Ubuntu server

[ThePiston]

I'm looking into setting up a home web server but I'm kind of lost. I found Ubuntu server and installed it. I was expecting to see a Linux desktop like Knoppix or something, but it's all text - is that right? You configure the entire server through text? I don't mind if this is the way you do it (I'm old enough to know my way around DOS). Is there a Linux distribution that already has everything done so I just install it and boom, I'm done?

 

[Nothinman]

Generally yes that's how it is, using X on a server is a waste of resources.

The Ubuntu LTS server disc has a "LAMP" option that automatically installs Apache, MySQL and PHP so if that's what you're going for I'm not sure what else you could want to happen automatically.

 

[ThePiston]

ok, that's what I installed. Looks like i have a lot to learn. Took me like 50 tries when trying to install on an old Athlon 1600+ machine because it had a bad stick of ram - took an hour before I found that out. Do you know of any good tutorials on how to get Ubuntu running optimally? I saw this one: http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect_setup_ubuntu_6.06_p3

 

[jacc1234]

What are you trying to do with the server? If you give me some more info it will be easier to help you set it up.

Jacc1234

 

[Brazen]

go to help.ubuntu.com and they have some excellent server documentation.

 

[ThePiston]

the documentation is OK, but they don't tell you how to do simple stuff like - add files to the srver. I run about 8 Joomla sites and my host sucks. I have a 30/5 FIOS connection at home and was iven permission to run a server. I've always wanted to, so I'm going to try and set up a Linux box. I need some sort of cPanel aternative for myself to log into (looking into webmin or VHCS2). I'm stuck though - I'm trying to alter the /etc/apt/sources.list but even as root I get "permission denied". I also can't install webmin because "libauthen-pam-perl" and "libmd5-perl" give errors (not available or something). So I can't go any further until I figure it all out.

My ultimate goal is to get a static IP and run all of my sites from my home web server.

 

[Brazen]

webmin and vhcs are for solving two different kinds of problems. Webmin is for overall system management and does have an interface for transferring files to and from the server. Webmin goes on every server I set up. VHCS is for webhosting, such as if you want to give other users access to a web interface to manage only their sites on the server (basically just like your web host provider provides you). VHCS is something that might help you in addition to Webmin. After you use Webmin to get your computer all set up, you could install VHCS (which will take a bit of extra configuration) to make managing your sites easier since you have quite a handful of them. Or it might just be extra work; personally I would just manage the sites through the Apache configs by hand.

The libauthen-pam-perl and libmd5-perl "errors" are not errors, they are just dependencies. You just need to do "sudo aptitude install libauthen-pam-perl libmd5-perl" to install those dependencies, then dpkg should automatically finish up the webmin install without you even having to reinitiate it, IIRC.

As for the original problem of transferring files to the server, I use ssh. You do "sudo aptitude install openssh-server" and then connect to your server from your Windows box using Putty and WinSCP (Putty for a commandline, WinSCP to do file transfers).

 

[Brazen]

Also, here is the section in the documentation you need to read, and hopefully you are using Ubuntu Dapper Server, not Feisty server: https://help.ubuntu.com/6.06/u...rverguide/C/index.html

 

[Nothinman]

but they don't tell you how to do simple stuff like - add files to the srver.

They probably assume you'll figure that out on your own, it's not terribly difficult to decide whether you want to use FTP or SCP and go from there. And a bit of warning, don't touch FTP unless you absolutely have to, you'll likely be using SSH for administration so using SCP/SFTP is already there and WinSCP is just as simple as any FTP client you'll find for Windows.

I need some sort of cPanel aternative for myself to log into (looking into webmin or VHCS2).

Why? I have no idea what cPanel does for you but for just a simple webserver with a site or two I don't see why you'd need anything like that.

I'm stuck though - I'm trying to alter the /etc/apt/sources.list but even as root I get "permission denied".

Regular users, no matter what group they're in, don't have permissions to do virtually anything. You need to either use sudo (the installer should have setup your account to use sudo already) or enable the root account and use 'su -' to get a root shell.

 

[ThePiston]

i actually run 8 different sites (some Joomla and vBulletin) and have some paying clients that I host. I want to host these sites which might mean letting people log in and alter files like on a normal host.

 

[agibby5]

I dont mean to hijack this thread... but I was interested in doing the same thing (setting up a webhost) but on a Ubuntu desktop. The reason I want to do this is to debug the website while I'm developing it. I'm not so satisfied with doing so while the files are hosted in the public eye.

Anyone have any recommendations for this?

Thanks

 

[ThePiston]

I'm getting there but my FIOS router really stinks - why are there so many different ways to do things with Ubuntu/Debain? For instance, I have found 4-5 server "how tos" that describe in detail the "best" way to set up a server. Most of them have these lines that say, "be sure to turn off this or you'll screw everything up!" but someone else says something different about same component. I guess Ubuntu is nice for someone who wants a dedicated server for home use, but there's a lot more to it when you're trying to actually set up an actual web hosting platform for yourself...

