Long story short.

I would like to learn how to "manually" administer / manage a Linux Web Server.

I am considering purchasing an old / used VA Linux 1220 1U Server from ebay for $249.
- It comes with a hard drive but not OS.

Here's another box... but I'm not sure if it will run Linux
- Dell PowerEdge 2650 Xeon Dual 3.06GHz 4GB 4X 73GB RAID

My idea (tell me if I way off track) is to connect the server to my home network and "learn to manage the server". ie: install CentOS, install PHP, install MySql, mail services, create users, install other applications, etc. etc. etc.

I know basic shell commands.

Any and all advice is appreciated.

Hi and welcome to LQ.

Most of the tasks you listed can be learned and performed using virtual machines. You just need to have enough RAM on your main computer. Having said that, if that's just for educational purposes, you don't need GUI so 512MB of RAM devoted from you machine should be more than enough.

Have a look at VirtualBox
https://www.virtualbox.org/

That way you can learn most of the stuff without spending a dollar.

Just to learn some things I wouldn't consider to buy extra hardware. Especially not outdated (VA Linux 1220) or outdated and very power-hungry (Dell PowerEdge 2650) hardware.
My tip: Either use a virtual machine for that purpose or, if you want something that is independent from your main machine, go for for a machine with Intel's Atom or AMD's E/E2-series. This will save you a lot of money when you plan to run the machines 24/7 (as servers usually do), will give you a better (in case of the VA machine) or at least similar performance (Dell) and will be much quieter.
Not to forget that you can use modern hardware like SATA-harddisks, PCIe expansion cards and so on.

Thanks. I would like to learn without the GUI.

I want to manage a Linux Server without the need of cPanel / WHM / Helm / Plesk / etc.

I want to manage the server the old fashion way - via SSH and VI.

Eventually... I want to lease a server from a company like Softlayer or one of their competitors and remotely manage the server.

I don't mind if the company preloads CentOS... I just want to learn how to do it - before I hire them (lease their server) to handle the hardware.

That's part of the reason I want to learn with the GUI. There's no (windows or kde type of) GUI when you shell into the system.

And sorry I forgot. I am primarily interested in CentOS.

Yeah, virtual machines seem good for your purposes. You can even create a few of them to simulate a small network.

I tried to update my message - but the website said I didn't have the rights to do it. --- strange....

slight typo here:

That's part of the reason I want to learn with the GUI.

suppose to be

That's part of the reason I want to learn withOUT the GUI.

Are you saying... get something like a Netbook ? They use the Intel Atom processor... and I've seen several Linux Netbooks.

Or is this something else you are referring to.

I gathered that's what you meant

That's weird. You should be able to edit your own posts. Perhaps, it's not allowed for members below 100 posts.

ahhhh. I've seen one of these recently. cool.

Acer Aspire Revo R3700 Nettop... about $272 US... not bad.

It looks like the DVD is extra (needed to to load the OS).

So with this little thing...
- I wouldn't need Virtual Box
- it connects direct to a kb + monitor + mouse
- I could also access the box to do installs remotely... basically like a headless server

Will it run CentOS though... and I assume a linux install would overwrite the current Linux OS unless you could dual boot it.

What's the OS... is it Mint ?

More something like sycamorex suggested. I run a small home-server for 12 clients with an Intel D945GCLF2 mainboard, which comes with an Atom 330 (dual-core with hyperthreading) CPU. I placed it in a mini-ITX case, so it is rather small, added 1GB RAM and a 2TB harddisk and that's it. A CD-ROM was not needed, Linux is perfectly capable to be installed from USB or network.
Runs 24/7 for more than two years now with SSH, rsync, Apache and a FTP server, most of the time idling with about 60MB of RAM in use (running Debian, should be similar with CentOS). Total cost of that machine at the time was about 220€, IIRC.

it looks like the OS is Linpus.

hhmm..... there it is again. I just logged in... tried to post a reply.

Came up with this message
"0.You do not have permission to perform this action. Please refresh the page and login before trying again."

Will try again...

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Had to log back in to post...



Thanks a lot guys. One of these little Acer's is likely to be headed my way very soon.

Much Appreciated !

If you are not active for more than 15 minutes the forum will end your session. Check the "Remember me" option when logging in and this shouldn't happen.

I would suggest getting a server such as this one. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...1003010http://. It says supports OS like REDHat Linux and some others but it is just a no OS server so you can put whatever you want. Then I would do a google search for LAMP or "The Perfect Setup Ubuntu ..." or whichever distro you choose.

Go through a couple of these, install different flavors and different applications. The best way to learn is to do it over and over again.