UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Hi!

I'm planning to start to set up a Webserver. All software has to be freeware.

I'm also planning to use Free BSD/UNIX for this project.
Apache as Webserversystem and so on...

Therefor I would like to have some info about what kind of hardware I need.

I'm planning to buy a computer P III or faster for this purpose. What is needable for thewebserver? (It is not going to be "alot" of trafic)
Graphic, space, memory, motherboard ?

yours faithfully,

Kargooliw

Check the information from http://www.freebsd.org/platforms/i386.html#hw is it match what you need?

p120 serves me very small apache webserver without troubles :-) usr avgs: 1.02, uptime ~60 days,
pentium120,120 gb wd ata100 harddrive, 128mbram, sis video, and 2 3com nics (its important to have good nic!)

The biggest resource hog in my experience is MySQL or any other database program. If you're just serving html and php then 1.x ghz is a fast enough processor. DBase queries can produce a lot of overhead in which case you'd do best to use two or more cpu's and at the very least, a gig of RAM. But that's just my experience, your mileage may vary.

-Seg

edit: optimally it is best to run your DBase on a seperate server.

Okey, Thx alot for your answers!

First I have some questions concerning hachics experiences...

Why is "2 3com nics" so important? (I have 10mbit connection, is a 10/100 Mbit NIC enough?
And why is "sis video" important for a Webbserver?

SEG says: that the motherboard should have two place's for CPU:s? - Do I need two 1.x Ghz:rs? Or can I use one fast CPU and one slower? Advantages / Disadvantages?

I'd like to get a server with great performance at a low price. Therefor I'd like to know which parts of the computer that is most relevant. So that I can spend the money on etc, a faster CPU and so on.

What about FAN etc?

As I understand UNIX/LINUX are the best/cheapest OP:s for puting up a stable Webbserver. (?)



"The only difference between man and boys is the price of their toys"

/Kargooliw

Im not saying that your motherboard will have two or more slots for CPUs, just that there are multiprocessor boards in existance and it might be an option.

kargooliw, if you install two NICs, even with a huge pipe to the net, you will be able to setup full duplex; meaning one card for incoming traffic, and one for outgoing. This will greatly reduce the bottleneck between your cpu and the world. Even if you're not going to experience a lot of hits or traffic on your site, NICs are cheap enough to justify the rewards.
As for one cpu vs. multiple, a team of horses pulling a wagon is going to be more efficient then one monster breed steroided out. I have a multi-processor server, running P-II 400s. A few of those (which you can almost dig out of someone's trash) will out perform any single processor 1.x or 2.x GHz machine. The initial expense if higher, as you are talking about server hardware, instead of a modified desktop, but check e-bay, ubid, overstock, etc. They have surprising deals on Compaq servers! I will still be using my P-II server long after others have upgraded their single processor box. I don't know why you would want a custom video card on a web server, seems kind of silly to me. A cheapie would work, as your really don't want to run anything over 256 colors anyway, it is directly proportional to needless resource, and budget usage.
If you are just doing user authentication, you will defiantly want to go with a full duplex connection, and a min of a gig of ram. Drive space isn't too critical, but make sure it's mirrored, and you do backups! If you are doing databaseing or similar drive dependency work, then HW RAID-5 is an exceptional solution. It's expensive but once again you can pick up a controller card aligned with the price range you are targeting, drives are also a little expensive, but from an operational and disaster recovery standpoint, if you can flip the bill, well worth the cost-trust me.