I have run into major stumbling blocks trying to get VHCS to run - namely it doesn't work with php5 which is what is installed in the LAMP edition automatically. Also, when you are logged into the server under a normal user and then you log in as sudo, you remain in the user's folder which kept me frustrated or hours because I couldn't figure out why I was denied permission to access /etc/apt/sources.list (I was not in correct folder). So, I think I can do it, I'm not giving up yet, but a true, "How To" is nowhere to be found for a true noob.

 

[Nothinman]

Anyone have any recommendations for this?

Find out what software your webhost is using and install the same stuff on Ubuntu.

why are there so many different ways to do things with Ubuntu/Debain? For instance, I have found 4-5 server "how tos" that describe in detail the "best" way to set up a server.

Because many people like to do things differently.

I guess Ubuntu is nice for someone who wants a dedicated server for home use, but there's a lot more to it when you're trying to actually set up an actual web hosting platform for yourself...

Ubuntu is nice for both because it's flexible enough to do both in whatever fashion you need.

I have run into major stumbling blocks trying to get VHCS to run - namely it doesn't work with php5 which is what is installed in the LAMP edition automatically.

PHP5 has been out since '04, it might be time for them to update their product...

But if you want PHP4 you should be able to remove the php5 metapackage and install the php4 metapackage, but it looks like PHP4 was removed from more recent releases of Ubuntu so the next LTS release likely won't have it available.

Also, when you are logged into the server under a normal user and then you log in as sudo, you remain in the user's folder which kept me frustrated or hours because I couldn't figure out why I was denied permission to access /etc/apt/sources.list (I was not in correct folder). So, I think I can do it, I'm not giving up yet, but a true, "How To" is nowhere to be found for a true noob.

sudo runs the command you tell it and then exits so you end up right back where you started before you ran sudo. So you either 'cd' to the right directory first or just use the full path.

 

[agibby5]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

Anyone have any recommendations for this?

Find out what software your webhost is using and install the same stuff on Ubuntu.

How would I know what software they're running? Would customer service know/answer this if I called?

 

[Nothinman]

How would I know what software they're running? Would customer service know/answer this if I called?

You're developing a website and you don't know what software you're targetting? I assumed you'd at least be able to figure out things like Apache 2.2.x, PHP5.x, etc.

 

[agibby5]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

How would I know what software they're running? Would customer service know/answer this if I called?

You're developing a website and you don't know what software you're targetting? I assumed you'd at least be able to figure out things like Apache 2.2.x, PHP5.x, etc.

Yes, I've already installed all that stuff... I just didn't consider that I might not be running in the same environment as my paid web host is.

I'm just trying to set things up locally so I can do some higher level development without breaking things on the real site.

Thanks for the help

 

[Nothinman]

Yes, I've already installed all that stuff... I just didn't consider that I might not be running in the same environment as my paid web host is.

Well there is always a chance of difference in configuration and the only way to verify that would be to look at the configs yourself if you have access or to get one of their support people to answer some questions for you.

 

[ThePiston]

i was in the wrong ubuntu forum on their main site - i was in the beginner forum when i should have been in the server forum - i'll get better attention in there i think

 

[hooflung]

You also need to be running a Bind server ( DNS ) so that you can actually use your sites. Ubuntu, is by far, one of the better linux distro's for running a full blown server. Be thankful you didn't try Gentoo or you'd still be asking installation questions ^^

 

[ThePiston]

I can't believe I'm asking this, but what dos the DNS do? I'll have a static IP and the router will route all 80, 8080, 21, 23, 25 ports to the server.

 

[Nothinman]

DNS is what translates IPs to text names.

 

[ThePiston]

would that be needed? In dreamhost panel (who hots the domain name) I'd just tell it to direct all queries for the domain name to my IP, right?

 

[Nothinman]

If you have someone else hosting your DNS, then no you don't need to do it yourself and it's not a good idea to run more than one service on a machine anyway.

 

[skreet]

I use GoDaddy for buying my domains, and they'll host the DNS for free as well. You might find out where your various hostnames were purchased and see if they'll do your DNS for free.

 

[heymrdj]

DON"T RUN VHCS!!! It's unsupported, mostly dead, and has security holes out the ying yang.

I use ISPConfig on all my setups. www.ispconfig.com You can go to that site and get the links to the Perfect Setup guides form howtoforge.com. I know there is a Debian 3.1 and Debian 4.0 guide. Not sure if there's an Ubuntu.

EDIT: Found the guides

Ubuntu Feisty Fawn 7.04
Ubuntu Edgy Eft 6.10
Ubuntu Dapper Drake 6.06

I seriously recommend 7.04 so you can use the newest stable and secure mysql and php.

Also, on the thing about wasting resources on an x server, I find it extremely time saving to have one, especially when that server is local. Makes work much faster. However to conserve resources, I install xorg, kdm, and kde-essentials packages. then I prevent them from booting at startup, then start them manually through shell when I need them. But on this server I use now for my file box, I just let xorg and kdm run. With 2GB of RAM, and another 2 on the way, it's not really an issue, specially with an Athlon 4400+ X2 overclocked to 2.9Ghz .