[karasu]

I found some tutorials here (specifically these:
This one
This one
and This one)

Here are my questions:

I was told there's no need to install a GUI like KDE if my install is going to be a server- but I'm not quite comfortable yet at just looking at a buch of stuff in shell. Would it be wise to (and how?) install an extremly minimal version of KDE or Gnome, just so I can actually -see- what I'm doing?

My network gets configured with DHCP, and in the first tutorial, it talks about using a static IP. Now, I am a complete n00b at a lot of this- do you just randomly make up an IP address out of the sky? I'm not sure how that works...

(By the by- I also need to install ndiswrapper to connect to the 'net- I have a Linksys WUSB54G... is that going to be a problem or change anything? Also, any good tutorials on how to do this?)

Then with the apache, php, and mysql GUIs- it would probably be easier for me if I installed them, but I need KDE or Gnome for them to work, correct?

I also want a browser, specifically Firefox. Again, I need KDE or Gnome for that, right?

Okay, so after all that, I want to install the eAthena game server. I found an install tutorial on their wiki.

I appreciate any and all help, especially since these are such n00b questions. Thanks all~

[Amadeus]

KDE and GNOME are just two of the desktops available for linux systems. While there is no real need to install them for a server, there is certainly no harm. you may simply wish to install something like Knoppix or Ubuntu (or whatever your own favourite distro is), and set that up as a server...they have a lot of that built in.

[karasu]

I think I'm gonna use Debian... Debian does have server stuff built in, but I've heard it's better to do everything manually... is this correct, or does it not make a difference (as it appears to me)?

New question: how should I configure the network after I set debian up, since I have to use ndiswrapper for one, and secondly, my IP is constantly changing...?

This is what I want on my server exactly, if this helps with the problem at all- a PHPbb forum, obviously web pages, but nothing fancier than PHP, and then an eAthena server.

Do I need a desktop GUI to view things like PHPMyAdmin, and to use a browser such as Firefox?

Again, thatnks for the help.

[Amadeus]

Knoppix and Ubuntu distros ARE debian based...debian is the core. As for setting it up manually being better, it depends on what you mean by better. If you mean you'll have a deeper understanding of what each of the settings and implementations mean, then yes, it may be better.

As to the question of your IP constantly changing, are you going to be setting up a local computer as a server, then serving off your ISP's connection?

A desktop GUI is merely that...a graphical interface for desktop activities. Firefox has it's own GUI, as does PHPMyAdmin. You can run them from the command line, but if they require any graphics libraries, you'll likely need those (Nova can probably comment with more authority than I).

[karasu]

Quote

As to the question of your IP constantly changing, are you going to be setting up a local computer as a server, then serving off your ISP's connection?

That sounds about right, unless there's a better way to do it...

Quote

Knoppix and Ubuntu distros ARE debian based

...so they are... Perhaps I'll look into those then... would you recommend one over the other? I know Knoppix is a Live CD, and that it's possible to install it, but that's about all I know about 'em.

If I'll have a better understanding of what's going on if I install LAMp manually, I think I'll take that route. Even though I may not understand it all at first glance, I still like to know what's going on "under the hood".

[Nova Dragoon]

Unless you really know what you are doing with networking, routing and firewalling , I wouldn't host a server off of DSL space, I know those address spaces get hit alot by sploits, and bruteforce attacks.

[karasu]

Actually I have cable

Anyway, I think I would still like to try making a server.

*Edit*

I found some tutorials, and I'm getting Kubuntu set up as a server... hopefully... anyhows, for configuring the network stuff... I think I'll try NoIP. I'll post again if something comes up.

This post has been edited by karasu: 15 April 2006 - 10:58 PM

[karasu]

Okay, so I have LAMP and stuff all set up... now how do I connect to my server? (Sorry for being such a n00b ><

Firstly, I'm on a router: a Linksys Wireless G, to be exact. Secondly: I have McAfee Firewall on this compie (My windows computer) if that has anything to do with anything.

Like I said before, my IP is always changing- is there a way to bind it? If not, would NoIP work (I'm still a little foggy on exactly what it is...)?

Thanks all,
K-kun