and I've searched around for a while
Bullshit.
Sorry, but if you really had searched even the slightest bit you wouldn't need to post this. Simply searching "set up local php environment linux" brought up more than enough guides and pages (About 8,030,000 to be exact).
I don't think you understand how a local server works. You set up the environment on your computer and then you can access it using the local IP (regularly seen starting with 192.168...) from another computer on the network. Also, you can access the page by typing localhost, 127.0.0.1/127.0.1.1 depending on configuration, or whatever you set that to in your hosts file into your browser.
This is really basic stuff, I suggest you do some more research before posting because if you continue like this you are not going to fit in here.
Also the reason why I want to host a site on my LAN is because I would like to practice attacking and defending against myself and I was wondering if this would be a good way to simulate and practice attacking actual sites off LAN ??
It is a decent way to do it because you get the practice of writing the defences and launching the attacks against them, so it's a win/win.
You seem like you're on the right track, but seriously, do more research before posting. It will make life a LOT easier for you because you will learn to do these things by yourself and that's key to really learning something. No spoonfeeding at EZ man.
