Home web server

Keeks

I have an old p166 with 64mb of ram sitting around collecting dust. I thought I might turn it in to a home web server with php/mysql on it, and do a little bit of programming experimenting.

So what I'd like to know is what is the best way to go about? What would be the best distro? and how would I get it to communicate with my windows machine?

donaloconnor

Hey there,

Well if i were you, I would connect both of them through a CAT5 cable. Direct connection. Set up a local network. Install Apache and Mysql and PHP (http://www.apache.org and http://www.mysql.com, http://www.php.net) onto your old pc. Once Apache is running on this, if properly you should be able to create an intranet site. eg goto http://192.168.168.xx Depending on what the IP of the computer is. I would set this to a static IP as a dynamic one could get annoying when trying to check up the site having to find the new ip everytime the pc starts.

Apache,MySQL and PHP together make a great server. I would keep away from IIS. Very troublesome.

Well Others might suggest a different setup, but this would be what i would do.

Donal

// Edit: Sorry didn't see that it was a unix server you have. I have no experience with networking with unix so someone else should help

Dizz

Give gentoo a #bash! Just have your machine as a devoted webserver with no more frills. Supposedly kinda hairy to install but there's loads of docs. Couple of stories posted over at www.osnews.com recently. If you want an easier route use onne of the firewall distros - minimal, secure and have webservers already installed - all you need to do is add your scripting engine (most have perl already installed)

Dizz

Something

I would suggest a minimal install of debian, then...

apt-get install mysql apache php4 php4-mysql

then optimise apache through its configs

But thats just what i would do

[edit]
and samba + proftpd to get it talking with windows nicely.. Samba will allow you to have windows shares on your linux box, makes it v.easy

you may wish to install webmin to help you configure stuff if your not too confident with the old command line.
[/edit]

Typedef

Hmm, Keeks, I'm thinking that Red Hat &/or Mandrake would be the best route for you to go, probably Red Hat, I'm not sure if you are familiar with Unix in general, but, if you haven't done an install of Linux before, Debian/Slackware/Gentoo and the like are about as noobie friendly as a coiled rattle snake, so, I'd advise against them.

So, for you, I'd say get a copy of Red Hat 7.3 or 8.0, install it on the p166, get two network cards (just about any pci cards will do), install the nics into both machines, get yourself some crossover cable and for all intents and purposes you are sorted.

The Red Hat install should be fairly painless for you, and if you are comfortable enough with fitting some pci cards then, all you have to do is configure Apache, with php and MySQL to your tastes.

The ILUG has a list of the willing, who will burn you off a copy of just about any distro you like.

I'm on that list, so, if you need a copy you can drop me a mail.

dahamsta

I'm on that list, so, if you need a copy you can drop me a mail.

Ditto.

adam

Gavin

I'd recommend Debian. Getting a development system up and running using debian packaging system is much easier than redhat's. Searching for rpm's with apache, php and mysql is very awkward and compiling them from source may be hassle for someone new to linux.

If you were installing an os to use as a workstation, then grand go for redhat, but Debian really is much easier to get dev stuff up and running on.

It will take a bit more time doing the install, but nothing a reasonably intelligent person can't handle.

Gav

quozl

yeah the difficulty in installing debian, is more than made up for by the ease in installing everything once debian is up. And any reasonably intelligent 12 year old could install debian
Greg

flamegrill

Originally posted by Verb
I'd recommend Debian. Getting a development system up and running using debian packaging system is much easier than redhat's. Searching for rpm's with apache, php and mysql is very awkward and compiling them from source may be hassle for someone new to linux.

Gav

You can install apt on redhat and have the very same functionality as debian quite easily. Makes for very handy administration

Paul

RicardoSmith

I think a P166 will severely struggle with any sort of modern GUI on it. Especially something like mandrake/redhat. If you run it without the GUI then its very tedious IMO. IIs troublesome? No more then windows itself. I'm running PHP/MySQL on IIs at the moment no problems. But having said that I intend putting it on a UNIX box myself and I'll probably use RED HAT when I get round to it. I tried Mandrake but found it a bit slow in fairness. I wouldn't mind getting an up to date distro of RH if some can put it on a few CD's for me. PM me and we'll sort something out.

Something

there is nothing stopping you installing X and just using it occaionally, with fluxbox or something. Although it is worth developing your command line skillz

you don't HAVE to start xfree boot at startup :rolleyes:

but if its just going to be a webserver then webmin should be enough for quick configuration. nice web based GUI, would be better than X for a webserver.

RicardoSmith

Webmin looks interesting. It mentions the use of photoshop plugins, how does that work?

mneylon

Webmin operates in a modular fashion. The plugins extend its functionality. So, for example, I installed the Mailscanner plugin the other day which allows me to edit most of the configuration parameters for the mailscanner via a nice simple GUI.
If you want to manage a *nix server without headaches Webmin can make it a whole lot easier :-)