What platform to host a few web sites on?

[Kremlar]

I'm looking to host a few web sites within the next 1-2 months. Not high traffic, probably 4 web sites, 5 or 6 pages each - just basic informational web sites for small business.

What's a good, easy to use, secure platform to host multiple sites on one box?

I don't have any Linux experience (yet), but wouldn't be opposed to giving it a shot if there's something relatively easy to setup.

I'm very familiar with Windows Server/Exchange 2003, but not so mich with IIS - so I figured I'd look for some suggestions.

Thanks!!

 

[bluestrobe]

If low traffic? Then Windows/Apache. I'm learning it now but for a temporary solution you could be up and running in under 20 minutes. I'm still learning on running more than one web site from the same server so you'll have to learn that one.

 

[Goosemaster]

agreed. Windows + apache is VERY easy.

Jsut be ready to read the manual.


edit: I would have to say that IIS bundled with XP pro is pretty easy too, but it needs to be patched.

 

[Podolak]

Gah, I hate to keep promoting the same product but...

If you want an open source solution www.clarkconnect.org is one of the easiest ways to get started with linux. It runs Apache on RH.

If anything I'd stick with Apache, great secure web server. IIS has never impressed me even with all the fixes in IIS 6.

Good luck on your project, there are a lot of guides and walk throughs out there.

 

[skyking]

http://www.devside.net/
This is a nice site for your project.

The default apache2 .conf file is ~1200 lines of mostly unused stuff. it is a great reference, but can be a bit daunting for the unintiated.

http://www.devside.net/web/config/windows/httpd-conf
Here is the pared down file, what you need for most sites. It is much nicer for the newb.

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: bluestrobe
If low traffic? Then Windows/Apache. I'm learning it now but for a temporary solution you could be up and running in under 20 minutes. I'm still learning on running more than one web site from the same server so you'll have to learn that one.

You need to use the NameVirtualHost directive and set a virtual host for each site you want to host. PM me if you need more specific help. OP, apache is nice, and it runs on Windows. You'll also have flexibility down the road with the extreme number of configuration options available to Apache.

 

[nweaver]

I realize there is comfort in windows, but if you are running apache, why not save the resources and patching problems by running a good linux distro? The apache stuff is cake, remote access is much better, and you save lots of memory/CPU cycles from the GUI.

not to mention, running apt-get update && apt-get upgrade followed by an /etc/init.d/apache2 restart is much easier then tracking apache for windows versions, patching it on windows, and patching/rebooting windows.

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: nweaver
I realize there is comfort in windows, but if you are running apache, why not save the resources and patching problems by running a good linux distro? The apache stuff is cake, remote access is much better, and you save lots of memory/CPU cycles from the GUI.

not to mention, running apt-get update && apt-get upgrade followed by an /etc/init.d/apache2 restart is much easier then tracking apache for windows versions, patching it on windows, and patching/rebooting windows.

Very true, Debian is nice, as they handle the security updates for you, and APT is a fantastic package manager, one caveat however is that packages in the stable branch are extremely slow to update, for instance Sarge only recently got mysql 4.1. If you don't need the bleeding edge packages, Debian's a great choice, however the OP doesn't have much experience with either web servers or Linux, and it's tough to try to learn both at the same time.

 

[bluestrobe]

Originally posted by: DaiShan
Debian's a great choice, however the OP doesn't have much experience with either web servers or Linux, and it's tough to try to learn both at the same time.

I agree. I was pulling hair out running OpenSuSe with the Apache Friend's package and never got it to where I wanted. I ended up using win2K Server and Apache and had fun ever since.