How do I set up a web server?

Fellow Geeks,
I just bought 4 old servers from a company that just updated, and I'd like to set up a web server to run my own website.I compose and record original music and would like promote my music online.
I have two Compaq Proliant 2500 servers and two Dell Power Edge 2300 servers. Both run NT 4.0. The Compaq has two Pentium Pro 200Mhz CPUs and can handle up to four. I've read that the CPUs can be upgraded (unlike most motherboards) It has 160mb RAM and 2 5 GB hard drives.Theres room for 4 hdds and the RAM can be expanded as well.
I haven't gotten into the Dells yet to see their specs.
Can anyone refer me to a website or book that'll teach me how to set these up online as web servers. These units were originally LAN data servers and I'm assuming they can be used as web servers as well. Actually, one looks like it did act as a webserver based on its set up and the files I found on it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
DCO

 

go to google and search for "how to setup a web server"

i found alot of sites with small guides, books and even videos.

linux may well be a good OS as it has free variants and many free programs for webservers like Apache witch is the most popular i think, also it does have alot of free tutorials online.

 

I did a blog entry about this a while ago
http://www.goldfishsbowl.co.uk/index.php?p=61

I've not got round to the second part yet (life is hectic) but it goes over some basic stuff, mostly about setting up the machine to act as a web server.

Personally, I'd go with Windows 2003 Server Web Edition (we've discussed this here before), since its a lot cheaper than the full bang and will do what you want, and won't take you hours on end to set up if you don't know linux too well.

If you want to get adventurous, you could try a cluster setup. Windows 2003 server has the capacity to do this, and so do some distro's of linux. Notably, ClusterKnoppix is a bootable CD distro of Linux that will let you do this using a main machine with cluster management to run the rest.

Since you've got the hardware, I'd seriously recommend using one as a web server and one as a database server. that will allow you to tighten security up a lot.

 

VOID, Thank you for the tip.

 

Goldfish,
Thanks for the advice. I'll check out the links. So you think I should replace NT 4.0 with 2003 Server -Web Edition. I assume it probably has more security features, being newer. Since money is tight right now (and I have NT on it already), do you think NT is at least good enough, or would it be a major improvment buying 2003 Server?

You mentioned a cluster setup. Does that mean using a mian server, then my other 3 servers networked behind it - or something like that. I'll research it.
You also mentioned using one machine as the webserver and another one as a data server - for security sake. I guess the webserver would act as a firewall for the data server. When it comes to security, I'll need to do alot of research. These hacker creeps have gotten pretty smart and its a constant battle trying to stay ahead of them. I guess a simple router won't be enough to protect a webserver?
Thanks for your help.
DCO

 

Well, a router is a good starting point. You will want a portblocker on the server itself of some kind (a firewall). Make sure you set it up correctly to allow incoming connections to IIS and the like.

In regards to OS. If you've already got NT, you CAN use that. But IIS will be really out of date, and it has come on leaps and bounds in terms of security and performance since then. I would try to get at least Windows 2kPro if you can.

Clusters - You would have one main server (in this system we'll call it the Server (confusing, eh? ), and on the same network other servers (clients).
The physicality of it is pretty simple, just connect all the machines together using a hub/switch. Doesn't need to be separated from the main network, but for ease its probably a good idea.

Your Server would have the permenant OS loaded on it, and would contain all the data you're intending to serve on HDD. Each of the clients would be running a seperated cut down OS (such as a ClusterKnoppix Live CD) and the Server would connect to each of them and delegate work.

 

Download apache for windows don't use iss. http://www.apache.org/

 

Hmm, yes, if you're not planning on using ASP at all thats probably a good idea

 

I have a apache web server running on nt 4 for internal stuff at a company i work for. Its great and very flexible. If you just doing minor hosting and not mission critical stuff you should be fine running nt 4. As far as asp, I personally try to avoid it and use php.

Edit
Found this basp for apache install by simply googling
http://www.apache-asp.org/install.html

 

but you WANT to program in ASP.NET right.. ? RIGHT?

 

I use PHP most of the time myself, since its flexible and nice to code compared to the (rather sloppy) VBScript based ASP coding. However if you're looking to learn ASP, Apache wouldn't be much good

I've not had the chance to try ASP.NET yet, nor had the occasion to. I might have a go

 

Found this basp for apache install by simply googling
http://www.apache-asp.org/install.html
Give me a few days to try it out and report back.

 

Do try it. It's very slick.

 

Link to: Simple Serving - Serve Files to Family and Friends over the Internet.

 

Goldfish,
Thanks again for the tips.I do have Win2000. I guess its Pro. But I'll see if I can raise the $ for 2003 Server, because of the reasons you've pointed out.
Also, please let me know if you ever finish part 2 of your tutorial. Its guy like your self that make the internet a great place. When guys take the time to crontribute information the the net, it keeps building and building and becomes a great resource where people can learn about anything. Its too bad the hacker creeps exsist, who try to destroy it all. I personally think these virus writers should get life in prison. The internet has become so valuable to our society, that someone who tries to destroy it ( and a killer virus that speads out of control does exactly that, especially considering that theres hundreds of these idiots out there doing it)...then they are destroying a valuable tool of society. No less harmful then a terrorist.
Its just a shame that I have to spend hard earned money on a new OS because of the needed security features.
Sorry...don't get me started on these virus writers/hackers.
But anyway, thanks again for your help.
DCO

 

Colemanguy,
So Apache isn't the actual OS, but a seperate program running on the OS, in my case NT (unless I upgrade to 2003)? Would installing Apache add the features that 2003 has (or close), thus allowing me to save some $ and keep NT?
For example, I have Win98 still on one of my PCs, and I have an FTP server installed (allowing me and a friend to upload/download large wav files directly). The OS isn't doing the serving, but an installed program.Would this be similar to using NT as the OS, and using Apache as the server?
Thanks in advance for your help.
DCO

 

yes, apache is an installable application for web serving. You most certainly can install it on WinNT 4.0.

 

Kodo,
ASP? I aplogize for being a total novice here...I probably should have studied a little on my own , then posted some simple questions instaed of needing ALL the info. I'm actually a desktop tech and I build/repair systems, but I confess that networking and especially servers, are Greek to me. Its one area I need to study more.
Getting back to the subject, I don't know what ASP is, but I'll look it up. Is it a seperate program that needs installing, or a configuration, protocol, or hardware device?
Thanks for your input.
DCO

 

Cat5e
Great link...thanks,
DCO

 

ASP= Active Server Pages (aka classic ASP or ASP3)
ASP.NET =Active Server Pages .NET (next generation of asp)

ASP3 is supported natively under IIS5 and above (win2k and up).

ASP.NET is natively supported by IIS6 with win2003 server and above and installable with the .NET framework for IIS5.

see the following for more information
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=17921

 

Thanks my man People like you are exactly the reason I like to contribute Its a bit of a shame that not all of the information on the net is useful, but there we are, such as life.

I will finish part 2, I did say I'd get it done about 2 weeks ago, but unfortunatley I've been snowed under by work, never had the chance to compile it, but now I've got a bit more research to back me up

I'll definatly make a noise when it is done, though you can count on that.

Anyway, 2kpro is probably fine for your purposes, you can make 2k pro run just as slick as 2003, it just takes a bit more effort. Security features of IIS6 are better than IIS5, but with the lockdown tool you would be fine with IIS5. .NET stuff is much better on 2003, though, I can vouch for that.