Preconfigured Linux/Apache Web Server

I am interested in buying an inexpensive Intel or AMD based computer
that has everything installed so that I can load some websites onto it,
plug it into my home network, configure my router, and then be live on
the web. To keep the cost low, a Linux/Apache setup seems to be the
best. I have done this with WinXP Pro, but that only let's me host one
web site, and I'd like to have many. In addition, I'd love to learn
how to manage a Linux/Apache web server box, but from the top down. By
that I mean, I'd want to start with one that works, and deal with
issues as they come up vs. building it from the ground up, which can be
a COMPLETELY frustrating task. Why reinvent the wheel?

If no one is offering preconfigured boxes ready to go with
Linux/Apache, my question is this. Why not? My next question is this.
Is there someone here with real talent that wants to take a shot at
being the next Michael Dell? Just kidding, but it doesn't seem like a
bad idea, but I am always interested in hearing what people who
actually know something about the subject have to say. Thaniks.

BrianEWilliams wrote:
> I am interested in buying an inexpensive Intel or AMD based computer
> that has everything installed so that I can load some websites onto it,
> plug it into my home network, configure my router, and then be live on
> the web. To keep the cost low, a Linux/Apache setup seems to be the
> best. I have done this with WinXP Pro, but that only let's me host one
> web site, and I'd like to have many.

Does XP only allow you to run one web server?? Are you sure?
Here is one suggestion. (Stop IIS - if IIS is the webserver running on
port 80)
Install Apache to run on port 80 as a reverse proxy.
Configure that service with multiple virtual hosts (corresponding to
your other web servers)
Create your other web servers instances (running on different ports)
Have the reverse proxy redirect requests it receives to the appropriate
web servers.
.... and you have what you want.

In addition, I'd love to learn
> how to manage a Linux/Apache web server box, but from the top down. By
> that I mean, I'd want to start with one that works, and deal with
> issues as they come up vs. building it from the ground up, which can be
> a COMPLETELY frustrating task. Why reinvent the wheel?
>
> If no one is offering preconfigured boxes ready to go with
> Linux/Apache, my question is this. Why not?

If you don't feel like installing Linux and Apache yourself, I am sure
there are companies which offer this sort of service...You need to do a
bit of googling. The combination of Linux and Apache is a good one
though (better than Windows / Apache IMO) because you can configure both
the OS and Apache for your particular hardware configuration.

--
Give a woman an inch and she'll park a car in it.

On 30 Dec 2005 06:00:01 -0800, "BrianEWilliams"
<sorry_no_email@yahoo.com> wrote:

>I am interested in buying an inexpensive Intel or AMD based computer
>that has everything installed so that I can load some websites onto it,
>plug it into my home network, configure my router, and then be live on
>the web. To keep the cost low, a Linux/Apache setup seems to be the
>best.

While I cannot recommend any particular company/brand myself, do some
web searches for "Internet Applicance" as I have seen a number of them
advertised in the trade publications. Some are cubes, some are
desktop/side and others are rack mount. I run my production web
servers on Shuttle XPC's which are cube shaped, ultra quiet and take
extremely little space.

Please post what you ultimately find and decide upon. We're all
interested.

Good luck,

B

Bob_M wrote:
> On 30 Dec 2005 06:00:01 -0800, "BrianEWilliams"
> <sorry_no_email@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>>I am interested in buying an inexpensive Intel or AMD based computer
>>that has everything installed so that I can load some websites onto it,
>>plug it into my home network, configure my router, and then be live on
>>the web. To keep the cost low, a Linux/Apache setup seems to be the
>>best.

Knock together a basic machine (you don't need anything flash), install
a Linux distro (Mandriva is easy) and select Apache during install. Most
Linux distros have Apache included as standard. As for setting up and
configuring, there's plenty of help and groups on the web.

I did just this 18 months ago with bits I had in the loft. A 350MHz
machine running Mandrake 10.1 with Apache 2. It's hosting 3 sites and
has been for 18 months without a hitch. It probably cost me less than £10.

Andy J.