Cheap WebServer w/Darwin
First off, I want to apologize if there is already a thread on this.
Anyway... I want to get together a cheap webserver for a small family business website. What I want to use is Darwin with Apache (free!). What I want to know is what is the cheapest machine I can get to run this? Also, once I get this, where do I go to get this thing connected to the internet? I currently have a cable modem, but the TOS say that I cannot run a webserver on the cable modem. Lastly, would it be easier/cheaper to go with x86 machine and use the x86 Darwin port?
When replying, please keep in mind that cost is the ultimate problem. I need the absolute cheapest way to do this. -Thanks!
Anyway... I want to get together a cheap webserver for a small family business website. What I want to use is Darwin with Apache (free!). What I want to know is what is the cheapest machine I can get to run this? Also, once I get this, where do I go to get this thing connected to the internet? I currently have a cable modem, but the TOS say that I cannot run a webserver on the cable modem. Lastly, would it be easier/cheaper to go with x86 machine and use the x86 Darwin port?
When replying, please keep in mind that cost is the ultimate problem. I need the absolute cheapest way to do this. -Thanks!
Comments
Get an older iMac for about $200-300 from eBay. Stick with the Tray-loading kind - they'll be more reliable as a server b/c they have a fan. Have at least 160MB of RAM, load up Darwin and Voila! You're up and running. This will be FAR easier than trying to go the Wintel route, and about the same expense for similar performance.
WRT connecting to the internet, you may need to step up to the premium service for small business which gives you a static IP (which you will need), but will about double your monthly bill.
For a free static IP to the internet I'm afraid you're out of luck unless you can bribe some IT manager somewhere to host your machine.
Overall, it might actually be cheaper in the long run to go with a web hosting provider like which provides free basic hosting, and about $20/month for server-side scripting and database support.<a href="http://www.doteasy.com"; target="_blank">Dot Easy</a>
<strong> load up Darwin and Voila! You're up and running. This will be FAR easier than trying to go the Wintel route</strong><hr></blockquote>
Hmm, don't know about "Voila! You're up and running." but definitely possible. Configuring BIND, Apache, FTP, Sendmail, PHP, MySQL, file and print services, etc. isn't exactly Voila! in my book - might not be difficult, but it takes some time...
I too am interested in using Darwin as a server - currently I am running OS X Server 10.1 and next year when I upgrade my hardware I am going to be upgrading my server OS (Server 10.1 is severely lacking in several areas and since I have configure almost everything by CLI anyway, see no reason to shell out the $$$). I was thinking of just using a vanilla OS X install and configuring everything on top of that, but really the core OS (Darwin) is all that is really needed...
I am curious (and too lazy to look right now) at what is included in the Darwin distribution by default - I know Apache is, but what else? I assume BIND, Sendmail, PHP, MySQL. What about an FTP server? I only use this thing for http/mail/dns so I don't need any file or print services... Course it is easy enough to install all those things without them coming by default...
And the one last piece I doubt is there (I asked this in another thread which got no response). Is there a good watchdog daemon which can be installed? Something to make sure my services are running, and if not then restart them?
Is Darwin the answer?