Newbie Server Setup (Full Version)

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bango -> Newbie Server Setup (12/1/2004 11:56:17)

I have experience with IIS 5.1 and am currently setup at home and running my site in test phase effectively. I am looking into options to go live. 1.) Host from home? 2.) Other options? Here is my dillema. I have spent six to nine months on this site and it is working very well. It is a 98% ASP driven site on Access. I do not want the hassles of security etc associated with home hosting however I feel it might be my only choice as I really need to be able to perform constant database maintenance (12 - 18 Access DB's with an eventual migration to SQL) I fear that hosting will not allow me the ease of use to perform such maintenance as I would need to pull out copy and respost each DB each time I want maintenance. My question is this- I am currently on IIS 5.1 Windows XP Pro with FP 2003. I have Windows server 2000 just not loaded onto a server yet. I am thinking I need to buy a server load Windows 2000 and transfer my site to it. Is this recommended and if so are there recommendations to an inexpensive, quality type of server? I am bootsrapping with the hopes of upgrading in 6 to 9 months based on site performance ( Say once I hit X thousand hits / month than upgrade). My site is a Vehicle listing site similar to Cars.com or Autotrader.com so if somewhat successful it will require data transfer through the ASP and thus a fast and efficient server. Are there any forums out there for a first time home Win 2K server user?

Recap.
1. I am currently on IIS 5.1 Windows XP Pro with FP 2003. I have Windows server 2000. I am thinking I need to buy a sever load Windows 2000 and transfer my site to it. Is this recommended and if so are there recommendations to an inexpensive type of server?

2. Are there any forums out there for a first time home Win 2K server user?

3. Sorry, We all need to get started somewhere and the knowledge on this forum is top notch so thank you.

bango



dpf -> RE: Newbie Server Setup (12/1/2004 12:06:44)

I havent a clue(!) but its refreshing to see such a well thoughtout and written question. Welcome to Outfront - Home of Sheep Rustlers Anon.



Giomanach -> RE: Newbie Server Setup (12/1/2004 12:20:19)

Bango

quote:

2. Are there any forums out there for a first time home Win 2K server user?

Whaddaya mean? lol..you just posted on one ;)

There's loads involved to get the server set-up, and will involve more than just DB maintenance to keep it running.

You don't really need to fork out ona server machine, as you can use a high end spec PC for it, all you really need is a Server OS on (windoze server family or a Nix OS)

Let me give you a brief nackground on Win 2k Server:

Minimum Specs (for all but DataCenter Server)

233Mhz Pentium Class processor, or equivilant (just stick with Intel, much more reliable, and look at 2Ghz+)
64MB RAM (128MB recommneded, but use 256 at least, I recommend 512 if not more)
1.0GB free HDD space (makes sure you have at least a 40GB HDD)
4X CD/DVD ROM (as fast as possible neede)

Obvioulsy you need all the right peripherals (mouse, keyboard, monitor). Installing Win 2k Server is very much different from installing a workstation OS. On install you will be asked to setup DNS, Internet Connections, Network Connections and so on and so forth, if you wish, you can skip these at the initial stage, as they can be changed later on.

Before you think about getting the server ont he web, you will need to get used to the Server Processes, the Server programs, the IIS Snap-in, DNS name resolution, and security.

Look at buying the machine first, and getting used to the Server OS before going into the web server set-up.

Let me know what specs you have in mind/have bought, and later on tonight, I will post full instructions on setting up Win 2k server for Web Server locally, and will asisst you with it through here, and then we can get you on the web.

Most hosts will not allow for you to have Shell Access to the server for security reasons.

And there's no need to apologise, we're here to help, it's what we do =)



bango -> RE: Newbie Server Setup (12/1/2004 12:55:30)

Giomanach,

quote:

Whaddaya mean? lol..you just posted on one ;)


Good point - Thanks. I wouldn't trade these forums for anything in the world. It's like a MCSE class for free. I just don't want to be bothersome on the obvious to some but not so obvious to others (myself).

