Linux Webserver - Apache Configuration Assistance, please!!

I've been chomping at the bit to try my hand at a webserver, nothing big, but something that I can experament with. It won't be a powerhouse, as I will be running it all on a P2 350, and my cable internet's upload is capped at 350 kbps.

I will be using Redhat 8.0 (please no "use so and so distro," or "redhat is not what you want" posts), and I want to set up a webserver that has: MySQL, PHP, and CGI support. I am planing on using Apache 2.0, which is included with Redhat 8.0 (or, that is what the pdf included says). I downloaded it off the internet! I love free software

I will also be running Windows 2000 on a seprate hard drive, so that I can still use the computer in means other than a webserver.

Any help would be apreciated. I have very little experience with Linux, so please be patient with me

 

So what do you need assistance with? Sounds like you have a solid plan for hardware/software to put things in motion...install away!

 

I don't know how to setup and install the server software

I also want to know if there are any other modules I should be installing, for webhosting.

Thanks!

 

Well, I got it all installed, no problem (other than the install took FOREVER)!

My next step is to try and get linux Wi-Fi drivers, heh, that won't be easy. I'm thinking about just buying a bridge/access point, and not waiting for D-Link or other companys to get off their lasy toochies and create Linux 802.11b drivers.

But, that would cost more than buying a PCI card... Grr.

Anyone know of a good Linux supported 802.11b pci card?

 

Supposedly the Linksys wifi cards are supported. But i have yet to get any of them to work (PCI or PCM/CIA)properly at all, i think the prism3 chipsets aren't quite as standardized as they think. So i'm going to pick up a Beldin PCI card this week and see if i can get it to work right. Wanting to build a pair of wifi routers so i can link up my wife mom's house to mine about 600m away via a couple of 'can'tennas)

 

Let me know how it goes. I'm probibly going to end up shelling out the extra for an access point, as I already have an ethernet card in the machine.

Linux is definately a diffrent OS. I'm stumbling around with the configuration stuff, learning as I break things. I realy shouldn't experament in the root account, but oh well

 

But you absolutely HAVE to goof around as root..... there is no better way to hose the whole thing up But that is the best and only real way to learn.... Jump in with both feet... then realize you are in over your head....learn your way out.

Just don't try a rm -r /

 

Heh, I haven't even gotten to the shell commands.

All I'm trying to do right now is figure out all the web stuff, and prepare for when I actualy am able to connect it to the internet.

As for learning my way out, I usualy learned my way into a reload with Windows Hopefuly Linux is more forgiving

 

You should be able to get most wifi cards to work if you follow this guide
I currently have a Lucent Wavelan Orinoco gold card working in my laptop under Debian just fine

 

I wouldn't recommend installing the webserver via RPM's as they give you no control into the configuration although they are easy. If you do decide to compile from source the following links will help

For setting up the webserver the following URL will help

Apache 2 and PHP guide

And as you want MySQL check e-gineer

The instructions section has instructions for installing MySQL

Of course if you really want to set it up well then you'll have to find out what all of the possible configure commands do and decide on your own personal installation.

 

Thanks for the links.

Hey, at least my D-Link ethernet card will work!!

 

/rethinks the Beldin card.... Going with the DLink as well.. Thanks for the link!

Now back to our regularly scheduled thread.
I agree with dolbz, going with a rpm kind of install isn't always the best bet... simplest maybe, but then you are stuck with what 'they' think your config should be which is generally not what we'd want. Besides Apache 2.x seems to run a lot cleaner than the 1.x.x versions. Less RAM consumed and it seems to respond a bit faster.

 

My D-Link DFE-530TX Ethernet card has Linux drivers that are aclaimed to work, I don't know if they do yet, as I will have to either start up 2000 to transfer the files, or burn a CD.

Linux comes with too many fun old games, many of which I recognise from going to the local museum's computer lab. They must have had Linux on some of their computers!

 

Oops.. thought you meant the Dlink Wireless card. I think every distro has support for the 530TX so there will be no need for goofing around to get teh drivers where you need them. They are included as either built in to the kernel or as a module. Plug and Pray detection should see it as a '8139too' and the drivers are solid. Half of my linux boxes run these and the other half Intel Pro 100+S nic's. Sprinkle in a couple 486's with only ISA slots that i use NE2000/compats.

 

Well, it didn't recognise it durring the plug and pray sequence, so I'd guessed that I needed to get the drivers myself. I'll try it again.

Yeah, the Ethernet card has Linux drivers, I don't think the wireless card does. I don't know what I'll do to connect it to the rest of my network. Access point is an option, but I don't know if I'm wiilling to spend the extra $$$...

 

Think of it as an educational investment. Besides, you'll probably get faster upstream from the server over ethernet, not that itt matters much because of the bandwidth cap. I'd still say go for it.

 

Yeah, and if I also get a switch, I could use it for both the linux box and my main rig, leaving me one wireless card to play around with.

I'll have to think about it...

 

Well, I took the plunge, as I saw the access point available for $79 (with $20 rebate)!!!

I struggled to get it to work, and after 2 hours, uttering some strained sentences in Wookie, and a bunch of pain and toil (not to mention the seismic even I call a headache), I got it working on my XP box.

I have yet to tackle getting it to work under Linux, that is a challenge for another day, as I'm currently mad enough

I didn't end up getting a switch, as the store was out of the good 4/5 port ones, and I didn't feel like spending over $50 for a switch.

I might order one tomorrow

Note: I bought a DWL-900AP+, which is generally only happy with D-Link hardware, which I have all D-Link hardware. It wants everything to be in default on ALL devices on the network before you can access the configuration menu, and even then it has to be plugged into the router so you can configure it

It is blazing fast though, I have never had my network connection act so speedy, not even with the computer sitting right next to the router!!!

One question: It has to be connected via a crossover cable to a computer to act as a wireless client, could I use the crossover cable to connect the access point to the switch, and then use regular cables to connect the computers to the switch?

Thanks!

 

That may really depend on a lot of things... wether the AP fills in as a DHCP server, in which case it 'might' work provided the box you want to configure it from is the first on the wire to send a DHCP request. And that the AP doesn't also default into trying to use DHCP for itself on power up. The result could be unpredictable at best and a small nightmare to untangle later.

Your best bet may be just to go through the hassle of crossconnecting into the AP setting up the TCP/IP on it to match your network and then move it to your switch then you should be able to access its configuration screens from there to do your final tweaking... A bit of switching cables around, but it could save the bruising from pounding your head on the desk later.

 

Ohh, I just figured out how it works!

The access point is mearly acting as a point to which the router can assign IP addresses, so I'll just try it, can't hurt anything!