Server processor and OS?

[tedthebear]

I just wondered, what OS do people use for their personal web hosting servers? And why do servers use Xeons instead of Pentium 4s? Just curious. Thanks.

[azscary]

All servers do not use Xeon's. The last two servers I built used dual P3 1Gz processors in an Iwill dual proc board. I personally have experience with Win 2K Server. Very easy to use and supports multiple users, multiple domains, PDC and BDC structures, Active Directory and is VERY secure. It is also very tailorable to your needs when it comes to domain structure, security permissions etc.

I guess what you use would depend on your needs.

[HAL9000]

You can use pretty much anything for a server so long as it meets the needs of the enviroment. I currently run a web/FTP server with a PIII 800 running Linux.

[melloman]

For most apps, a p-3 is quite enough. when the apps start getting more intense (Terminal server eats RAM) the loads on internal cache get more intense. Xeons can have up to a couple of megs of cache, rather than kilobytes. Exchange servers need a lot of cache on the chip to do their job. That's the main reason to go with Xeons, and dual P-3 boards. A P-4 will just do the same routines in faster repetition, but it actually has a smaller cache, running faster.