DSL Ideas and Suggestions :: Web server for an old PC?



Check out linux.org and search the distributions for minimal.  Freesco has a web server and I think basic linux can be set up for that without too much trouble.  There are also other one disk and two disk distros that could be used.  You will have to use something with an older kernel.  I use freesco as a router and it has ftp and http servers in it.  It also does dns and dhcp if you need it.  Check the distributions on linux.org for more options.
Quote (pedrohp @ Jan. 09 2006,05:13)
OK! Thanks for your answer, especially because it was too fast!

But it seems I have a PROBLEM:
I didn't find the minimum requirements for Debian Sarge, version 3.1rc1a. If its kernel is 2.6, I can not install it on my old 486DX2 16MB RAM. That's why I wanted a DSL distribution (2.4 kernel) with just NO graphical interface, and with sshd and httpd.
If Debian 3.1rc1a (business card) can be installed on my old 486DX2 16MB RAM without any problem, sure I will try!

And thanks again for the attention given.
Att, pedrohp.
email: pedrohp@gmail.com

Ooops, my fault. You're absolutely right. The business card netinst only has 2.6 kernels. Sorry about that.

I think the larger netinst image (180MB) has the 2.4.x series kernel on it, if not, do a google search for LordSutch netinst images. I used the LordSutch iso to install Debian on a similar box to yours, (100MHz 16MB and a 500MB hard drive, iirc), and it worked just fine.

By the way, unless you're doing major database transactions, that box will run Apache JUST FINE!  You'll run into problems if your site design is heavy on images or scripting, but for serving up static webpages, that box will be enough to handle the job.

Once you get it up and running, post the URL.  I'd love to take a look at it (unless there's gay/child/bestial , I don't really fit into that demographic ;) )
Quote (AwPhuch @ Jan. 09 2006,19:11)
If you ran DSL in "frugal" mode with persistant (/home /opt) directories, in bootlevel cheat code 2 and then ran xampp in the /opt directory it would work just fine...however dont expect lightning miracles, but it would work...because if you can run a desktop (all be it very slugishly) with 16Meg ram, running DSL with no xserver (freeing up 12-14Megs of the ram) for Apache would be good

Just make sure you have a 128+MB minimum swapspace!!!

Brian
AwPhuch

You guys didnt see this!

He doent need another distro...

Brian
AwPhuch
Dear fellows,

My problem is now solved! I have my old pc -  486DX2 66MHz , 16MB RAM, 200MB HD - turn into a Web Server.

All I have to do was to install DSL Linux without the graphical interface. And it runs Monkey HTTP server instead of the Apache and SSH server. I wanted Apache for serving pages, but Monkey HTTP was just fine for me.

Everything is working fine! Thanks everybody for the attention given, it all helped me out. DSL is a good solution for old pcs like mine, especially when you want to give power to old machines that were stopped for a long time.

So, if one wants to turn its old pc into a small Web server, serving static pages only -> DSL Linux is a good idea, with Monkey HTTP and SSH servers.

Att, pedrohp.

original here.