Comments on The David Lawrence Show [Archive]

Andy

2003-09-18, 23:14 PM

I am outgrowing my current hosting company (ItsaMac) I need more of everything. Since I usually listen to Richard Yoo every Monday on The David Lawrence Show Server Beach was at the top of my list to replace my current hosting company. But a few weeks ago Mr. Yoo mentioned “problem” clients that needed more support than is offered at Server Beach. I have to ask a stupid question now. What do I need to know to be able to administer a server? I’ve been using a Mac since the late 80s. I haven’t touched a Windows box in over ten years and I have never used Linux. Is there a book that someone could recommend to get up to speed on Red Hat, or some other guide that I might look into? A n00b question I know but I gotta start somewhere.

2003-09-18, 23:37 PM

You definitely want to consider what your hosting needs will be before you make any decisions. Do your web sites have any OS specific code, like ASP? Do they use a database backend that only runs on a specific OS? You don't want to choose a Linux server if you've got a ton of ASP pages that need MSSQL to work, and you don't want to get stuck with a Windows server if you have PHP/Perl code that needs postgresql or mysql. These are just a couple examples of something you need to watch out for, you probably need to do a full audit of everything you do or might want to do befofe you pick the OS.

If you've been keeping up with MacOS and have experience with MacOS X, it might not be that much of a leap into server administration. You may want to start exploring your system using the command line to get a feel for the Linux shell (if you're using MacOS X that is). If you have been a strict MacOS 7/8/9 GUI user, you might want to try out a Windows server. One advantage of going with a Linux server is that you can pick up a junk PC real cheap then throw a free copy of Linux on it and start playing. You could even set up a server that is nearly identical to a SB server in your own home! I suppose you can set up a Windows server at home too, but the hardware requirements and license fees are *much* higher than what a Linux server would require.

Regardless of which OS you go with, the best way to learn is by doing. I've seen people spend hundreds of dollars on howto books, guides, bibles, etc. for an OS and still not know the first thing about actually running a machine with said OS. Install it, configure it, break it, fix it .. Windows or Linux, you'll be able to figure anything out. Don't be afraid to try things, even if they may break something. No one ever learned anything by having a system that worked perfectly 100% of the time. As for book recommendations, it all depends on skill level. The "Dummies" series isn't bad for beginners (and they have cool comics ;)) and O'Reilly has a ton of books for beginner to advanced users on dozens of topics. Both are a good place to start.

The "problem clients" that the BigKahuna alluded to are probably the clients who think that since Richard Yoo (a founder of Rackspace) started ServerBeach, they should get the same level of support. Bzzt. ServerBeach is "unmanaged" and Rackspace is "managed" .. there is a world of difference between these two companies. I don't think there is any company who can offer the level of support you'd get at Rackspace at the same price as ServerBeach. If you keep your expectations reasonable (and the sales staff has nooo problem setting them for you ;)) and don't expect the world for $99/mo, you should be fine. Oh, and you definitely need to be willing to learn. :)