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Jessehk · Jan 28th, 2006, 8:53 PM

During the summer, I potentially have a job managing a non-misson critical server for a small company. I would be payed close to minimum wage, and the employer realises I am in grade 10.

The thing is, I have very little knowledge of Apache, and the general workings of servers in general. The employer does realise this, however, so I would be given time to research and learn. Because I would have a few months to learn, can anyone recommend resources (preferably books) to running a webserver on linux? Maybe a ground-up type guide? I realize that there are online tutorials, but they are often incomplete, and lacking for information.

I don't want a job I don't feel I have the expertise for, and I definitly wouldn't take it if I felt that I didn't have the knowledge to perform the task properly. In short, I'm insecure about my abilities. Any advice or resources would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

niteice · Jan 28th, 2006, 9:01 PM

O'Reilly probably publishes something on that topic...I think the best way to learn is through experience, see if you can get a spare box to install a distro of Linux on with Apache and see how much you learn by setting it all up.

a thing · Jan 28th, 2006, 10:10 PM

Starting your own Apache server and maintaining it should be good.

Infinite Recursion · Jan 30th, 2006, 8:13 AM

I agree with these guys, run linux, apache, mysql at home.

A good place to learn is http://httpd.apache.org/docs/.

Also, get involved with the linux console if you are not familiar with commands and such.

MBirchmeier · Jan 30th, 2006, 8:47 AM

Additionally once you get set up and used to running the server yourself maybe give friends some user level access on the server. Maybe someone who wants to run their own webpage or whatnot. (For resolution of IP addresses from home look at http://www.no-ip.com )

One thing I've found is you'll do things that will seem 'normal', friends and others will do things that will make you ask 'Why the hell would you do that?' and you'll get better practice at finding and solving issues for 'abnormal operation' and find problems that you didn't necessairly cause.

-MBirchmeier

Note: IMO it's better to feel insecure about your abilities than overconfident, it keeps you learning. Additionally when running your own server don't worry too much if you don't know everything. One of the most important parts of my job is knowing where to go to get questions answered (both in person and online). It's much better to do things right, then to do things right away.

Pizentios · Jan 30th, 2006, 9:18 AM

Oreilly makes a good book about apache, i think it's called "Oreilly's definitive guide to apache" or something like that.

the link that IR posted is also very good since it is made by the people that code apache.

Dizzutch · Jan 30th, 2006, 9:18 AM

1) take the machine you're one right now
2) download the distrobution of linux that that server is running
3) install said distrobution on the box you're on right now
4) install apache on it
5) start practicing
6) post IP here to test security (j/k, don't do that)

best way to learn linux is to practice by using it.

Jessehk · Jan 30th, 2006, 8:45 PM

Thanks for the help everyone. If it does go through, it would be up to me to install linux, and set up the server.

It is really not-critical. It would only be used to host common files.
I'll continue to research, as I think this is a good skill to have regardless if the job goes through or not, but I'm looking at Debian right now.

Mocker · Jan 30th, 2006, 10:11 PM

Read up on httpd.conf .. then read some more. Seriously, its like where everything is setup for apache.

Indigno · Jan 31st, 2006, 8:37 AM

Just go to barnes an noble. They have more books on that subject than yuo can count.

Jan 28th, 2006, 8:53 PM	#1
Jessehk The Oblivious One Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 644 Rep Power: 4	Asked to (potentially) manage a server on linux -- recommended resources? During the summer, I potentially have a job managing a non-misson critical server for a small company. I would be payed close to minimum wage, and the employer realises I am in grade 10. The thing is, I have very little knowledge of Apache, and the general workings of servers in general. The employer does realise this, however, so I would be given time to research and learn. Because I would have a few months to learn, can anyone recommend resources (preferably books) to running a webserver on linux? Maybe a ground-up type guide? I realize that there are online tutorials, but they are often incomplete, and lacking for information. I don't want a job I don't feel I have the expertise for, and I definitly wouldn't take it if I felt that I didn't have the knowledge to perform the task properly. In short, I'm insecure about my abilities. Any advice or resources would be greatly appreciated. Thanks __________________ Dr. Zoidberg: [ecstatic] I'm going to a movie... with FRIENDS!

