Webhosting w/ Linux

ivybat · Jun 29, 2007, 05:08 PM

Hi everyone, I think this is my first post on the forum! Well, I read a lot =P

So, I know there's lots of types of Linux, and different ways to personalize it, etc., and though I'm a Linux-noob that's not what I'm worried about.

I have an old Compaq Presario 6000. Really sh*tty. And my mom has a domain name that we want to host a site on. It'll probably get 2-3 hits a month, so I don't need to be able to handle a lot, and I want to have my own webspace from home anyway just in case I need to download my homework or something.

Now, I don't have XP Professional and I don't plan on buying it, so Linux sounded like a great alternative for this little computer. Can you guys recommend an app/tell me where I should go to get started on putting up webspace?

Thanks a lot

***temeteus82*** · Jun 29, 2007, 05:17 PM

Hi there and Welcome to DH!

Every Linux version haves apache web server pack with them and it's the best and free web server for Linux in my books. So you could download any linux distro you like and install it and select it to install apache too. Configuring the domain name and some other DNS stuff might be harder for you if you don't know anything about linux and network protocols. First you need static IP from your ISP and then you must setup the domain and DNS servers so that the server uses the domain that you have.

So what I recommend you to do is study now networking works in Linux and read apaches manuals, FAQ's and how-to pages.

ivybat · Jun 29, 2007, 08:40 PM

Awesome, thanks a lot

EcPercy · Jun 30, 2007, 02:21 PM

You should get your hands on Ubuntu. There is a server version without a GUI and during the install you are asked what services you want. The only drawback is that the server version has no GUI.

Anyway, I am pretty sure that any flavor of linux/bsd unix would work as a webserver for you.

The other route. Paid hosting. I use 1and1. They are super cheap for the low end package and you can just point your domain at their name servers. I pay $3.99 a month.

H3X4D3C1M4L · Jul 4, 2007, 02:09 PM

You could use OpenBSD/FreeBSD/NetBSD then install Apache from /usr/ports (provided you correctly pull down ports from CVS).

You'd be surprised how well that machine would handle with BSD installed.