to carry illicit acts all for them to win.

Answer 6

@Jay it is impossible if they are not on the same network especially doing a voting system, that is expected to be accessed publicly. What i understand is two questions that are different because without internet connection is a development level but when voting system comes in, it is a productive level which you must need internet.

Answer 7

so phones have access to the network via wifi? if so. like that. using the phones browser.

if you have a local dns server setup you could just type the server domain name and page into the phones browser just like any other webpage

if you dont the user would have to enter the servers ip address in instead of the domain name

i.e setup/install apache locally on a computer. put your webpage/app there. use phone to visit site.

this wont work unless people are in the office and connected to your wifi

Answer 8

I agree with you. It would be much easier to just have it online. But from the question it does seem that the phones will not have internet. Strange way to do it. But I guess it is still better than forms. Don't know how you would handle voter fraud. But I assume this is for like an office thing. not a state or federal election. i.e What should be on the menu at the company picnic type of thing

Answer 9

@Awele. not if the phones dont have internet access. See question 1 point. But yes. everything you stated is true.

Answer 10

@Awele. Open wifi. same network. but yes. it would require attendance

Answer 11

https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/105336/how-to-set-up-a-network-connection-between-android-phone-and-windows-pc-without

Answer 12

looks that way lol

Answer 13

Only adding that if you want to make your local server accessible from the web you may want to look into your router port forwardind options and add some firewall exceptions on the used port.

Answer 14

I made a web page in my ubuntu and was trying to see it in my android.
I used this article to be able to connect the android to my ubuntu via wifi. No internet. It worked in my case.

http://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2014/09/3-ways-create-wifi-hotspot-ubuntu/

Answer 15

thanks @awele, but the voting system is for a small organisation, say a dept in a university...

Answer 16

so, what I have in mind is, everyone (including the server) is connected to a public WiFi (the Dept's WiFi) and they can access the WiFi and make their votes