I hope this is the appropriate place to ask this.
Please move this post if it is in the wrong place.


I have never built any type of servers and I don’t plan to build one in the future. I would like to know more about them and how to put one together so that I am more familiar with how that all works.

Does anyone have any recommendations on what websites to visit or any books that can get to help understand servers better?

Links for both windows and Unix boxes and basics! Thank you.

It is basically like building a normal computer.. I am assuming that your are looking into building a U server (1-4U case) which is slightly different.. but not the much.. Personally I took a class to my A+ certification where I actually a PC from the box up.. It is really a simple process if you have half a brain.. I would suggest starting with either A+ for dummies or any other A+ learning book.. I would also suggest buying a cheap old 486 for 25 bucks some where and ripping it down and rebuilding it again.. This way you really have nothing to loose. Good luck

I know how to build a computer, but I've never run it as a server. Is isn't there special software or anything... I have bunches of books on A+ certs, so I guess I'll crack down and read them.

Thanks!

Windows 2000 server and Linux are good places to start ;)

go get a MCSE book that comes with a 120 day trial version of win 2k server

I also suggest a linux for dummies book...something basic


spend some time on both, pick the one you like best and learn it

go to cheapbytes.com they offer some Linux books and also a cheap CDs with various Linux versions as well as BSD type OSes.

As I understand you are going to build UNiX server.. UNiX is different than windwos (<-- I hate win :angry: ).
The most popular UNiX is Linux, but there are also a lot of other clones, one of them is FreeBSD. I'd recomend you to start off from FreeBSD, because as I think it is the best OS for server (I think everyone who used FreeBSD as a server will agree with me). Linux is good on home computer because it has more features with GUI.
If you don't know how to build server you can contact me so I can help you.

Originally posted by Miha
As I understand you are going to build UNiX server.. UNiX is different than windwos (<-- I hate win :angry: ).
The most popular UNiX is Linux, but there are also a lot of other clones, one of them is FreeBSD. I'd recomend you to start off from FreeBSD, because as I think it is the best OS for server (I think everyone who used FreeBSD as a server will agree with me). Linux is good on home computer because it has more features with GUI.
If you don't know how to build server you can contact me so I can help you.


..... :eek: uhhhh, Linux <> Unix, and Linux <> Unix Clone. Unix and linux are both seperate entities and seperate operating systems. FreeBSD is a flavor or variant of Unix, whereas redhat is a flavor or variant of Linux, not a "clone". If you're looking to learn how to use *nix, first you've gotta pick if you want to start with straight unix or linux, linux is probably going to be a little quicker to learn, then start with a newbie variant like redhat, and move your way up to something a little more flexible like Slackware, same thing goes with unix variants, except they involve more headaches moving from one variant to another (i find at least) and many of the "important" unix variants aren't free (like caldara's openunix, etc.)

you just said that Linux and Unix are different :) Unix is a type of system. Linux, FreeBSD, SunOS, BeOS ---> they ALL are Unix :) that's why I said that Linux and FreeBSD are some kind of unix clones. (have you seen PURE Unix?)

Originally posted by Miha
you just said that Linux and Unix are different :) Unix is a type of system. Linux, FreeBSD, SunOS, BeOS ---> they ALL are Unix :) that's why I said that Linux and FreeBSD are some kind of unix clones. (have you seen PURE Unix?)

Linux is not considered a unix clone, neither is FBSD. FBSD is a "flavor" or variant of Unix, Linux is considered a entirely different operating system. Linux and UNIX aren't as well related as you might think. And No, i don't think theres an exact definition of "pure" unix, because theres so many variants, you can get an undiluted type, something nasty, i should think openunix is pretty close (you don't get much more useless, worthless, expensive, or nasty then that, give it a try).

Just to clarify: FreeBSD and Linux are both "unix-like", in that they both lack the required syscalls to be classified as "unix".

Sarah, i'd have a look at the many different distributions of linux and choose which one you think will be best suited for you and your needs, or if you're confident enough, try FreeBSD. As for building servers, it's the basically the same as building a normal PC, but you want to choose a motherboard with as much onboard as possible, keep a closer eye on things like heat consumption and you may want to spend that extra dollar on reliable hardware or it may bite you in the bum later.

- ksb

Now if I remember correctly... There was a very good thread here about what Unix is... It's not really an operating system in itself. Rather, it's just a copyright of Open Group not an actual software. Unix OS's like freebsd are the many that basically follow a specification created by Open Group. I'm not completely sure about the details of Unix but it's something like that.

That means that umm... clones aren't really possible to have... maybe Linux could be considered a clone in some odd way.

We run both linux redhat and windows servers. We perfer linux redhat as a OS of choice for servers. Windows 2000 is great if you are running windows type of apps, but for ease of maintance and mods linux is the way to go. Any one company running linux and windows will find themselves spending more time on the windows machine then any other machine just doing maintance.

Thanks.,

Brian F

It is quite pedantic to say that LINUX is not UNIX. Few people would find the differences relevant.

Jim