IIS to Linux?

I'm not very familiar with M$ licensing... why is it that you can't get more than 10 connections on your web server? Is the licensing for Win2K or IIS?

And I didn't know you could run IIS with PWS. I always thought it was one or the other.

For a webserver, in particular for someone with limited funds, you should be running Linux/Apache. This has nothing to do with any kind of Windows bashing. It's just common sense. To run IIs, you really need 2K server but it can be expensive both in the initial purchase and as you add licenses. IIs is probably a little easier to run, at least initially but it's performance is sad compared to Apache. Apache on Windows would be your next best option and you wouldn't have the connection limits.

At work, I have a IIS server running for one application on a Ghz system. I also have a Linux server running Apache on a Pentium 200 for web development. The Apache system runs faster unless I have some severely hungry database call.

Well, the licence for win2000 server is about $1100 oem and $1400 retail (Canadian) with no extra user lic. But with unlimited http connections. This would be great for learning IIS more but.......

I need a system that rocks and costs nothing but my time. I don't have ANY expierence with linux, but should build a test system to practice on and learn some of it already.

I need to be less dependant on windows. Im not bad with windows dos/command lines, so linux could be doable for me after some practice on a test server.

But if I can for now get away with running apache on win2k without windows stopping me at 10 connections then great. I can load it up with memory and deal with that while learning linux. What version do you suggest for a linux virgin?

My next worry is:

All the frontpage/dreamweaver code not being apache compatible.
Im so used to IIS and using frontpage for publishing to my website.
Can i run apachewin32 as a service without IIS installed?

I know..lots of dumb questions...time for me to start reading eh?
Im kinda excited.....more performance for less money, very ironic.

Chris Shaw

maximum-digital.com

maximum-digital.net

Thanks for your help guys, I dont personally have any geek friends to help me here...

Just install FP extensions with Apache and you should be okay.

As far as flavors of Linux go, everyone has their favorites. I tend to like Slackware but others like Mandrake, RedHat and SUSE probably in that order. The chief differences between them are how they look, where they put their files and how they install programs. I would probably go with Mandrake or RedHat. Head over to Linuxiso and you can download pretty much any version. Then you can burn a bootable CD with the ISO image.

Be prepared though. Don't expect to learn all that you need to know overnight. It takes a little while to figure out things in Linux. Apache is not all that difficult since most of your config is done through a single file. There are plenty of places to learn online and plenty of good books available. Of course, we can always help you here.

Well, I am so glad to here that win32 apache will run fp extensions. Not needing win2000server and getting unlimited connections with a win version of apache makes it feel like christmas right now (Big smile). You see, someone in my houshold don't agree that i have the money to buy a win2000server lic. (lol).

So I guess one of my last questions today before I go read about this and try this after work is:

Should I uninstall IIS before installing apache32?

Do I need IIS still installed with the IIS server shutdown?

Sounds like if im using fp extensions i may need IIS running in the background with the IIS http server/ftp server off?

Thanks so much for your advice on this matter. I may run a puny website, but this change is really big for me, and when done will make me a very, very happy man.

I understand that learning Linux is not an overnight deal, but if servers run so good on it, I will definitly try going that route. Its not all just about the money for a M$ lic. Just hearing about msn not running thier servers with thier own software till just recently is a prime example of who's running the show or not.

But you have to admit, IIS has some handy options and monitors though.

Well im going to print off some decent documentation tonight, thanks

chris

Well, I did say in this thread that I needed a "Legal" server. The NTswitch is not a legal server and it has a memory leak problem anyways if you use that patch.The last thing I need is m$ BS or a memory leak.

I guess i will try downloading mandrake and apache and see how that goes.....

(I will NOT be forced into buying IIS Server)

Well im impressed. I went and BOUGHT mandrake 9.0 and installed it on a test machine. Other than not detecting an ISA soundblaster card, it installed rather well. (I have NEVER played with linux before.)

I think that this OS ROCKS. I know diehards of linux may not like the mandrake version but for a webmaster going from windows to linux for the first time, COOL.

More network and server options than a guy knows what to do with, and I bought the 7? disk power pack for 80$ can. That included a huge manual and all the extra goodies. (I downloaded it as well but wanted the powerpack)

I really didnt expect such a system, and I wish i was into linux years ago.

Heck even the cheesy games included where nice. (About 50).

I will work with this test server, and once i get used to it, its apache for sure for my websites.

Way nicer than paying 1400can for a win2000 server.

I just cant get over how good the mandrake OS options/configuration is for the price. Im seeing bill seeing less of my money already lol

I do have a question, what are my options for hosting multiple websites on one machine?

happy serving everyone.............

Chris Shaw

http://www.maximum-digital.com

http://www.maximum-digital.net

Apache makes multiple sites on one machine really easy...
http://httpd.apache.org/docs/vhosts/ip-based.html
http://www.apacheweek.com/features/vhost
http://httpd.apache.org/docs/vhosts/name-based.html
Depends on how you are set up
I'm personally a fan of RedHat, Mandrake seemed a bit unorganized to me
Good luck!

Unorganized in what aspect?

One man's organization is another man's mess.

I tend to like certain programs to be installed in certain places. None of the distros ever do it the way that I want it so I move the programs myself. Mandrake and Redhat install apache in /etc. Slackware in /var. It doesn't really matter all that much but Apache's default location is /usr/local/apache, so I move it over. I usually have to recompile it anyway since it wasn't compiled with all the options that I need.

Yeah, I do that too. (or I try to at least)

I gues my mind is stuck on Mandrake because it was my first successfull install of linux.

Im having trouble trying to get the "Server Configuration" option in the mandrake control center. Apache is running but in the docs is shows it is there. Im trying to get a GUI for configuring apache.....

I know RedHat has a GUI called.... apacheconfig
It's not the most customizable, so if you are going to use that, you should go through httpd.conf and clean it up because sometimes it turns out to be a real mess
I like RedHat, because like Mark-Mandrake, it was my first successful install
Maybe I'll put Mandrake on an extra box I have sitting around