need input... and a DNS service

[IBhacknU]

What to do? what to do!

For the past year, I've been using BN3.com for host and mail services. I used them for about a dozen websites. While there was minimal storage was provided, the service was FREE (with no banner ads). GUESS WHAT? No more free lunch. Time to change.

I'm thinking of setting up my own box with Apache (web server), FTP, and a mail server. This would be placed at work on a T1.

Traffic for these various sites is practically non-existent, so uptime is not my main concern. This is more a project to teach myself how to do this sort of thing.

Here are my questions:

1) a web server, FTP server, and a mail server can all happily co-exist on the same machine (different port assignments). True or not true.
2) platform: linux or windows? (yea, I know the answer, but linux requires me to learn a new platform in much more detail)
3) what about DNS? How can I go about getting DNS for these various domain names? Is there anyone that offers free DNS?

Thanks!

If anyone can set me up with DNS, I'll return the favor with some free hosting!

btw... don't tell me "let Paulson host it"

 

[IBhacknU]

wrong forum?

 

[Valhalla1]

hey, same boat here man! :|

bn3.com is a badass service.. but.. I thougt they were just stopping the free hosting service? won't email/dns still be available?

if not, I'm screwed big time!

 

[IBhacknU]

Hey Valhalla1... you made me think. Maybe the re-direct/email WILL still be available. Maybe I read the email wrong.

gonna look for it right now!

 

[Russ]

1. Yes, you can host all of those on the same server.

2. Well, I'm learning Linux, but, it's an uphill battle, so if time is of the essence, you probably should stay in the Windows family.

3. Free DNS service here.

Russ, NCNE

 

[IBhacknU]

Thanks Russ...

as always, U da MAN

p.s. a few more CPUs joining the herd this Friday

 

[Valhalla1]

I don't recall getting an email from them. there was just a red highlighted message when I login that as of 1/1 the web hosting will no longer be offered. I can't login to my email right now for some reason, when I can, I'll paste in here what I know

 

[IBhacknU]

thanks!

 

[Valhalla1]

Effective 1/4/2001, BN3 will stop its support of web hosting service to its users. This affect web hosting service ONLY. Users are encouraged to find an alternate web hosting service provider for their needs

 

[IBhacknU]

good deal.... as long as they re-direct and provide email, I'm GOLDEN (actually Diamond, but you get the picture).

Thanks Valhalla1

 

[Valhalla1]

np.. if you find anything out contradictory to that let me know! I'll need to transfer my domains to another host immediately!

 

[pac1085]

Cant you run your own DNS server on Windows 2000 Server/Advanced/DataCenter server?

 

[Valhalla1]

think so.

but I know you can w/ NT 4, with 3rd part software called BIND. actually BIND is what you use on *nix too.

 

[Rakkis]

1. Yes you can have servers for different protocols runnign on the same machine.

2. You can go either way. If you're not expecting to get much traffic, staying with windows is good enough

3. Try dhs.org

 

[BoberFett]

Software.com has a freeware NT port of BIND. If you use NT Server, IIS has an HTTP and FTP server built in. Simple to setup, and unless you're getting hundreds of thousands of hits per day, NT is more than stable enough.

NT Server does have its own DNS software, but I didn't like the interface. I found it much easier to setup the zone files and run BIND. It's worth it to pick up the OReilly & Associates book "DNS and Bind" by Albitz and Liu. Great reading material. Well, it is if you're a geek anyway.

 

[purplehayes]

Question 1) Russ already answered correctly
Question 2) Linux - It's not nearly as hard as some people make it sound. I've set up Apache, FTP and mail all from my Linux box at home.
Question 3) centralinfo.net can hook you up with free DNS. I use it for my home server because I have a dynamic IP.

PM me if you need any more help.

Oh, did I mention the cost?

Linux = $0
Apache =$0
WUFTP = $0
sendmail=$0
=============
Total Cash outlay for Linux based Web/FTP/Mail Server = $0

PH

 

[IBhacknU]

thanks everyone....

looks like all I have to do for the time being is get the virtual domain hosting working on my apache (for windows) and I'll be set for now.

The upgrade to NT... or even linux will happen later.