Topic: Server Setup

[muttley]

I am a novice unix / linux user and have been toying with the idea of setting up a home network / server.
 
I have my own IP block ( through my ISP ) which allows me to run a web server & mail server.
 
This is what I am after, but have no clue how to do it.
 
I have found a few walk-throughs, only to be stopped part way through due to files either missing, outdated or a combination of the two.
 
So I am looking for someone willing to help me or work with me on setting something up.
 
My vision is :
 
Web Server ( Run 1 - 3 domains ... small websites with possibly a forum )
Mail Server ( to run the e-mail for said domains )
File Server ( to connect server to Vista desktop, Win7 Laptop - Wireless, and a 2nd laptop that I may put Ubuntu or Fedora on at a later time )
 
My box is just an old desktop. I'm saving my $ for an actual server design, but would like to get some knowledge into how to setup, configure and operate a server before I do that.
 
I have been given various choices ( From Ubuntu Server to CentOS ) and each had basically the same type of walkthrough ( All wanting me to install ISPConfig3 ) ... which may be useful as I am use to web hosts with Cpanel ( as is my friend who will be designing the websites for me )
 
Any suggestions or offers for help would be greatly appreciated.
 

[bigguy]

Welcome to the site. Glad to see you here. There is nothing wrong with an old desktop as a server. They work perfectly well for that as far as I am concerned. I think it was me that said to use Ubuntu Server. This is what I am running right now on my home server.

[muttley]

Thanks.
Yes, it was and you did.
 
I saw this site from the other one and thought I'd give my question a spin here.
 
I plan to download Ubuntu for server and desktop tonight. I can get through the initial steps pretty easily. Its getting all the things configured that has me confuzzled.
 
True. The desktop seems to work pretty nicely. I don't think I can run it with a GUI - seems to make it sluggish. *laughs*
 
 

[bigguy]

Nesa will be able to help you out more with configuration. I'm still learning myself really. On top of Ubuntu server I am using webmin which for the most part is fine to use as a control panel but something a bit easier would be nice. All the other options are paid though I do believe. I would check it out though after you get the O/S installed and configured properly.

[muttley]

Well, through some trials and errors ( and a few curse words along the way ) I managed to get my server setup ( I think )
 
I followed the guide I found online for Ubuntu Server 9.10 and managed to get it all pieced together.
I have squirrel-mail installed, ISPConfig3 and Webmin. ( I probably don't need that ISPConfig3 )
 
I am getting Webmin right now. But still have a few issues.
 
1. How do I set-up e-mail addresses? I think the mail server is installed ( As stated above, I have squirrel-mail installed and running ) but I have no clue how to login to it, or start setting up e-mail for my domain name. I think the mail server may not be installed / configured as I found a walkthrough / guide : http://flurdy.com/docs/postfix/#config-simple ) and there is a lot there that I didn't do. *laughs*
 
2. How do I go about getting a website put up ( Even just a decent placeholder for the time being ) and setting up a forum ( like SMF )
 
3. This is just for my own personal enjoyment - but I'd like to setup some type of login type banner notices. I have noticed on some systems when you connect it gives some welcome message on what server you are on, then when you login - it gives another message.
 
On one OS I used ( I think CentOS ) it even had a message when you were about to login as Root. ( or right after you did, I can't remember ) ... how would I set up something like that?
 
Example:
 
********************
This is a private system. All access is monitored and logged.
Authorized Personel only.
********************
 

[bigguy]

Anything you want to setup should go in the var/www/whateveryouwant folder. Do you have a domain name setup for it or are you using just ip address. I have to go out for a bit but will be back to see if I can help in anyway.

[bigguy]

var/www/ is the root of your server so putting a index.html or a index.php in there would be your front page. You can get there by going into "Others" and then "File Manager" in Webmin.

[BluenoseJake]

Hi Muttley,

Usually, you just create a user account, and that will also create the proper mail entries.  SOme walkthroughs I've seen on the web use a mysql based user scheme for email, but I'm not a big fan, I like the flexibility that a real account has, like being able to ssh in to the box and check my mail using mutt.

Putting up a website means installing apache(or something else, but apache is the standard) and setting permissions.  The apache portion of this page is pretty good http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect-server-ubuntu-9.10-karmic-koala-ispconfig-2.

If you're setting up banner notices, and booting to the console (not X) then just edit /etc/motd.tail  Any changes will propogate to the MOTD that appears during login.

[muttley]

Usually, you just create a user account, and that will also create the proper mail entries.  SOme walkthroughs I've seen on the web use a mysql based user scheme for email, but I'm not a big fan, I like the flexibility that a real account has, like being able to ssh in to the box and check my mail using mutt.

 
Okay. That could be one problem. I need to create a user for the e-mail account. Problem is, my server gives the e-mail as mouse.projectmicah.com - and I'd like my e-mail to be just from projectmicah.com
( I was able to send an e-mail out once, and that's how it arrived at my other account )
 

Putting up a website means installing apache(or something else, but apache is the standard) and setting permissions.  The apache portion of this page is pretty good [url=http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect-server-ubuntu-9.10-karmic-koala-ispconfig-2.

http://www.howtoforge.com/perfect-server-ubuntu-9.10-karmic-koala-ispconfig-2.[/url][/color][/url][/quote]
 
Yeah. I followed the one for Ispconfig3 actually. Got all the way to the installing the ISPconfig3 software and stopped. Don't really need that. But its all installed, just have no clue how to configure everything. Or how to setup the webpage ( like when coding the page - what is the address to write )
 
Say like I am wanting to link to another page, or graphics? What would be the address to use? like /public_html/graphics/mygraphic.jpg ...
 
Then, for the mail ... once I do figure out how to get the e-mail to be the correct name / domain name ( I'd like it to be micah @ projectmicah . com ) ... how would I check it from - say - Windows Live Mail ( the e-mail program on my other computer )
 

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