Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Dedicated Server : need some advice please

[ykikamoocowsbutt]

Well Gday everybody.
OK. I live in Melbourne, Australia and I just bought a server, it is a Compaq ProLiant ML370 G3 Dual Xeon Server. Now my plan is that I want to run a internet gaming server on it, also a few web sites for the family and a teamspeak server. Now the server has 2*3.06 gig processors, 4 gig of ram and 170 gig of hard drive(3* 36gig and 1*76 gig).

Now my server came with no operating software, so my main question is what would be a good operating software to run this sort of stuff or am I just kidding myself? Willing to spend upto $500 for the software.

Thanks Guys
Lance

[IPv6]

what kind of gameserver are we talking about here..

[omega36]

You could go for a free flavour of Linux? Or are you more Windows-orientated?

[ykikamoocowsbutt]

Well as for the game server. I play Americias Army and want to run a 24 player server. With the operating systems I don't know anything about lynix. Is it tough to use and also can you have a email client on the server? What is the differances between lynix or a windows base operating system?

Thanks for the quick reply guys
Lance

[NodePlex]

If you are going to try and keep up with the server yourself and you don't know much abount Linux, go with Windows. However, if your budget allows I would recommend outsourcung your server management. If you go that route, Linux may be a good option for your setup. Either way, security on your server will be VERY important.

[ykikamoocowsbutt]

OK. Yes I would like to be able to look after my server myself as it is sitting next to me.

With the security side of things,do you mean like a anti virus or is there a diff thing that I should be useing?

This is my first attemp at running a server so it's all hit and miss for me.

Thanks
Lance

[omega36]

General security, like firewalls, shutting down unnecessary services, the list goes on.

Are you not going to colocate this box at a datacentre? What kind of bandwidth do you have available at home?

I see AmericasArmy also has dedicated server software for Linux, so the choice is yours. Personally, I'd go with CentOS 5.

[omega36]

And I presume you mean 'right next to me' as in at home, correct me if I'm wrong!

Here's the link to set the server up for Linux:

http://manual.americasarmy.com/index.php/Linux_Server

[ykikamoocowsbutt]

Cool. I might try the linux software to run the server for a bit as it is free why not give it a go.
my internet plan is adsl2 upto 20mbs with a 60 gig download limit. I did a speed test the other day and it told me that my line speed was 7800 kbs and my download speed was .99 mbs.

[omega36]

Goodluck with the server - make sure you aren't violating ISP TOS by hosting game servers!

[ykikamoocowsbutt]

ok just did a line test
upload test 1 mb in 11.84 sec.
kbps:708.93.. KB/s 88.62... Mbps:0.71

download test with optusnet mirror
data 15mb test time 17.94 sec
line speed 6.99Mbps(6987 kbps)
download speed 873KB/s (0.85 MB/s)

And should I just ring optus and ask about the TOS?
thanks heaps for the advice.

Will get back to you guys in a few days and will let you know how I went or didn't go.

Thanks
Lance

[omega36]

Had a look at their terms and it doesn't seem to be in violation of any of them, so host away!

[ykikamoocowsbutt]

Man you are a champ. Thanks so much for all of your help. I am downloading the CentOS 5 OS that you recommended as we speak. And that is a linux based OS? Also do my line speeds look ok for hosting a game server?

[omega36]

Yes it is. To be honest I have no idea what kind of bandwidth Americas Army uses, maybe try have a couple friends join and see how things go. Don't expect miracles, I'd say most reliable gameservers are run off proper networks as apposed to dsl at home, I could be wrong..

[ykikamoocowsbutt]

OK I downloaded the CentOS 5. but when i went to install it it told me that the system disk is invalid and that the system is configered to windows2003 server. can i just format the drives with my pc then try to install the linux os? I had a burnt copy of server2003 but it told me that there were no hard drives but is a ****** copy anyway( had a lot of read errors when copied). I think that i need to put in the 3rd party raid drivers which i will look into..

Any more suggestions would be great.
thanks for all your help
lance