In terms of the server issue. That's a great answer for me to hear (no server machine (necessarily) required) right now. I understand that at some point it will be required however using my home machine would be great right now. In purchasing my home machine last year I tried to get a pretty good one and than upgraded on my own. I currently have a gateway pentium 4 2.8GHz, with 512MB DDR SDRAM, 400MHz, 160GB with I think a 4x writable CD/drive but no DVD. I have all of the peripheals. I am in no hurry to get the server connected to the web. I just would like to do it right the first time. As for getting used to the Server OS, excellent advice and that's exactly what I would like to do. I am just confused (being that I have never used the server software) on how IIS and Frontpage interact and or where they sit on the server (home machine). I am assuming you can think of Windows Server 2000 simply as a replacement for My Current Windows XP Pro in not so many words meaning you only load one OS? on the machine. Etc. Again, I know easy questions for you but lack of exposure for me.

quote:

Let me know what specs you have in mind/have bought, and later on tonight, I will post full instructions on setting up Win 2k server for Web Server locally, and will asisst you with it through here, and then we can get you on the web.


If you could help me with this when you have time (posting instructions) I would greatly appreciate it.

Again thanks for the time and effort for assisting the less knowledgable.

bango



Giomanach -> RE: Newbie Server Setup (12/1/2004 15:10:50)

quote:

I am assuming you can think of Windows Server 2000 simply as a replacement for My Current Windows XP Pro in not so many words meaning you only load one OS?

Looks like we have a fiar bit to discuss before I let you know how to get the server set-up properly

Never use the same machine as a Personal Computer and a web server, it will cause you no end of problems, and you will see a very dramatic drop in both software and hardware performance if you do so. For best results, always have the web server as a separate machine if you plan to go online with it. Having IIS installed on your PC is fine, but only if for testing purposes.

quote:

I currently have a gateway pentium 4 2.8GHz, with 512MB DDR SDRAM, 400MHz, 160GB with I think a 4x writable CD/drive but no DVD.

Plenty of Power, CD-Burner is an optional extra, but is always handy for backing up webs, and creating ghost images of the perfect set-up incase it all goes cuckoo, and I'm pretty sure you'll have a Burner fast than 4x...

quote:

I just would like to do it right the first time.

I'll hold my hands up here - it took me a fair few tries to get it right, but in the end I managed!

What I am going to say is - in the long run, only host the data files, don't bother with email servers, let someone else deal with that for you, it gets messy otherwise (OK OK, I know I have my own servers, but they're Nix OS, and I do run email through them, but it's a damn site easier on Nix than windoze!)

I don't have a Win2k server to hand...but..I can always make one pretty quickly :) and I can help you through here without the need for that.

So, Step 1: Get a machine that will be dedicated to hosting this web site, and this website only, do not use your home PC, and install Win2k Server on the new machine ;)




jaybee -> RE: Newbie Server Setup (12/1/2004 17:39:09)

quote:

Step 1: Get a machine that will be dedicated to hosting this web site, and this website only, do not use your home PC, and install Win2k Server on the new machine


I've got a spare Psion 5. Will that do? [image]http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/_950/wink.gif[/image]



Giomanach -> RE: Newbie Server Setup (12/2/2004 3:44:53)

[>:][sm=devil.gif]



bango -> RE: Newbie Server Setup (12/2/2004 10:13:36)

Thanks Dan,

It looks to me as if the smartest choice would be for me to get a server. Being that the home computer is also needed for personal use I think I might avoid a lot of problems trying to host a site and perform other things on the same machine. I will get back to you once I have received the server. Do you have any suggestions on a lowcost, high quality startup server?

I was thinking about this server
Dell PowerEdge SC1420
High-Speed 2P Server

Would that be a good startup server choice for hosting my database driven site or would you recommend others?

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/sc?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

Thanks
Dave



Giomanach -> RE: Newbie Server Setup (12/2/2004 10:18:41)

That one's fine[;)]

Buy it blank, with mouse, keyboard, (go for the free processor upgrade).




Giomanach -> RE: Newbie Server Setup (12/6/2004 7:30:23)

Dave

Just checking on your progress, how's the learning of Server OS going, or haven't you got that far yet[:D][;)]

Take Care



c_robertson -> Setting up server correctly (12/11/2004 1:16:23)

I'm running fp 2003 on xp and have IIS 5.0 installed.
I have a website built but have a few problems (specifically search) and am told it is because I have a disk based web. I would like to test some things out on a local server. I'm publishing on a windows server with 2002 extensions, pleask control panel w fp panel.

I'm not sure how to go about this and how to set up the server correclty. CAN SOMONE POST A SAMPLE SERVER SETUP? Do I paste my current sites into the webroot's path or what?
Can someone give me a blow by blow on how to set it up?
Should I open the site from the server location then publish to the internet server or open from "my webs" and then publish?



caz -> RE: Setting up server correctly (12/12/2004 19:20:24)

Chris

Please refrain from posting the same question twice, especially on another thread, it will not help you in getting your post answered[;)]

Cheers



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