Best OS for a server

Forged · January 31, 2006, 10:06 PM

What would be the best operating to install if I wanted to use an old computer as a server? I intend on using it mainly to test things before I put it on my website, and to also share files with friends.

#Edit
Something that comes with PHP, APACHE, and MYSQL would be nice.

Eric · January 31, 2006, 10:18 PM

FreeBSD or almost any Linux distro.

Invert · January 31, 2006, 10:47 PM

Windows servers work well too.

iago · January 31, 2006, 11:39 PM

I'd probably say FreeBSD would be best, followed by pretty much any Linux.

Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found.

JTN Designer · January 31, 2006, 11:48 PM

Quote from: iago on January 31, 2006, 11:39 PM
I'd probably say FreeBSD would be best, followed by pretty much any Linux.

Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found.

Was easy for me. On all builds I've installed it on.

As for Linux, CentOS Server 4.x works well, Red Hat Enterprise 3-4, ss well as other distros. However Solaris is nice to use, if your familiar with it.

dxoigmn · February 01, 2006, 02:09 AM

Quote from: iago on January 31, 2006, 11:39 PM
Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found.

xampp with some config file changes for security and you're set.

Joe[x86] · February 01, 2006, 07:07 AM

iago uses Slackware for x86labs.org and javaop.com. He's got 99% uptime, and IMO, it's rather fast. Having hosting with him is nice, too, but I'm not him so I can't tell you how hard it was to set up.

MyndFyre · February 01, 2006, 08:06 AM

Quote from: iago on January 31, 2006, 11:39 PM
Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found.

With a fast internet connection it took me about 5 minutes to get all that installed + MediaWiki.

quasi-modo · February 01, 2006, 10:10 AM

Quote from: JTN Designer on January 31, 2006, 11:48 PM
Quote from: iago on January 31, 2006, 11:39 PM
I'd probably say FreeBSD would be best, followed by pretty much any Linux.

Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found.

Was easy for me. On all builds I've installed it on.

As for Linux, CentOS Server 4.x works well, Red Hat Enterprise 3-4, ss well as other distros. However Solaris is nice to use, if your familiar with it.

Oh God I hate solaris. I personally think Solaris is a pain in the ass. IMO Id go with ubuntu or suse or something.

MrRaza · February 01, 2006, 11:52 AM

I've been starting to use Windows Server 2003 standard edition lately, I like it.

Skywing · February 01, 2006, 05:18 PM

Quote from: iago on January 31, 2006, 11:39 PM
I'd probably say FreeBSD would be best, followed by pretty much any Linux.

Invert -- Getting PHP, Apache, and MySQL on a Windows server is more trouble than it's worth, I've found.

It of course depends heavily on the tasks you are doing. If you are getting a beefy multiproc box though, I would probably stay away from linux. From my experiences at work, linux isn't nearly as good as Windows from a scheduling and processor resource management perspective (especially Windows Server 2003) in multiproc scenarios.

quasi-modo · February 01, 2006, 05:43 PM

Some of the fancy proprietary forms of unix are very sexy when it comes to stuff like that. But I don't know how you would get your hands on something like QNX / Neutrino or some of the other new dual core / dual proc modified distros.

Eric · February 01, 2006, 05:46 PM

Quote from: quasi-modo on February 01, 2006, 05:43 PM
Some of the fancy proprietary forms of unix are very sexy when it comes to stuff like that.

Seing as how they're meant for that specific task, I'd hope so.

JTN Designer · February 02, 2006, 01:53 AM

Quote from: Joe on February 01, 2006, 07:07 AM
iago uses Slackware for x86labs.org and javaop.com. He's got 99% uptime, and IMO, it's rather fast. Having hosting with him is nice, too, but I'm not him so I can't tell you how hard it was to set up.

Uptime is not judged by the OS, in certain instances, MAYBE, but not enough to really make a difference.

Kp · February 02, 2006, 06:24 PM

Quote from: JTN Designer on February 02, 2006, 01:53 AM
Quote from: Joe on February 01, 2006, 07:07 AMiago uses Slackware for x86labs.org and javaop.com. He's got 99% uptime, and IMO, it's rather fast. Having hosting with him is nice, too, but I'm not him so I can't tell you how hard it was to set up.
Uptime is not judged by the OS, in certain instances, MAYBE, but not enough to really make a difference.

Quote from: MicrosoftAfter applying this critical security update, you may need to reboot your computer.