Building a Server

[Zylstra]

Hello

I am building a server. A while back, I was aiming at a Windows based LAMP server (using XAMPP) but when I installed the software, it crashed. (Now I found out that I had installed too much RAM. I simply enabled the full system diagnostics on startup, that fixed the issue)

I was told though, that Linux would probably be better (Even if it used more resources)

What is the best distribution of Linux out there, that has an automatic server instalation?

I was told that with my system, a XFce desktop would be better. I know that Ubuntu works fine on my computer though, so I am not really worried about it.

My system specifications:
700Mhz
200MB RAM
7GB HDD

^^ You can see that I am limited. I dont have a DVD drive on that computer either. (I would prefer a 1 disk instalation)

I need PHP, CGI, MySQL, and possibly OpenSSL

[michaewlewis]

normally I would recommend opensuse, but I'm not really sure how that would perform on your box. Also not sure how secure it is for a server. I suppose it's okay, after all it does have one of the largest followings. You can also install suse with fewer options.
For a minimal system running a web server, perhaps a bsd variant would be good. Check out NetBSD, they have a live CD that uses KDE and I believe they also have a live CD without a desktop manager (you can install your own) that only installs web server apps and sets up AMP for you.
If you are comfortable with *nix, that might be the best option, as bsd is proven to be the most secure *nix out there.

[friny]

Debian

[michaewlewis]

tried anything yet?

[Zylstra]

I need to get a blank CD...
(we dont seem to have many of those...)

Anyways:
I think I am going to try the Ubuntu server, since that will not have a desktop.
If that doesn't work out, I will try an Xampp (on Windows) server

[friny]

Try with Linux Debian http://www.debian.com/ I think that this is the best Linux OS because is totally Open Source and have a extensive list of packages free )Including PHP, MySQL, Perl and others applications that could cover your expectatives. Also, it has an installation interface that permits you to be downloading the software and packages while you're installing the OS.

Regards

[Zylstra]

Try with Linux Debian http://www.debian.com/ I think that this is the best Linux OS because is totally Open Source and have a extensive list of packages free )Including PHP, MySQL, Perl and others applications that could cover your expectatives. Also, it has an installation interface that permits you to be downloading the software and packages while you're installing the OS.

Regards

I am going to try Ubuntu Server, I found out what I did last time to make it unable to function.
I am going to install Debian on my Mac computer, as recommended by my friend for Mac computers, since it takes up less resources.

I am going to use a less used computer for the server that runs at 366MHz, and probably about 128MB of RAM, it should work.

[phoenix910]

Ubuntu works fine. SLAMPP is an instant easy server - if you're lazy, use this, because it's a server on a live CD.

-Stephen

[Zylstra]

Funny thing, I got it half working on one computer, and then I transfered the HDD, and it stopped working... which, is understandable.

The other computer has, lets say, "issues" booting from the CD. 

Anyone know what that boot floppy program is that makes it so you can boot your computer off a selected medium?

[michaewlewis]

F10 doesn't bring up the boot device menu?

[Zylstra]

F10 doesn't bring up the boot device menu?

No, its a bit too old for that...
Perhaps I should upgrade, I would use my hard drive eater, but the name of that computer (hard drive eater) explains why I don't. It literally ruins any HDD that you put in it.

[michaewlewis]

here's an opensuse page that shows how to use floppies to do an internet install...
link

[Zylstra]

Well, everyone, my final decision was Ubuntu Server, which did not have a promising 15 minute instalation process... let alone, guided. Nevertheless, it works...
(Still tying up the final knots)

Anyways, I actually went with a slower computer
366MHz

Real memory    186.60 MB total, 70.49 MB used
   
Virtual memory    188.22 MB total, 0 bytes used
   
Local disk space    2.79 GB total, 848.39 MB used
   (Using that hard drive was a mistake, but I guess I can use a software RAID)

Thanks everyone!

[scooterpickleman]

ok im really sorry if i sound like a noob, but i have no idea how to make a server and i am kinda curious. it would be nice to have one for my own website. can you just use an old computer because i have an old one just sitting around that i could use. i dont know just give me a simple explanation please i can then look into it further myself. thanx

[Zylstra]

How old the computer can be or how slow it is really depends on the type of website.
For what I am doing, some old random computer I had in the basement works fine, its only serving HTTP pages and has a few modules (PHP, Perl, SSL, etc) with FTP (only for me, but its being an issue)
I dont plan on having more than 10 people on at once, so its all good. The more people, the more you will need.

If you want to make a server, you need a OS, and a guide to follow.

I used Ubuntu Server Edition (doublecheck the edition before you download) from www.ubuntu.com
I followed this guide:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/ApacheMySQLPHP#head-f23816a61d5dc93fe2430a8e2a149414f015250e
I used, for the most part, the IRC server irc.freenode.net and channel ##linux for quick support when I needed answers somewhat fast. (I think they got tired of me asking questions after a while)