Ubuntu Server Help

matu

Hi guys,

I have just installed Ubuntu on one of my PC's and i'm hoping to make it into a server that can host websites and so forth. However i'm not sure of what i need to do next. I have googled for help regarding this but i'm a complete newbie to linux and the forums/sites i have been to so far have been for advanced users.

I understand i need to install the following
Apache2
PHP5
MySQL
But how do i do it? Do i just go onto their respective websites, download the files and run them? Or is there something else i need to do. (could i not just download something like apachefriends XAMPP to do it all for me, thats probably a stupid question thou!).

I'm looking for any help or articles regarding this matter
Any help would be greatly appriciated.

(sorry for the dumb questions, i'm sure i'll have more to come..... :rolleyes: )

Matu

Goodshape

Have a look at the Unoffical Ubuntu Starter Guide and Ubuntu Forums <-- good places to get you started.

And get familiar with the 'apt' command, it's what Ubuntu uses to install things and is quite simple to use.

matu

Thanks for your reply Goodshape, i have been on thoes two websites but i'm having trouble following the instructions, for example this is whats on the Unoffical Ubuntu Starter Guide for installing Apache:

1. Read General Notes
2. Read How to add extra repositories?
3. sudo apt-get install apache2

4. http://localhost

Is there any chance you might be able to shed some light on those instructions as i find them fairly vague.

edit* OMG!! how dumb, i just looked at the starter guide in Internet Explorer and it shows up all the code withing the css squares, in firefox it doesn't, erm....thats fu*ked up, the irony! :mad:

tomk

No offence, matu, but as a self-proclaimed complete newbie attempting to set up an apache2 server - is there any chance you have bitten off more than you can chew? I mean, you're asking for help with the instruction "Read General Notes"...!

If you're at all serious about extending your Ubuntu system like this, I'd strongly recommend trying some lower-level stuff first - it doesn't really matter what, as long as it familiarises you with apt, the repositories, and the command line. And if the box in question is only going to be a server, I'd consider using a different distro - Ubuntu is primarily for desktop use, and as such, includes shedloads of apps that are completely superfluous for a server.

parasite

ubuntu should have the repositories set up for you, just open synaptic and install apache etc. from a nice gui if the command line's too scary

matu

tomk wrote:

No offence, matu, but as a self-proclaimed complete newbie attempting to set up an apache2 server - is there any chance you have bitten off more than you can chew? I mean, you're asking for help with the instruction "Read General Notes"...!

I got it all up and running this morning, all i have to do is to sort out some dns pointing and it hey presto i will have my own personal web server! (its live at the moment but only thru its IP address)

The problems i had earlier where complete cack tbh, all the instructions from the www.ubuntuguide.org where not coming up in the browser in firefox so i was wondering wtf is going on here? black boxes? erm.....but in internet exploder all the instructions on how to use the terminal and use the repositories where there. (thank jasus)!

I'm having an issue at the moment thou that someone might be able to shed some light on....? The root folder (www) will not let me create any folders or drop any html/php files into it, it gives me an error stating..."error while moving items to "/var/www". You do not have premission to write to this folder." How do i set my server premissons, presuming that that is the actually problem here? Or do i need to go thru the terminal interface and gedit some more?

*EDIT*
ok, so i right clicked on www folder and went to premissons and tought "brilliant" that was simple!, but it wont allow to alter anything in there, i cant change the premissons to 777 cuz its now stating that "you are not the owner, so you cant change these premissons"?

Goodshape

Those folders aren't owned by you, so you can't change the permission.

You have two options (and maybe someone else will chip in with more);
1) change the owner of the folder to yourself
at a console type: sudo chown [username] /var/www/

2) change the permissions on the folder
at a console type: sudo chmod 777 /var/www/


by using 'sudo' you are telling the machine to run the command as the super user, or root. You'll be prompted for a password when you do this, in ubuntu it's just your normal log-in password unless you changed it.

matu

nice one, you have legendary status in my books Goodshape

Goodshape

glad to help

matu

i wonder if you could help some more....

what do you know security wise regarding running the setup i have....what programs and things do i need to organise. And what do you know about using an ftp client remotely to upload and modify pages on the server?

Goodshape

hmm.. my server's not live and I don't know much about setting it up to be so, sorry.

You probably have quite a bit of reading to do to be honest.. maybe have a look at settup up ssh (check the starter guide) for remote access.

good luck.

matu

yeah, ssh looks the way to go alright

KeRbDoG

i wouldnt use Ubuntu as a server, I would only use it as a desktop OS. You should use Debian instead. Its what Ubuntu is based on. Servers dont need a gui