Web server for an old PC?Forum: DSL Ideas and Suggestions Topic: Web server for an old PC? started by: pedrohp Posted by pedrohp on Jan. 09 2006,04:01
Can anyone help me out?I want my old PC 486DX2-16MB RAM to become a web server with httpd (apache) and sshd. I only need the basics of a linux system and I like DSL very much. But, I do not need the graphical interface. So, I ask: Can anyone MAKE me a DSL distribution, which has the following features: * NO graphical interface; * NO applications at all that use the GUI; * httpd and sshd servers; * kernel 2.4; * most linux basics for bash shell. And it must run on my 486DX2 16MB RAM, 1.2GB HD, CD-ROM. Thanks for the attention given, Att, pedrohp. email: pedrohp@gmail.com Posted by Grim on Jan. 09 2006,09:26
You don't want DSL, you want Debian. Grab the Debian < netinst > business card CD. It's about 40MB. It's NOT A LIVE CD! but it will get you to a bare-bone state where you can add what you want, all with Debian's legendary stability. (read old -- but well-tested) Posted by skaos on Jan. 09 2006,12:12
I doubt that Apache would run on your box. Some alternatives are:< http://dnhttpd.sourceforge.net/ > < http://www.acme.com/software/micro_httpd/ > < http://www.acme.com/software/mini_httpd/ > < http://monkeyd.sourceforge.net/ > < http://nanoweb.si.kz/ > < http://www.acme.com/software/thttpd/ > You could also take a look at < http://www.ibls.org/ > (even though it requires P-133 and 32 MB). Posted by pedrohp on Jan. 09 2006,12:13
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 Posted by AwPhuch on Jan. 10 2006,00:11
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 goodJust make sure you have a 128+MB minimum swapspace!!! Brian AwPhuch Posted by brianw on Jan. 10 2006,18:43
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.
Posted by Grim on Jan. 12 2006,00:05
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 ;) ) Posted by AwPhuch on Jan. 12 2006,01:10
You guys didnt see this! He doent need another distro... Brian AwPhuch Posted by pedrohp on Jan. 17 2006,18:30
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. |