How can I make a home server?

[Nevalite]

Hey,

I have an extra computer lying around and I was thinking about turning it into a web server that I can host websites and other things on. It's a P3 with 512mb of ram, the HD will be upgraded.

What I was wondering was if I should simply install windows xp on it and install an apache server like in the tutorial or if I should install a server OS on it like windows server 2003?

If I'm running an apache server can I host websites? Could I install an apache server on a server OS or does it all come in the OS?

Whats better for me, Apache or a server OS? Or both?

Thanks

[smokie mcpott]

apache will not run without an OS installed, so noone could say whether apache is better than a server os.

you can install xp on it if you are lazy and do not want to learn how to configure a commandline based server. honestly, you should go for debian, arch, or bsd flavor, but those will rely on you to learn some basics of linux/unix/bsd

apache will require an OS, beit xp, 2k, 2k3, linux, bsd, etc. are you willing to learn some things or would you prefer to just use something you know like xp?

if you go the xp route, i would like to offer a suggestion for xampp (http://www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html) to run your php, apache, mysql .. an all in one type configuration.. very easy to use

one piece of software i used to prefer over apache when i ran my webserver on a windows box is Abyss Web Server (http://www.aprelium.com/abyssws/).
lovely piece of software and used less resources than apache.

for the last couple of years, i have been running all my websites on nix boxes only and i would highly suggest you try it and see if its something you would enjoy. to me, setting up a windows machine to run a webserver is TOO easy, you just point and click and you're done...then what? i like tweaking the configs to achieve what i want out of my nix boxes.

[Nevalite]

If I install windows server 2003 do I need to install apache or does all that stuff come in the OS? (mysql, php etc.)

[Nevalite]

I think I'll install Windows server 2003 and install xampp on it to get me started.

Once I get that working I might try a more advanced approach.

[=ACID RAIN=]

That will work prefect :)

[MRD]

I'd install Linux or BSD, Windows makes a lousy webserver, but for a non-critical system it's usable. Definitely go Apache, it's the industry standard.

Also, you will need a static IP or you will have to use a dynamic DNS. i.e. If people are to reach your webserver from the outside world, they must know your ip. You can accomplish this by registering a domain name and connecting it to a given ip, then forward the correct ports through your firewall to the webserver. If you have DHCP, you can register a name through dynDNS, and run the service on your computer (Linux does this, not sure on Windows, it's probably possible). Then when the computer gets a new IP, it tells the dynDNS servers where it is, so that they can correctly direct network traffic to it.

For security, I'd segregate the webserver from other parts of your network using an IPCOP style firewall. Also, NEVER use a webserver that the outside world can connect to as a file server (print server probably doesn't matter though...) unless you want to share those files with the world.