What would I need to make a File Server / Web Server?
 

Here is what I want to do. I have an old p2 450Mhz, 128meg ram, 8 gig (adding a couple more) hard drive computer I got for free with my Laptop. I got 3 or 4 questions.

1. I want to make it into a server where people can download off it. And browse it to view forums and so forth.

2. I have red hat 9. Im going to install a basic X server so I can make my site, in HTML or whatever, (I don't know that language yet) but I don't know what servers I need to install to make what I want possible? Anyone with Red Hat knoledge could you tell me what I should install. (NOTE: I won't have X server running when I run the Web Server)

3. What do I need to know to make this possible? I know I need some HTML skills, but what else. And if you know a very good online place that teaches HTML could you give me the link? (Im not going to buy anything, so don't worry about books.)

4. How do I get passed my router? I tried making dedicated servers a few times, but it seems that my Linksys Wireless G router is blocking it. How would I get passed it?

Thanx in advance!

1. this is not a question.

2. apache. not affected by it being redhat in the slightest. personally i wouldn't use it with X, if it's a dedicated server tehn edit your documents via nfs share to your normal work station.

3. erm.. nothing really.. a default apache install will be fine to serve html pages. to add a forum like vBulletin (what LQ is based on) then you'd need a db backend, most likely mysql. everything will most likely

4. check your router config. it will be able to enable NAT and port forwarding somewhere in it's interface.

1. Eheh, guess this wasn't a question. :)

2. What exaclty is mysql, I have a book on it, but its for advance users, I don't konw what a db backend is. Can you explain a little bit more in detail?

3. Ok apache it is. Will this also allow me to upload files to it, so ppl can download from it? Sry, just asking every question I can think of.

4. How do I check my router config?

2. it's an sql database... the place where the posts get stored and read from. http://mysql.org

3. apache can do uploads if you configure it correctly, something i've not done before. personally though i'd say just use an ftp server as well (like vsftpd or proftpd) to upload files.

4. how would i know? you bought the thing. you had a manual with it i take it...

Ok. Sry. I won't ask you questions anymore.

I can't find my manual. I wen't to Linksys but they didn't have it. Whats in my manual that I need anyways? Someone help?

most cheap off-the-shelf home routers have an http front end of some sort, to allow you to sort out the details of how it works. this is naturally nothing to do with linux whatsoever. There's probably a downloadable PDF on linksys.com if you lost the manual.

Which router? Try using:
http://192.168.1.1

Your default login is a blank username (I think) and the password "admin" (I think). It's a been a while, but I think those were the defaults on both of my last 2 Linksys routers. The default router IP for a Netgear is 192.168.0.1

But, as Acid is hinting, this is completely configurable in your router. You may have changed all of the above, some of it, or have never even seen the router web interface. Depending on the version of the firmware you have on whatever router you've got, the terminology may differ. But if you have a tab called "Gaming and Applications" (or something close to that) that is your port forwarding tab. Forward port 80 to the local IP (private) that your server will run from.

Good luck.

Cool

O kick ass. Thanx master C.

Ok. What exactly do I do when im in the router config?

You need to enable port forwarding, and open that external port if needed. Quite why we're telling you how to use a piece hardware you bought yourself (or your parents) i'm not sure... download the manual from linksys website and read it.

Which router? We can link you to the manual if you are having problems locating it (although Linksys's website is very easy to use IMHO to find the manuals).

Cool

WRT56G, or a Linksys Wireless G router. Thanx!

Matey, if you can't figure out how to work your router then you'll struggle setting up a web server.

I ran a web + shoutcast server on a Gentoo box before and it's no challenge but you need to be able to troubleshoot yourself. Once you setup Apache, you'll probably want to install mod_php and/or mod_python or mod_ruby or something and MySQL to get going. Read the manuals, Apache and PHP and MySQL have excellent manuals, Python isn't all that bad either. Have you setup Apache yet? Can you view pages over the network by typing the servers local IP into a browser?