Okay, I'll try this again, and be quicker about it this time. I hate timeouts/connection refused messages!!!

I have a secondary box (h/w config to follow) that I want to set up as a file server AND a web development server. I would like to run a database as well, to help with web app development. I don't really care about a GUI on the server, but I would like to access the essential functions (start/stop/move files/etc.) from a browser.

I want to run SAMBA for the file server, since this is a mixed-breed network and I know Win2k and Linux will both talk to Samba.

I'm planning on running Apache for a web server, basically because it's free and I know people who will help me out with it if I'm in a big bind. Plus, it will allow me to integrate Tomcat into the mix so I can serve up JSPs and hopefully some other server-side functionality.

I am planning on doing the actually coding/development on my primary box - a dual-boot Win2k/RH8/??? system. It will be getting another OS/distro, soon.

My basic question is for opinions -

is it a good idea to do this all on one box? Why or why not?

is this too much for a relative n00b to take on? I have experience in programming, but nothing in setting up and administering web-servers/app-servers/dbs.

I have a tertiary box available, which I plan to use for learning FreeBSD. What, if any of this, should I put on that box? I don't have the specs on that box right now, and I'm not going to experience another timeout (and lose all of this again) to get them. Just assume it will run.

h/w specs for secondary PC:
MPU = PII-350MHz
mobo = Microstar MS6119 v.2.1
RAM = 128MB
BIOS = AMIBIOS (Award Modular) v.4.51PG
video card = Diamond Stealth 86C326
NIC = D-Link DFE-538 TX
hda = Western Digital WD 102 AA (10GB)
hdb = IBM DHEA-38451 (8GB)
CDROM = Lite-on LTN-301

running a PS/2 mouse and keyboard along with a Relisys 995 monitor.

My only concern in this scenario would
be tomcat :} and JSP ... The cpu isn't exactly
a sprinter, and java is a hog, of both RAM and
CPU... :}

As for the too much: I guess it depends on how
much time you want to invest in learning.

Cheers,
Tink

Okay Tink,
Do you have a suggestion for a better way to go than Tomcat? Eventually, my boss wants me to learn C# and .NET, which I have a feeling aren't going to be a whole lot friendlier to my hardware than JSPs.

Also, do you have any suggestions about partitioning? Both hd's are on IDE primary, and I'd like to use about the same amount of space for /home as I do for whatever mountpoint I use for web hosting/development.

PHP. A few months ago I set up a web server (apache + tomcat + mysql), and like you was a total linux noob. Basically apache is a snap, mysql is a snap, tomcat is a huge stinking pain in the arse. If you don't HAVE to use tomcat I would suggest using PHP instead, the set up is a lot simpler and development / deployment is easier IMO. Can't comment on samba though (i just use scp)...