Server host

[The Astroman]

Heyzzz

Ok I'm trying to create a webserver, again (lol check my history I've created soooo many threads about this), but this time more seriously cause I'd like to create and host my mom's professional website. Just a small something to show what she does, CV and the yada yada. What I want to know is which webserver I should choose to run on the dedicated computer. Does it have to be run on top of an OS such as windows or linux or is it/can it be an OS in itself? I'm looking for something simple to operate yet powerful and possibly handling FrontPage extensions, if that has anything to do with the host.

Thanks for reading, and happy new year!

 

[axgrinder73]

You can run a web server from windows XP. All you need to do is install IIS from the windows install disk. It's probably not the best way to do it but it would get you started.

 

[Camper]

I believe IIS for Windows XP is a bit limited. I'm not sure of the limitations. You can install Apache on basically any OS including XP.

 

[INTELCRAZY]

You can run a web server from windows XP. All you need to do is install IIS from the windows install disk. It's probably not the best way to do it but it would get you started.

IIS only works with .htm if I am correct... Frontpage writes .htm... Frontpage is horrible...

I believe IIS for Windows XP is a bit limited. I'm not sure of the limitations. You can install Apache on basically any OS including XP.

I would never choose IIS over Apache anyway. Use Apache, it's easy, free and we have a few here who know some things about it.... Apache hosts .html, Dreamweaver and Nvu write .html

 

[Chris Chan]

IIS stinks on ice really. For the best support and community, I'd suggest apache or lighty on debian. I'm running my server with apache on debian and I love it - apache is very well documented and everyone knows how to help. You'd be hard pressed getting support for IIS.

 

[axgrinder73]

I believe IIS for Windows XP is a bit limited. I'm not sure of the limitations. You can install Apache on basically any OS including XP.

Correct, one of the biggest limitations with running IIS on XP is you are limited to 10 connections at any one time. IIS will support HTML.

I agree that Apache is better, but IIS will get the job done.

 

[CentralViking19]

or you can get Windows Server 2003 Web Edition, i don't think its very expensive, but it uses IIS and that what ive used on NT 4 and now Win2003 Enterprise for years

it works pretty good, just make sure if your on a router to open up port 80 to the server, which you will have to give a local static IP, for more information about it look at www.dslwebserver.com they tell you step by step how to do it.

 

[The Astroman]

OK thanx for all the replies. Are there any web server software which double as an OS? If I choose to use apache, what Linux distro would be the easiest to use combined, knowing I have no experience with Linux. Ubuntu?

 

[tlarkin]

OK thanx for all the replies. Are there any web server software which double as an OS? If I choose to use apache, what Linux distro would be the easiest to use combined, knowing I have no experience with Linux. Ubuntu?

You can run apache on windows man. Also, the limitation of connections has nothing to do with IIS, its with Windows client OS. They limit the amount of connections to force you to buy the server edition. I am not even certain if this even affects HTTP connections, I think its only SMB connections.

 

[The Astroman]

I know that, but I'm staying legal and cheap, so I need a free OS such as linux.

I saw Ubuntu had a server edition, I'm guessing that would be the most correct option were I to choose Ubuntu as a distro?

 

[tlarkin]

I know that, but I'm staying legal and cheap, so I need a free OS such as linux.

I saw Ubuntu had a server edition, I'm guessing that would be the most correct option were I to choose Ubuntu as a distro?

You don't need the server edition, I think the server edition may just have some packages pre compiled into the OS itself. You can use any version of Linux and I recommend using an app called webmin to manage it, its easier than manually editing the http.conf file and the apache files with a text editor.

 

[The Astroman]

But the PC I'll be installing it on will be dedicated, it might be better to have the server edition, no nonsense.

 

[tlarkin]

But the PC I'll be installing it on will be dedicated, it might be better to have the server edition, no nonsense.

Not really, I haven't looked at the server edition but if it comes with OD master software, LDAP databases, samba server, CUPS server, etc etc, its just a bunch of junk you won't ever use or need. Post me a link and I can take a peek at it to see if its worth it.

All you need is, your OS, Apache, and most likely the newest versions of PHP and a MySQL database. That should fit almost all your needs for a web server. If you don't have business class broadband a lot of your ports may be blocked by your ISP, so you may be better off just paying for hosting. Most consumer connections have very crappy and limited upload speeds, which will greatly affect your clients connections.

 

[INTELCRAZY]

Try PCLinuxOS... It has Apache pre-installed and is pretty easy... I depended on XP to run Apache, with Apache you just have to drop your .html files into the htdocs folder and name the homepage as index.html...


I can't do any good with Linux, I hate it.

 

[The Astroman]

OK. What bandwidth should I need? I only plan on using FrontPage to upload, so no PHP or MySQL, just html, so just apache and ubuntu?

 

[tlarkin]

Well, you are in Europe, and I have no idea how your broadband works over there. However, to give you an example from here in the USA where I am from, they cap all uploads typically at a 1MB/s or less upload speed. That upload speed is then shared to every computer on your network, so if you have four, you now have 1MBs/4. Now, there is no such thing as 0 packet loss either because of network overhead, so you won't even be getting the fullest potential. Now, lets say that you have 10 clients connected to your webserver, so now its 1MB/14, so on and so forth. They can only browse a page as fast as you can upload the data to them. Now simple web pages don't have tons of data to upload.

Also, take into consideration a lot of ISPs block incoming port 80, meaning all incoming HTTP requests are blocked. Which then you may have to do some configuration finagling and use port 8080, or do some port forwarding. On top of all that you will need to back up and maintain your server on a regular basis.

In all honesty for a simple webhosting solution I recommend these guys"

www.phpwebhosting.com

For $10USD/month you can host it on their servers, they back up and maintain their servers so if a Crash happens they will load your back up for you. It is unmonitored bandwidth meaning they will never charge you over $10 as long as you aren't hosting warez or torrents or porn, well those are forbidden on their services. Then on top of that you get your own email, your own home directory on their server with ssh access, you get PHP, MySQL, apache, and a ton of other things, and you never have to maintain the server.

for 10 bucks a month its totally worth it in my mind, and you can have unlimited sub domains, if you ever wanted to host several sites.

 

[CentralViking19]

i bought windows nt 4.0 at the salvation army for $5.00...lol

 

[Motoxrdude]

Yeah, i would just get some server space online. Hosting it at your house is probably not worth it. For one, your internet connection limits you greatly. That and running a computer 24/7 can be a pain sometimes. I host my website on http://www.inmotionhosting.com/, they are fast and so far 100% up time.