Setting up my own server

**Dillinger4** · Jul 18th, 2003, 12:20 AM

Im interested in setting up my own server but i really don't have a clue as to what might be needed. I have a domain name but that's about it. Im assuming that i can run Apache off my computer instead of having to go out and purchase a server. Am i right? What can Apache serve up besides web pages? I mean does it come with SMTP so i can serve up email? Also how can i close off outside people from accessing my site for the time being. I was thinking about running a packet filter on the server side to only accept packets comming from my ip address since the server will be running off another ip address. Any suggestions? Thanks.

**Lightning** · Jul 18th, 2003, 12:56 AM

There are 2 major options, first install Linux with appache server and all that OR install w2k server with IIS.
The first option is the most powerfull the second is the easiest.

**mendhak** · Jul 18th, 2003, 02:23 AM

Originally posted by Dilenger4
Im interested in setting up my own server but i really don't have a clue as to what might be needed. I have a domain name but that's about it. Im assuming that i can run Apache off my computer instead of having to go out and purchase a server. Am i right? What can Apache serve up besides web pages? I mean does it come with SMTP so i can serve up email? Also how can i close off outside people from accessing my site for the time being. I was thinking about running a packet filter on the server side to only accept packets comming from my ip address since the server will be running off another ip address. Any suggestions? Thanks.

You can do this if you've got a static IP address (got cable?), and if you have DSL, in which your IP address keeps changing, there are some sites which enable you to run the website. Someone here will give you the URL to one of those sites...

Apache can't do your SMTP work, you'll need to download some other SMTP server tool for that. Apache can server your HTML, PHP and CGI pages as well. (You'll need to download and install the appropriate modules for that).

If you don't want people accessing your pages just yet, you could simply set up a firewall and block all HTTP requests to your PC.

Your other option is IIS: It can server PHP, ASP, HTML pages, and also comes with an SMTP feature.

HTH

**wrack** · Jul 18th, 2003, 08:00 AM

I would say W2K Server and IIS is the easiest option. I am running IIS and since I have never used APACHE I am not sure of it's features.

Also I know nothing about linux so can't help u there too.

**parksie** · Jul 18th, 2003, 08:13 AM

If you're using IIS be *paranoid* about security. IIS has a shocking security record.

**plenderj** · Jul 18th, 2003, 08:25 AM

If you want to do e-mail, I would suggest Microsoft Exchange Server. Of course that's going to cost a bit, but that's what I would use.

Exchange 2000/2003 are setup for use with SMTP email accounts by default, so you would contact your ISP and ask them to update the MX records for your domain name to send mail straight to your server.
Alternatively of course you could use POP3 to check for mail yourself...

**Dillinger4** · Jul 18th, 2003, 10:40 PM

So how many of you run Apache or Win2k with IIS off your personal computer? Right now i am running PII 400 Mhz 320MB SDRAM with a generic IDE drive so would running this as a server really be ok. Initially im going to be the only one accessing the server because i need somthing so i can try out servlets, rmi and other stuff but later on i would like to host my site and my friends adult site. Maybe i should just purchase a low level server right from the start. Any suggestions?

**wrack** · Jul 19th, 2003, 09:36 AM

I am running XP Pro and IIS with 800 MHz P III and 384 MB RAM.

Works fine.

**parksie** · Jul 19th, 2003, 10:03 AM

Apache on my 1.54ghz box doesn't tax it, nor on my 500mhz (both have oodles of RAM though).

**mendhak** · Jul 19th, 2003, 12:39 PM

Win XP, running IIS 5 and Apache w/PHP on both.

AMD Athlon XP 1.4 Mhz, 256 MB RAM.

But I doubt that the configuration of a computer really has a large part in determining server performance in your case.

It'll do just fine.

**wrack** · Jul 19th, 2003, 08:19 PM

Originally posted by mendhak
Win XP, running IIS 5 and Apache w/PHP on both.

AMD Athlon XP 1.4 Mhz, 256 MB RAM.

But I doubt that the configuration of a computer really has a large part in determining server performance in your case.

It'll do just fine.

Got enough RAM. It's just the processor which could be slow.

**mendhak** · Jul 20th, 2003, 04:07 AM

Originally posted by wrack
Got enough RAM. It's just the processor which could be slow.

My desktop PC is a P2-333Mhz, 160 MB RAM, with a 10+6GB Hard drive. I'm running PHP on Apache there as well, and it makes my laptop look like a little *****.

Satisfied?

**wrack** · Jul 20th, 2003, 04:09 AM

Originally posted by mendhak
Satisfied?

Ofcourse...

**Admiral Michael** · Jul 21st, 2003, 09:20 AM

My webserver runs Windows XP Pro SP1 with Key Focus Webserver, PHP, PERL, SQL, Serv-U FTP, NAV 2003, and Argosoft Mail Server Pro.

-- 3x - 3GB Hard Drives (1 drive for Windows, 1GB partition for installed apps and 1GB partition for each site I host (Me plus 2 friends) along with a backup site
-- 96MB Ram (it will also have 128MB ram or more when I upgrade)
-- 200MHz (have a new 266MHz board that I havent switched to yet

I also have DSL.

**wrack** · Jul 21st, 2003, 07:41 PM

It looks like you are only runnng webserver on that pc.

**Admiral Michael** · Jul 22nd, 2003, 06:29 AM

Yep, thats all its used for.

**wrack** · Jul 22nd, 2003, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by Admiral Michael
Yep, thats all its used for.

I was just wondering about security. How do u keep port 80 stealth while running the web server. I can't make mine working if I make it stealth.

Cheers.

**Admiral Michael** · Jul 22nd, 2003, 09:16 AM

I have a router and forward port 80 to ip address 192.168.1.105 which is my webserver. You would just need to make sure there are no security venerabilities on you webserver comp. Look for his security scanner called Shields Up! its html based and works good for identifying scurity issues.

**parksie** · Jul 22nd, 2003, 02:16 PM

That's not a security scanner. It's just a portscanner.

Use nmap if you want a good portscanner, and nessus is a fantastic security checker.

**wrack** · Jul 22nd, 2003, 06:48 PM

Originally posted by parksie
That's not a security scanner. It's just a portscanner.

Use nmap if you want a good portscanner, and nessus is a fantastic security checker.

Thanks. But none of them actually tells me how to make it stealth or more secure.

Cheers.

**parksie** · Jul 23rd, 2003, 03:37 AM

Nessus will. For port-blocking just use your favourite packet filter.

**wrack** · Jul 23rd, 2003, 05:36 AM

I am not really sure about which one to use and since I have never done it before I don't want to screw it up. Which one do u suggest.

**parksie** · Jul 23rd, 2003, 06:08 AM

Depends what sort of system you're using.

**wrack** · Jul 23rd, 2003, 08:38 AM

I use IIS and XP Pro. I have norton internet security installed. Cable connection. Non static IP address.

Most of my pages will be HTML, ASP, ASPX.

Cheers.

**Admiral Michael** · Jul 31st, 2003, 10:53 PM

What should I use as a security scanner? What about packet filtering?

**wrack** · Aug 1st, 2003, 08:33 AM

You mean something to scan ur PC and tell u how secure is it...??? Norton personal firewall is a good one.

Go for Norton Internet Security or check this..

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/d...d=ie&venid=sym

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