Running a web server

[griff7887]

I know this is going to sound like a really noobish post:

I've been trying to set up a server(web, file, and mail) and can't get anywhere. I'm using XP for other reasons so I can't go to linux. It's just I try and use MySQL and Apache and I can't find guides on how to do it. There is no way I could learn it anytime soon, i don't have all the time in the world. If someone could help me out or send me to a link. Even just how to host a PHPbb2 forum? I have the computer to host it know i need to actually do it.

[rightcoast]

Here's the build your own server guide:
http://www.pcmech.com/byos/

And some good pages on MySQL and Apache:

http://www.sitepoint.com/article/installing-apache-tutorial
http://www.freewebmasterhelp.com/tutorials/phpmysql

Watch the apache captures here, they are good too:
http://www.andrewkendall.com/pages/learning/tutorials/cgi/apachewin/index.php

Ohh yeah, and here is an awesome site for tutorials in general. This page has more tutorials than anyone could ever need :)
http://www.techtutorials.com/

[griff7887]

do you think a 333mhz celeron with 64mb of ram has any use in the server world?

[rightcoast]

Not really griff, it might work, but only if your site gets next to zero traffic. That computer isn't good for much but word processing. It won't even really run XP well either.

[griff7887]

alright thanks, i have it as a spare and wanted to know if it would do anything. I'll be running my server off of my p3 500mhz with 400+ram for a while. hopefully I'll get my 3200+ or dual 1.5xeons soon.

[ZeratulsAvenger]

Well what do you consider to be traffic? I mean the 500MHz will do just fine if it is serving files and and/or hosting an FTP/Website... Just as long as you don't have multiple hits at the same time(many of the smaller time websites don't anyways) you wouldn't have to much of a lag time, since I would imagine your biggest limiting factor would be the connection to the internet it will be hosted on, not just the computer. And are you sure you can't use Linux? It could be less resource demanding if nothing else, and possibly a way around whatever it is holding you back from using it.

Remember to check with your ISP to make sure that running a server isn't against anything youhave signed, or else they could cut your connection. Also make note of your connection speed(uploads primarily), as people will only be able to recieve the webpage as fast as you can upload it.

[griff7887]

Well I really want the easiest way. I am young and really don't have the time to learn yet again another type of "programming." I guess I could use linux on the 500mhz. It was because I want to run a counterstrike source server on there and i dont think they have a linux server yet.

[EDB]

Thanks for these great links, I needed them! :D