I need some tips on setting up a Linux Server.....?

Question

I purchased a service which provides a Dell ESP 440 with CentOS 4.x. I connected via SSH and when I type 'LS' all I see is a file called 'anaconda-ks.cfg'. It appears like the server is empty. I've done a lot of freelance PHP programming and some 'light' server functions; I've setup a few IIS servers but nothing of this scope. Basically I am developing a large-scale website, Joomla-based, with server-side video transcoding (using FFMPEG). Any good online tutorials on setting this type of server up?

Answer 1

When you log in with SSH it takes you to the USERS home directory. Which if you logged in as root won't have much in it. Try cd / then ls. I'll bet you will see all sorts of files.

I would suggest if you really arent real familiar with LINUX that you install a web host control panel. Zervex has a nice free one for single domains.. http://zervex.com it makes management a whole lot easier using a web based interface.
There are several others but that one works well with CentOS.
Zervex will install the proper MySql and supporting items that you will need for Joomla etc. It also makes it easy to manage email users, etc.

If you want a full open source one try http://www.ispconfig.org/
ISPconfig is not too bad but support for Zervex is better since they also offer a commercially supported version.

Then pick up a good set of books on Linux and Apache. Sams publishing has several good starters.
I liked and use it regualarly a book called Teach Yourself PHP, MySQL and APACHE in 24 Hours. Its by Meloni and is really a good reference quide (I know you're used to PHP but APACHE is different than IIS.. and on linux its much more stable to boot!)

Online visit http://Apache.org and http://linux.com http://www.linuxhelp.net/guides/lamp/
For commands http://www.reallylinux.com/docs/admin.shtml
Linux Admin http://tldp.org/LDP/lame/LAME/linux-admin-made-easy/index.html
Secure..http://www.linuxdevcenter.com/pub/a/linux/2006/03/23/secure-your-server.html
and many many others. You also need to know about sendmail or courier mail server etc. which ever was setup for you if any.

But the one piece of advice I can say for sure is -- install a control panel your life will be much easier for everything! You might even want to consider getting a Linux experienced consulant or administrator to get you going.

Answer 2

You're digging into a fairly big can of worms, that can't easily be answered in a single Yahoo Answers entry, but I'll give it a shot... 1) You'll need a Linux OS running on this spare machine of yours... drive partition, hardware drivers, the works! 2) Next, you'll need a web-hosting application (Apache, etc.) setup and running on this new Linux box 3) You'll need to establish a DynamicDNS account/service and set it up to reference your new Linux box (you most likely don't have a public IP address from your ISP, though I could be wrong, in which case then you won't need Dynamic DNS) 4) You'll need to reconfigure your router to pass incoming traffic to the Linux box (most likely, port 80 only) 5) You'll need to have a reply ready for your ISP as to why your incoming bandwidth jumped through the roof, and hope its not in violation of your service agreement (many ISPs don't allow hosting on residential accounts) It may not be detailed, but it should get you started!! Best of luck!!