Jan 28th, 2006, 10:10 PM	#3
a thing Unverified User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: none Posts: 146 Rep Power: 0	Starting your own Apache server and maintaining it should be good. __________________ Warning: My posts may change (dramatically) within the first 15 minutes they're posted. Got 'Nux?�GNU/Linux and other free software support. It's GNU/Linux, not just Linux.

Jan 30th, 2006, 8:13 AM	#4
Infinite Recursion Programming Guru Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: United States Posts: 3,467 Rep Power: 8	I agree with these guys, run linux, apache, mysql at home. A good place to learn is http://httpd.apache.org/docs/. Also, get involved with the linux console if you are not familiar with commands and such. __________________ http://jasonpowers.net "There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root."

Jan 30th, 2006, 9:18 AM	#6
Pizentios Programming Guru Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brandon, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 2,023 Rep Power: 7	Oreilly makes a good book about apache, i think it's called "Oreilly's definitive guide to apache" or something like that. the link that IR posted is also very good since it is made by the people that code apache. __________________ Profanity is the one language that all programmers understand. Check out my Blog <---updated Nov 30 2007!

Jan 30th, 2006, 9:18 AM	#7
Dizzutch Professional Programmer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 441 Rep Power: 4	1) take the machine you're one right now 2) download the distrobution of linux that that server is running 3) install said distrobution on the box you're on right now 4) install apache on it 5) start practicing 6) post IP here to test security (j/k, don't do that) best way to learn linux is to practice by using it. __________________ naked pictures of you \| PFO F@H stats

Jan 28th, 2006, 9:01 PM	#2
niteice Programmer Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 98 Rep Power: 4	O'Reilly probably publishes something on that topic...I think the best way to learn is through experience, see if you can get a spare box to install a distro of Linux on with Apache and see how much you learn by setting it all up.

Jan 30th, 2006, 8:47 AM	#5
MBirchmeier Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 211 Rep Power: 3	Additionally once you get set up and used to running the server yourself maybe give friends some user level access on the server. Maybe someone who wants to run their own webpage or whatnot. (For resolution of IP addresses from home look at http://www.no-ip.com ) One thing I've found is you'll do things that will seem 'normal', friends and others will do things that will make you ask 'Why the hell would you do that?' and you'll get better practice at finding and solving issues for 'abnormal operation' and find problems that you didn't necessairly cause. -MBirchmeier Note: IMO it's better to feel insecure about your abilities than overconfident, it keeps you learning. Additionally when running your own server don't worry too much if you don't know everything. One of the most important parts of my job is knowing where to go to get questions answered (both in person and online). It's much better to do things right, then to do things right away.

Jan 30th, 2006, 8:45 PM	#8
Jessehk The Oblivious One Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 644 Rep Power: 4	Thanks for the help everyone. If it does go through, it would be up to me to install linux, and set up the server. It is really not-critical. It would only be used to host common files. I'll continue to research, as I think this is a good skill to have regardless if the job goes through or not, but I'm looking at Debian right now. __________________ Dr. Zoidberg: [ecstatic] I'm going to a movie... with FRIENDS!

Jan 30th, 2006, 10:11 PM	#9
Mocker Hobbyist Programmer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 217 Rep Power: 0	Read up on httpd.conf .. then read some more. Seriously, its like where everything is setup for apache. __________________ #programmingforums relay - http://thegupstudio.com/cgi-bin/pforelay.cgi freelance scripts - http://ryanguthrie.com/index.html

Jan 31st, 2006, 8:37 AM	#10
Indigno Professional Programmer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Anywhere non-productive Posts: 267 Rep Power: 0	Just go to barnes an noble. They have more books on that subject than yuo can count.

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Programming Forums > Community Forums > Coder's Corner Lounge

Asked to (potentially) manage a server on linux -- recommended resources?