Webserver in a box? Does one exist?

[MBony]

I was wondering if there is such a thing. About the size of a NAS drive, but handles databases (MySql) inside of a building. I was wanting to substitute such a box for a server.

Does this exist?

 

[Atheus]

Well if there was, it would have to have a powerful processor and plenty of memory - things you don't have to worry about for a NAS. You would have to power and cool those things, which means heatsinks and fans and a proper PSU, which means lots of space in the case. If such a device existed it would be so much like a normal server, that it would actually *be* a normal server...

 

[MBony]

I found one.

Link

 

[Atheus]

But that doesn't do mysql databases like you asked for, it's just a SOHO router and NAS in one box - the webserver will be very basic.

 

[MBony]

Found this one as well, what do you think?

Link

 

[DaveSimmons]

If you aren't on a budget, you could buy a Shuttle cube from us.shuttle.com or a custom PC in a Silverstone cube case from www.EndPCNoise.com.

That $300 box might only have a tiny amount of RAM for mySQL, with a cube PC you could put in 2GB.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Um, hi. Voice of reason here.

*ahem*

Putting a web server on a NAS box is a Very Bad Idea.

If your web server gets rooted, you just lost control of all that data. Copied, deleted ... copied and then deleted ... a whole world of Very Bad Things can happen.

Build yourself a standard, low-power x86 box. Hell, you could go VIA EPIA + Linux with a network boot, and make it zero moving parts. Can't get much better than that.

- M4H

 

[MBony]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Um, hi. Voice of reason here.

*ahem*

Putting a web server on a NAS box is a Very Bad Idea.

If your web server gets rooted, you just lost control of all that data. Copied, deleted ... copied and then deleted ... a whole world of Very Bad Things can happen.

Build yourself a standard, low-power x86 box. Hell, you could go VIA EPIA + Linux with a network boot, and make it zero moving parts. Can't get much better than that.

- M4H

I wasn't planning on using this as an external web server, but for internal use only. Does your point still apply?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: MBony
I wasn't planning on using this as an external web server, but for internal use only. Does your point still apply?

When (never "if") the network gets compromised, yes, it still applies. 😉

I still think your needs would be better served by a generic x86 box ... you seem to want something decently customizable/powerful, and I don't think vendor lock-in is ever a "pro."

If you stay diskless and go with a network-booting OS (for the love of Rock, run gigabit though, esp. for SQL) you could probably get away with something like an EPIA sipping ~10-15W of juice at full whack ... if you need more power, step up to a P3, add a fan, and probably stay under 30W.

- M4H

 

[MBony]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: MBony
I wasn't planning on using this as an external web server, but for internal use only. Does your point still apply?

When (never "if") the network gets compromised, yes, it still applies. 😉

I still think your needs would be better served by a generic x86 box ... you seem to want something decently customizable/powerful, and I don't think vendor lock-in is ever a "pro."

If you stay diskless and go with a network-booting OS (for the love of Rock, run gigabit though, esp. for SQL) you could probably get away with something like an EPIA sipping ~10-15W of juice at full whack ... if you need more power, step up to a P3, add a fan, and probably stay under 30W.

- M4H

Any idea what kind of budget a machine like the one you are suggesting would run?

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: MBony
Any idea what kind of budget a machine like the one you are suggesting would run?

Somewhere between a bag of chips and a new mp3 player. You might even pick something up for free.

/edit: here you go - 1.266GHz P3 server, $36, ends in 3 hours:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Compaq-ProLiant-DL3...19QQcategoryZ56101QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or this - dual 866Mhz P3s, SCSI drives, buy it now for a hundred bucks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-PowerEdge-2400...74QQcategoryZ51229QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[MBony]

Originally posted by: Atheus

Originally posted by: MBony
Any idea what kind of budget a machine like the one you are suggesting would run?

Somewhere between a bag of chips and a new mp3 player. You might even pick something up for free.

/edit: here you go - 1.266GHz P3 server, $36, ends in 3 hours:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Compaq-ProLiant-DL3...19QQcategoryZ56101QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

or this - dual 866Mhz P3s, SCSI drives, buy it now for a hundred bucks.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dell-PowerEdge-2400...74QQcategoryZ51229QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks Atheus, but I'm looking for a new one since I'll be needing multiple machines.

 

[bob4432]

how many people is the website going to serve up? multiple machines - ? different locations? or a nas and a webserver?

i am running a smf bulletin board under a wamp https server on a 550MHz p3 w/ 256MB ram - works like a charm and is quick but i am more limited by the 1Mb/s up internet connection