Question on servers

[.Joe.]

Alright say you have a normal computer, it has about lets say 80gigs, is a pentium 4, runs on windows XP, and all that other stuff would you be able to turn that into a server?

[Matsta]

Yea u could but you need big bandwidth. It would be cheaper to rent one

[.Joe.]

Yes, say I have all that ... how exactly would I turn a computer into the server?

[FreakySpace]

You would not want to use windows XP for a server. There are to many reasons to list why. Why not download a Linux distro? it comes with a web server installer and its free. Try Fedora 4, good server software. If you have questions on getting started let me know.

FS

[bryceton]

try searching google theres a few sites on this(actually I believe theres an old topic about this on freewebspace)
however a few things to consider

1-You would need to keep your computer running 24/7
2-some ISP dont allow this
3-What would happen if server goes down when your out
4-speed


By the time you take this all into consideration its just cheaper to buy a dedicated than try to run your own.

[.Joe.]

What happens if I shut my computer off? and then turn it back on? Will the hosting resume?

[Matsta]

Should do depemding on your software. Ive got mac os x and my apache server turns on but i have to turn on my php and mysql servers everytime i turn on my laptop! U get it...

[.Joe.]

Do you think 80GIGS of harddrive is enough for a server? or is more required?

[Matsta]

that is good, but do you have any other things on your computer???

[.Joe.]

What do you mean?

[Matsta]

Lik any other apps, games etc. You can just wipe it if u wanna install linux

[.Joe.]

I have a few, should I delete them?

[FreakySpace]

While you are waiting patiently for Linux to download, I highly suggest reading on www.linux.org for info on a server install. It really should not be difficult. You will also need to read up on apache. I believe apache comes in Fedora but cant remember. Been awhile since ive built my own server. You should also look at finding an open source control panel if you plan to use the server for hosting. I know there is some good ones out there, I suggest looking on google.

I encourage you to be patient, It is not an instant thing setting up a web server, however whatever the reason you are setting it up for, It is always a feeling of acomplishment once it is completed. Also you will learn alot by doing it.

Hope this helped, again remember patience is important.

Here are a few links you may find helpfull.

www.apache.org <--the actual web server software.
www.php.net <-- should be included in apache.
www.apachefriends.org/en/index.html

Good Luck!

If you wish to run a webserver with windows try reading here, alot of good info

www.apachefriends.org/en/index.html

FS

[.Joe.]

Thanks guys, right now I'm downloading Fedora. but there's many discs do I download them all?

[Bruce]

Yes...

No disrespect to you, but if you don't know how to find your "PC specs" (from the thread in the computer forum), how on earth do you plan on managing a *nix server?