I have been a software engineer for about 7 years and working on the web just as long. I am very familiar with UNIX on a user level but lack some admin knowledge.
I have been on a virtual host for about 2 years now, and I am looking to offer my services (Fantasy Football Manager) next year to the public. So now I am starting my research. I have decided pricewise to go with a Celeron 550 with 512MB RAM. Now, I have some questions, about what I should know before I sign the dotted line.


Since I am a UNIX guy will Linux suffice, they offer Plesk Server Admin free with it?
Should the host offer the directory structure pre setup so that I have a public html and secure area, or is that my job?
They say that "Redhat 6.2 Pro with Plesk Server Admin installs and sets up Apache to support SSL (BenSSL), SSI, PHP3, and CGI. Also, included within the installation are MySQL, Q-Mail, proFTPD, DNS/BIND, and FrontPage Server Extensions". Does this mean it is ready to go, or I need to do it using the Admin tool?
How difficult is it top set up PHP4 with Zend Optimizer?
Does RatHat 6,2 Pro have a C compiler?
Is crontab available?
What E-Commerce solutions tend to be included, what should I look for?

Howdy,

don't know *all* the answers but will answer the easy ones ;)


Should the host offer the directory structure pre setup so that I have a public html and secure area, or is that my job?
I think that is your job. With a dedicated server you control everything i.e. you are god on your machine ;)


Does RatHat 6,2 Pro have a C compiler?

yup


Is crontab available?

yup

David

Then how much server secutiry do I need to know? Is this trivial or should I start reading up now? If so, what should I read?

Catalog.com seems to be a great company :)

As for your questions, yes, you should start reading up on security and general admin issues. I have RedHat Linux Unleashed and I found it to be an excellent read. It covers almost everything you will need to know about basic admin tasks.

Plesk will not let you admin everything. Only certain things like DNS records, user accounts, email accounts, etc..... If you want to know everything it does go to plesk.com and try the demo out.

And ditto to what Diyoha said.

Since I am a UNIX guy will Linux suffice, they offer Plesk Server Admin free with it?

Yes, Linux is fine. It is an OS that is largely compatible with Unix and has the advantage of perhaps milions of people contributing to it. You should learn some commands despite any server interface.

Should the host offer the directory structure pre setup so that I have a public html and secure area, or is that my job?
The host turns over a server ready to go (except for security - see below), wiuth the directory structurte set and all included programs installed and configured. It may be a "basic vanilla" installation, but it will work. That's what you are paying for.

They say that "Redhat 6.2 Pro with Plesk Server Admin installs and sets up Apache to support SSL (BenSSL), SSI, PHP3, and CGI. Also, included within the installation are MySQL, Q-Mail, proFTPD, DNS/BIND, and FrontPage Server Extensions". Does this mean it is ready to go, or I need to do it using the Admin tool?

It should be ready to go. Check the host for any specific information.

What E-Commerce solutions tend to be included, what should I look for?

Varies with the host. Some include shopping carts, some don't. You might choose a different one than they use.

Aside from basic setup (done by the host), and administration (partly handled by server interfaces, the rest by you at the command level), you'll want to familiarize yourself with various aspects of security. Sever security is solely your responsibility.
I have information on mys ite about it and will be adding more soon (maybe this week-end). I also have information about server management for beginners and you might find some of it helpful.