Okay, so I want to to make a test machine at home, that I can learn more about apache on. I just recently shipped a colo server off to a host, but I would like to learn how to do things on my own a little.

Some questions I have are:

Where can I get Red Hat (since my servers running it) and apache so that I can install it.

If I am using the @home network with a cable router, can I still setup the machine and "connect remotely"?

Thanks, figure it is time for me to learn about my machines, but don't want to mess up a machine in production

Download it from redhat.com, it comes with apache installed depending on the packages you install.

If you can't find a fast connection from redhat.com or one of its mirrors, give this site a try:

http://www.linuxiso.org

Gagsplus: email me and I will point you to a blazing fast ftp server for RH 7.2. or I can send you a free copy of it, disc1 and 2.

Just a thought before you connect it to the @home network (where it seems like hackers are everywhere..)

You can definately connect the server to your broadband router.. depending on the model, just open up the ports you want (like 80 for web, 110 for pop, etc..) and hopefully your broadband router has it where you can use NAT, point the port to an internal IP address (which would be your RH box).
Before you do this though, I would secure your box!! Disable telnet! There are alot of posts on here for step by step instructions so I won't repeat those. Just do a search.

laterz,
raqworld

Now I just have to find a small box that I can do this on. I know it won't be the same essentially as a full server with SCSI drives and other issues, but at least I can become familiar with it.

Good info so far, if anyone else has anymore feel free to post

Along these lines, I'm coming from a Windows environment and trying to learn Red Hat Linux as well. Just installed 7.1, but I haven't the slightest clue how to configure a new box to be a web server from the total picture. Sure, I installed Apache as part of the setup and it works, and sure, there's plenty of books on just Apache, or Linux in general. But is there something out there about building a Linux webserver from a total perspective--security, adminstration, conifugration, etc? Like, should I install GNOME or KDE and when I make config changes, do I change it at the command line, the GUI, or both? Just curious.

I have seen books like that. I think one was called linux webserver. Waste of money. Just play around with it, you will get the hang of it. Also, no windows system is nessesary, acually, for just a webserver, very little is needed.

I heard the Redhat for Dummies book is pretty good.. (if you like those books). I guess it has a good way of explaining things for linux newbies.
You can also find a ton of stuff on the web.
Also check out: http://www.unixguide.net

laterz,
raqworld

RedHat for dummies is a waste of $. I bought it when I was trying to learn Linux, all it taught me was how to install. I could have done that w/o the book. It shows no command line commands, nothing about setting up practical scripts, or progs.
Get a good O'Reilly book, like Linux System Administrator
Cheers
Mike Rice

Hello flyguy1996,

I found this guide Securing and Optimizing Linux : RedHat Edition - A Hands on Guide (http://linuxdoc.org/LDP/solrhe/Securing-Optimizing-Linux-RH-Edition-v1.3/index.html) through LinuxDoc.org (http://www.linuxdoc.org) and there are a lot more...

Hope someone can share some good resources for beginners like me... :D

Choon

Thanks, guys! I'll definitely take a look at your suggestions. I picked up "Red Hat Linux 7.1 Bible" and it seems pretty decent. The nice thing is they include Red Hat 7.1 on 3 CD's, then talk you through it in the book. So you know that what you're learning is actually what you've got.

Regards!!
Fly