Linux box as webserver

[forster]

I was reading through another thread regarding 'Linux box as a firewall', and came across a link for Smoothwall, a very basic linux install, which is configured by a web-based gui. It got me thinking and wondering if there was something similar but for hosting websites. For example a small install that just sets up apache / sql and all the bits and pieces, then through a 'web based gui' and ftp you could transfer files to the box / add / remove sites and basic administration.

There probably isnt, and yes I know you can install apache / mysql etc on a normal linux install, but wondered if there was anything tailored to these needs.

Thanks.

[+BudMan MVC]

I would suggest another firewall type distro clarkconnect http://www.clarkconnect.com/index.php - you can install their distro in standalone mode, which would then just could be used as a web or ftp server, etc.. It can also be used as web and ftp, ssh, etc.. services when in firewall mode.

I do not remember if MySQL is installed by default - but easy can be added, etc.. Have been playing with it for a couple of months now, and I would recommend it. So far, one of the better firewall/gateway distros I have had time to look at.

There are a few others, mandrake has got one MNF, drawing a blank some of the other names right now - sorry.

edit: here you go, a list of some other firewall/gateway distros - distrowatch seems a bit sluggish? http://www.distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=firewalls

Edited January 14, 2004 by BudMan

[forster]

That looks great Budman (Y)

edit: here you go, a list of some other firewall/gateway distros - distrowatch seems a bit sluggish? http://www.distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=firewalls

Thats great - I noticed the sluggishness last night while looking around distrowatch, doesnt look like it has improved at all. Im going to give ClarkConnect a shot first, I have a nice quiet 'spare room' computer that I can rape and test installs on.

Thanks again m'lad.

Edited January 14, 2004 by forster

[+BudMan MVC]

That looks great Budman (Y)

If you install webmin and phpmyadmin for mysql, you can most likely admin and configure everything without having to touch the commandline. Not my preference - but hey, it is really slick ;) Especially for someone new to linux, etc..

Their fourms seem pretty good - and here is a link to a FAQ type site http://ccfaq.valar.co.uk/ that might come in handy ;)

The distro is very easy to tweak as well, I was running the 2.6 kern on my install for awhile, backed off to 2.4 due to 2.6 breaking some other stuff - and not having time to play with it at the moment. But I would have to give the distro 2 thumbs up :)

And FREE too for home use! The website to check on your box status is pretty slick, can check on status of your machine from anywhere. I am currently running http://www.nagios.org on my install - so besides providing firewall/gateway, web, ssh services - it is also monitoring my whole home lan. I have to say its one slick distro for this type of use. I am curious where they are going with the whole RH split to Fedora, etc.. They have not really stated what branch they will go with in the next release.

[forster]

Class - I ph34r the commandline, but I'm not a noob, I think I'll do fine ;)

[Starman]

I don't know nearly enough about the differences between distros, but if that's all you want to do, why not just go for RedHat or Mandrake or something that's well supported inc ase you have a problem?

Mike

[forster]

Because they are usually an install of a graphical front end, tools, games, and lots of things that I dont need. Plus, there is little help in such an overbloated install when all you need help with are the specifics. A tailored web server install will have more support than a 2gig RH install.

I know you can choose not to install certain aspects, but I really just wanted my first question answering ;)

Plus the HDD I am using is just a few gig, and I need to get a few websites out of it :D

Foz.

[forster]

Got my own little webserver and site running from my little 400mhz box, and I now have the bare bones of a website thrown together. Thanks Budman, I owe you a :beer:

[KenLin]

I haven't looked into it beyond the homepage, but I came across http://www.netule.com, seems to be a web-server specific distribution. Looks like there's and email server one, too.

[+BudMan MVC]

Got my own little webserver and site running from my little 400mhz box, and I now have the bare bones of a website thrown together. Thanks Budman, I owe you a :beer:

Great - glad you found what you were looking for! Yeah those old machines still have life in them!! My current install of CC is running on a dual 400 (curious that they do not provide a smp kernel - but thats easy enough corrected) with 512 - the thing is a mem hog when using it as a firewall/gateway, but this is to improve performance ;)

So you just using it as a standlone server, or as a firewall/gateway as well?

[forster]

Has to be a standalone due to my modem / router setup.

I've also got my little mudserver running on it. Couldnt get Nagios running at all, and Im debating what to do in respect of mysql db creation - Ive got everything installed, but will need to admin it from my XP machine - I'm thinking http://www.mysqlfront.de for this purpose.

My box is only running while I'm at work, not over night - left it on for about 12 hours yesturday, opened her up to replace the HDD and it was really cool (temperature wise) inside the box while I replaced the HDD.

Ive got it sitting in my front room at the moment, its really quiet too, the loudest part of the system is when the HDD spins up !

I really enjoy experimenting with things, and this was the perfect little install to get me started. Another bonus being that you just need the box, no monitor / keyb / mouse unless something goes wrong, but everything so far has been fixable by the web interface.