MWGemini 0 #1 October 23, 2004 I have a spare system lying around, running Mandrake 9.2. I originally installed it just to play around with linux, but never had the time. So now I've decided to try setting up my own web server. I own a domain and it would only be really small, more as a learning experience than anything else. My question is- what software will I need to install to do host that, connect to DNS servers, and possibly even run an e-mail server? I know Apache is an oft used system, but beyond that, I know very little or nothing. I should also put in the disclaimer that I am very inexperienced with linux, so I'm not asking for a comprehensive how to guide, although links to good ones would definitely help, but rather, what programs are required for an undertaking such as this. Suggestions from people who have experience in this are what I'm looking for. Thanks, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #2 October 23, 2004 guesing you would need to startout with a static ip adress.... you could atleast do ftp of that...... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #3 October 23, 2004 That's not an issue. I've already run FTP servers off this box, I have a pretty fast cable line, but bandwidth isn't a concern for me. My provider doesn't have a limit, and the pipe doesn't need to be big, as I won't be hosting a lot of large files, nor will traffic be much (if at all). It's mainly just to get experience doing it. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #4 October 23, 2004 It's not hard to do. I'm not a linux guy but I used to run apache on a windows server. Setup took a while but once it was going, it was going. If you have a static ip address, it's very easy. Go to your domain registrar's website and you just set your dns settings there. Just put in your ip address where they ask for it, and within a few hours or so, hits to your domain will be sent to your server. Apache is free....play around. No need to even set the domain stuff up right away either... Once the server is running, you should be able to connect straight through the ip address. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #5 October 23, 2004 So Apache for the web pages, but what about running an email server? Thanks, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #6 October 23, 2004 sorry, I just told you everything i know. Tried running a mail server but never got it to work... You should be able to find a free email server easily....then just read the directions. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #7 October 23, 2004 It's not so much finding one that I'm worried about. With open source software, there are numerous options. I'm hoping to get a response from someone who has tried a few and/or set up a few and can suggest a noob friendly package . I'll keep looking though, thanks for your help. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cvfd1399 0 #8 October 23, 2004 So only having apache will do the trick, or do you use apache on something like windows server 2000, or 2003? Those programs are high as a camels ass. 2000 is listed at $1700 and 2003 at $3800. I just got a domain name and running off brinkester.com that has 500mb storage, and 7gig bandwith. I am looking at running it off my home computer just to do it for fun to say I have a home server. What do I need? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #9 October 23, 2004 Nuttin but apache (or any other http server). Apache is great but not very easy to set up. I started with a program called Omnicron httpd, which was windows based (apache has no gui...runs in a command prompt window...although i'm sure guis are available). But when I wanted to add php functionality to my site, apache was the way to go. PHP and MySQL database server are free to add. Can really get fancy then. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #10 October 23, 2004 Linux is free, and there are numerous different distributions out there. I've had my linux box running for about 6 months straight without a reboot, running FTP and teamspeak servers constantly. FAR more reliable than ANY Windows OS I've ever used. In my opinion, linux is far superior in many ways to Windows. Apache is a linux based program that if I am not mistaken, is the backbone for most of the internet (in terms of servers) and has been licensed by IBM and other companies for their server software. I'm unsure if it can do SMTP/email hosting however, still trying to figure that out. The biggest problem with linux is that there is so much information out there, it is hard (for me at least) to find the information I'm looking for. Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #11 October 23, 2004 I got my XP machine to run for 100 days straight between reboots...and actually used it that whole time for everyday use/games. Course the mouse stopped working on day 98. But I wasn't gonna let that make me restart. But yeah, there's a windows version of apache. Works just like the linux version. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iota 0 #12 October 23, 2004 Web Server - Apache + Mod SSL(SSL if you want encrypted Pages. Email Server - Exim is best, most difficult to setup, Sendmail is 'okay', easiest to setup. DNS Server - Bind, but you probably won't be running it--let your domain registrar do it for you. Although it makes it easier, a static IP is not required. Check out http://www.dyndns.org for information on dynamic DNS. You can setup your domain name to CNAME or redirct to your dynamic dns entry. As for the guides, there's plenty. Do a search on 'How-to' + for more details.----- 2+2=5 For Large Values Of 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #13 October 23, 2004 Can you elaborate on some of the pros/cons of Exim vs Sendmail? I'm only planning on having one or two e-mail addresses, and all I'll need to do is be able to send and receive. I don't care about secure pages, encryption, PGP, etc (yet). Thanks, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #14 October 23, 2004 Lets put it this way.. Sendmail is pretty easy to install and configure, but screw it up and you are running a full mail relay server. That will get you kicked off your ISP faster then you can ask what happened. @home, Roadrunner, and most the Cable networks are really fast to kick people that have a mail server misconfigured since they are now serving as spam bots. I've helped get probally 50 users off those ISP's and that just since they were more annoying then any others to me and the mail team at work. Read up and know what you are doing before you do it. Nothing makes me madder in terms of PC's then stumbling across a PC on the net that some wanna be techie installed all these apps on that they don't know anything about then sets their PC up to be hacked and turned against the rest of the net. Read all about mail and understand how SMTP works and the security holes in it and how to avoid them before doing it.Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iota 0 #15 October 23, 2004 Exim is more robust in the way it scales and how it handles upon thousands of users and mailer plugins. For what you want, sendmail is the way to go. PhreeZone has a point about the configuration; however, newer installs default to only accepting connections from localhost so you're somewhat safe after you start it for the first time. Before you do anything, I would familiarize yourself with compiling software on your box and understanding what modules you need and don't need. Putting a linux/unix/windows box on the net and not knowing what services it's running, why they're running, and how to properly secure them is somewhat dangerous. Forget spamming for a moment, if you're exploited, you could be use as a part of distributed denial of service attacks which will get you kicked off your network. Don't take the above as a reason not to do it, just think and plan before you actually plug in to the net with it up and running.----- 2+2=5 For Large Values Of 2 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MWGemini 0 #16 October 23, 2004 Iota and Phreezone, great points, something I had not thought of recently. Due to my local setup, I'm running a router, which will help to make things more secure (as it only allows data through on the ports I specifically open and forward to specific machines), but will that be enough? Also- this is only applicable to the mail server, correct? In other words, can I safely run a web server (Apache) without having to worry that misconfiguring it will leave my box open to being taken over? If a hacker gets into my system and totally destroys it all, thats something I can deal with, though I'd obviously like to avoid that. But having my hardware used maliciously is something I cannot allow. Thanks, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adamjenner 0 #17 October 23, 2004 i use to run my own server off a friends old scuzzy system. until of course he left....with the scuzzy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pilotdave 0 #18 October 23, 2004 You're pretty safe running apache. Start reading the online documentation... might wanna start with security tips: http://httpd.apache.org/docs-2.0/misc/security_tips.html. Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
