Building a Server Web Host

[Orcblood]

I'm looking at building a server for hosting a website i will be designing Actually I already started on the html and css. I've messed with wamp already on windows but don't want to have it running on my main rig. I'm thinking of putting it on a lamp server running Ubuntu Server.

 

Hardware: I will be using some old parts lying around from an old computers builds in the past. CPU: phenom ii x4 965 black. GPU: radeon 4450 (don't need anything great)  Ram 4gb 1600mhz.. PSU 750w. HHD 320 laptop hard drive (yeah, I know, bad idea but i'm in collage. not much $). Just need to buy a motherboard and a case. But yes hard drive will probably be first upgrade to the rig just want it up and running with the least amount of cost. 

 

 

So here are some of my questions listed in order of importance. Don't need to answer all questions :

 

• What linux server OS do you recommended? Like what's noob friendly but has good security? 
• Any good apache and linux server books, websites you recommend?
• How about any good networking books?
• Any recommendations or advice?
• If you learned to build a web server what helped you out and how'd it go?

[Ssoele]

@jman629

 

First, if you are serious about this, get server grade components. What is you line like (mainly your upload)?

 

Second, it's probably a much better solution to just rent some hosting space at a hosting provider. You will have better uptime, better support and more other betters.

[iruixos]

A couple of friends and I used to have a Debian server running webmin (http://www.webmin.com/), which I'd recommend.

[MikkoP]

Ubuntu is quite easy to use. I personally set up a virtual machine first and messed up in a virtual network. Even though I liked Ubuntu, I'm still going to reinstall Windows Server 2012 R2 on my server when it's time to upgrade.

[Eniqmatic]

Asking which Linux version to use is pretty subjective, everyone has their own favorites. Find one you like and go with that, try them out using live CD's. I personally prefer Suse, as it's what I've always used.

 

I run web server which resides at my house, you do not need server hardware for this. Linux is not resource hungry, especially for this sort of application. If you don't install the GUI for your distro (which I recommend not to do), it saves heaps of resources and can be run on very minimal spec. 

 

Webmin as mentioned above is pretty good, have lots of positive experiences with it. 

 

There are guides everywhere on the internet that you can find for your particular distro with regards to setting up a webserver, mainly do your research and save these guides to refer back to. 

 

Most importantly, watch your security when granting access to folders and files, don't go granting full access to everything because something isn't working. I've seen it in the past and it can be a major headache to set right afterwards. 

 

Also, don't be scared to ask questions! Have fun!

[KTFO|SGTmoody]

ubuntu server works fine.

 

my common way to install a web server on ubuntu is to use this link.

 

https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-install-linux-apache-mysql-php-lamp-stack-on-ubuntu-14-04

 

then go and install phpmyadmin.   just type.  sudo apt-get install phpmyadmin

 

then install webmin  : http://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2013/12/install-webmin-official-repository-ubuntu/

 

ubuntu genraly has all the firewall stuff turned on and you have to turn things off for it to work.

 

 

Apache and linux books:   personlay i dont use any at all.  I go by if i want to know something.  Google it.  its worked so far and I can garantee some of the issues i have had the solution will not be in the idiots guide to web servers.

Good networking books:  This depends on what kind of networking you want to do. and the level you want to do it at.  So could do with some more info on what it is you want to learn for me to recomend a certain book for that.  But it all else fails  GOOGLE

The hard drive will be fine. as long as you are backing up your website to your computer as you make it. it should all be good.

 

Recomendations:     Install SSH when it asks you!   then download putty:  http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html

And SSH to your server.   with all the commands that I have listed above you can copy and paste (right click) in to putty to run the commands...  No typing.  yay

Install FTP service.  install proftpd  (apt-get install proftpd)   and set it up through webmin.  you may have to refresh the modules. unless you install webmin first.

Set a static IP of the pc so you dont have to look it up each time you want to connect:   http://www.howtoforge.com/linux-basics-set-a-static-ip-on-ubuntu

 

If i leaned to build a webserver:    I did this ages ago and can now build one in about 5 mins.  but it was google and persistance that got me through it.  each time i had a problem i just looked it up untill i found the answer.

[Orcblood]

Thanks all for your replys! I should of stated why i'm doing this. I'm building this website to use as a portfolio of all my geeky stuff I've done. I want to be able to go to an interview in 2yrs and say '' I take computer science rather seriously. I got a website that runs on a server i built at home with a bunch of stuff that I've created (games i've programmed, pictures of my computer and server etc...)."  I am only going for an associates degree(it's Computer Programming and Database Development) so this should help with a job. I heard it's not so about schooling as it is experience for computer science. So that is why i'm doing this.

 

@Ssoele 

So yeah, I don't want to rent a host cause i'm doing it for the experience, something extra cool to show/tell, and saving some $. Though maybe not the last one since i'm still spending money on hardware. Also my upload is only around 5mbps. 

[Orcblood]

A couple of friends and I used to have a Debian server running webmin (http://www.webmin.com/), which I'd recommend.

Defiantly will look into that. Thanks!

 

Asking which Linux version to use is pretty subjective, everyone has their own favorites. Find one you like and go with that, try them out using live CD's. I personally prefer Suse, as it's what I've always used.

 

I run web server which resides at my house, you do not need server hardware for this. Linux is not resource hungry, especially for this sort of application. If you don't install the GUI for your distro (which I recommend not to do), it saves heaps of resources and can be run on very minimal spec. 

 

Webmin as mentioned above is pretty good, have lots of positive experiences with it. 

 

There are guides everywhere on the internet that you can find for your particular distro with regards to setting up a webserver, mainly do your research and save these guides to refer back to. 

 

Most importantly, watch your security when granting access to folders and files, don't go granting full access to everything because something isn't working. I've seen it in the past and it can be a major headache to set right afterwards. 

 

Also, don't be scared to ask questions! Have fun!

 

Thanks for the advice man!

[Darren]

If you want to run a webserver, I'd just rent a VPS. $15/yr from Ramnode. No power or internet bill. There's even some coupon codes lying around for them as well. Much easier than running your own from home.

[Ssoele]

@Ssoele 

So yeah, I don't want to rent a host cause i'm doing it for the experience, something extra cool to show/tell, and saving some $. Though maybe not the last one since i'm still spending money on hardware. Also my upload is only around 5mbps. 

 

With only 5 Mbps it will be hard to keep a decent site up. You will also spend a lot more on the hardware then renting a VPS costs for 10+ years. As said above, Ramnode is very cheap.

[Judahnator]

i have run web servers on consumer grade hardware before with no problems.

 

i suggest using ubuntu server, and the best way to learn is through your own experiences. just jump in and have fun

[thepriceyman]

1. How many users will you be expecting on your website

2. What is your bandwidth like?

3. What sort of material will you be hosting?
 

If its juts a sort of text based website with a few picture and html stuff you can just use a Raspberry PI and it will work fine.

You can even install MYSQL and php on it for extra things such as adding a forum like mybb to it.
 

My web server is a really old Pentium 4 HT server -

IBM Xserver 2gb DDR1 ram with 2 Sata drives 160gb 
and that runs a treat!

Even has Windows Server 2012R2 installed!

 

also graphic cards dont matter in the slightest. You could go with a 1990's card for all your server cares!

[Orcblood]

Well I just ordered the motherboard. ramnode looks like a great site with great prices. Though I still just want to build the server for the fun of it and the other stuff even if it will cost me more money in the long run. Who knows, I may just try it out for a bit if i take to long getting my server up and going. Thanks guys for your reply's!