Using Linux to be a WWW host. ???

[AkumaBao]

Well, I'm to the point that I would like to use my Linux Box as a host for websites. ( So I think ) So what do I need to know about to start such a thing? What kind of CPU usage would I have with something like that? Will I still be able to use most of my programs without lag? While I'm on a close enough subject, what is Perl, and how can I use it? I have it installed, but is it a non-GUI app? I don't see it anywhere on the GUI.

 

[SinfulWeeper]

Linux servers are clearly superior to any Microsoft server software. However people regularly 'try' linux after running M$ and declare linux sux because it is not what they are used of.

Getting back on track, I really do not have time to help out on this project of yours. However my dad might. He does not have a single M$ product short of their optical mouse in his home/work enviroment, so he can probably help you out rather well if he has the time.

 

[freebsddude]

CPU usage would depend on your CPU (machine configuration), the amount of web traffic you receive, and the applications, if any that are already running on the box.

A low powered CPU with lots of web traffic could do better than a powerful machine which is already running several other applications besides webservers.

What is your machine configuration like ?

 

[zigCorsair]

<< Well, I'm to the point that I would like to use my Linux Box as a host for websites. ( So I think ) So what do I need to know about to start such a thing? >>


Apache - note: it comes installed usually



<< What kind of CPU usage would I have with something like that? >>


If it's more of a hobby, p200mmx is what I ran mine on for awhile. Now, it's an XP box, because I incorrectly diagnosed that I was hacked when I was having hardware issues, but it ran the site for awhile....



<< Will I still be able to use most of my programs without lag? >>


I have always assumed that services take a higher priority than GUI apps. However, I would really like it if someone validated or invalidated this for me, please .

[p]what is Perl, and how can I use it? I have it installed, but is it a non-GUI app? I don't see it anywhere on the GUI. [/i] >>


I am a bit fuzzy on Perl myself, but this is what I think I have learned. Perl scripts are run through the perl interpreter. Assuming you have perl installed, you can run a perl script by typing:
perl thisismyscript.perl

Good luck!

 

[Sunner]

Apache is by far the most common server on the net, and a very good one at that.
If I were you, I'd download the source and compile it, mostly cause some Linux distributions tend to place config files in different locations, while with a compiled version, you'll get them in the "standard" localtions.

And unless you're looking at a very high traffic website, you'll likely be fine with any P5 class CPU or better, though a P6 would be preferable if you're gonna run anything else on it as well.

Perl is a programming language, quite useful for a bunch of things, including CGI scripts, you can find info about it all over the net, just use google.
O'Reilly have some really good books about it as well.

And as for doing other things as well, you can start processes with different priorities, using "nice", just look at the manpage for more info.
Or to change the priority of an already running program, run "renice", again look at the manpage.

A few useful sites:
Linuxnewbie.org
Linuxdoc.org
Perl.org
O'Reilly.com(for good books about just about anything Linux related, including Linux, Perl, and Apache).

 

[AkumaBao]

Well, I'm using a Athlon 1.2GHz for my Linux Machine now. I guess I'll look into Apache. I already have it installed, just didn't know what it was.

 

[zigCorsair]

Btw, once you get it up and running, could I recommend AnalogX as your logfile analyzer? I don't work for them or anything, but I like it a lot - it's freeeeee !!!