Hey all...

Thanks for reading this. Where to start... I'm trying to learn more about linux and webhosting stuff so I can at least do things myself when needed. Here's the question(s).

I have built a small little computer hooked up to my DSL and am hosting a personal website off of it, but it's hard to figure out how to make everything work just right and I can't even figure out how to get mailboxes setup. I have installed RH 7.2 with everything on it and a friend helped set up Apache, MySQL, etc... but if I need something changed then I have to wait for him to come online, and I don't want to do that.

What I want to know (finally, I know... ;) ) is what would be the best way to go for a beginner trying to just host a couple of my websites, have some security on the server, be able to create/delete mailboxes and have multiple domain names, and stuff like that. Something that a webhost offers, but which I could use to setup apache, mysql and stuff.

I am going to most likely be deleting the server and starting from scratch and installing Red Hat 7.2 and then whatever else I decide to go with. I just need direction and to a good way to get started in hosting my sites and "maybe" someday host some other people's websites.

Thanks for any ideas.

Hello,

I'm kind of confused of what you want.

If you want to learn how to setup a web server, you need to learn a few things. e.g Linux, Apache...

Here's a good link..

http://webcompare.internet.com/webbasics/

Good luck!

Originally posted by cpals


What I want to know (finally, I know... ;) ) is what would be the best way to go for a beginner trying to just host a couple of my websites, have some security on the server, be able to create/delete mailboxes and have multiple domain names, and stuff like that. Something that a webhost offers, but which I could use to setup apache, mysql and stuff.

something not all hosts offer to their customers, and far too few hosts know how to use themselves, but is far and away the best tool there is for maintaining a webserver is....

A command line prompt.

I am going to most likely be deleting the server and starting from scratch and installing Red Hat 7.2 and then whatever else I decide to go with. I just need direction and to a good way to get started in hosting my sites and "maybe" someday host some other people's websites.

I highly recommend that you do just that, start from scratch, install/uninstall everything you need and don't need, get used to compiling things from source, read logs till you can't see straight, and learn your server inside out before you start putting other (paying customer's) websites at risk.

Thanks for any ideas.

Originally posted by DynastyHost
Hello,

I'm kind of confused of what you want.

If you want to learn how to setup a web server, you need to learn a few things. e.g Linux, Apache...

Here's a good link..

http://webcompare.internet.com/webbasics/

Good luck!

Yeah, it was kind of like that. What I'm looking for is a suite of programs or something that might make it easier to configure everything for a beginner instead of having to go into the actual coding to create a domain pointer and stuff.

I have my server running right now and it's just a pain to try and figure how everything works together. And don't worry, I'm not going to start webhosting... it's mainly for my own domains and if any friends want to host their stuff.

Thanks.

I'm not gonna worry if you're gonna start web hosting :)

Basically there is no way around it. You must know the language to speak to the server :)

What you're asking is a "translator" .. they are not always acurate... I hope I've made a good analogy :)

A friend suggested Ensim for something what I'm looking for. Is that a good choice?

If you're looking for a contorl panel to use, the popular choices are: Cpanel, Ensim, Plesk...

But if your'e looking for a free one, a good one is Webmin

Originally posted by DynastyHost
If you're looking for a contorl panel to use, the popular choices are: Cpanel, Ensim, Plesk...

But if your'e looking for a free one, a good one is Webmin

I use Webmin right now. I found it a little difficult to use, especially setting certain things up. And it had stuff listed that my server didn't even have on it so that confused me too..

The first thing you should do is learn about linux as an OS, apart from using it for webhosting. Install RH 7.3 (or 7.2) or whatever, and install everything w/ it. Spend a little time playing w/ KDE and/or GNOME. Gain confidence.

Then go to the library, and get a bunch of linux books. Tear through them; obtain a clue. Learn the basic shell commands, etc. Don't focus on individuals apps, so much as learning the command line.

Finally, take a look at the different apps that come w/ your OS, and explore the alternatives. Dig a little to look at qmail, exim, postfix as well as sendmail, for instance. See which ones your brain fits around.

Finally, take a look at the different control panels. See what software they use. Figure out how those apps run. See the features they offer, and figure out how they implement them. Then you can fix it when your control panel chokes.

Just one man's opinion,
Jake

I agree with most people here, setup a few things yourself. Setup named, apache, setup Linux to your taste :D

The only way to learn in these situations is to do the things yourself, although I started the same way you did - Had a friend helping me out with a few things, but in the end I learnt best from doing things myself.

Look at http://www.dslwebserver.com :)