What are the Best Linux Operating System for Web Servers?

So you need to setup a web server running Linux, with so many options
(and mostly free) to choose from, it's easy to get excited about.
However, if you are new to Linux and do not know much about the
popular distribution, the process can be a headache. Worse, you can
choose the maldistribution of your needs. This article describes in
detail the characteristics of the major Linux distributions, in an
effort to find the most suitable for you and your dedicated server.

Ubuntu: Linux distributions most common customizable sound
capabilities make it a favorite operating system based business. It is
widely supported and because of its popularity, has an impressive
amount of pre-compiled packages and modules that would make any
giddiness server specialist. The operating system was based on the
fact that nobody should have to pay for a quality operating system,
and that still holds true today. With its recent release of Ubuntu
Unity, usability is even easier. Ubuntu is ideal for those who are new
to Linux and those who do not want to pay for it.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux: The big guns of the Linux community. Red Hat
Enterprise Linux is ultra flexible and remarkably stable. It is
relatively expensive compared to the other major Linux distribution,
but more than makes up for the price tag through its network of
professional support and overall quality. It is an excellent solution
for companies to companies that are willing to pay for the most
reliable option in the market. Again, you do not need to pay a
subscription to Red Hat Enterprise Linux. If you want something
similar, but do not want to pay, you can opt for ....

CentOS: CentOS standards for business operating system. Easily one of
the leaders of the most popular Linux distribution, CentOS is modeled
on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, but it offers absolutely free. Because of
its price does not exist, CentOS is still a few months after Red Hat
Enterprise Linux, so for those who need to update the operating system
the latest is not for you. It does not come with the professional
support system, but these problems will be glad to know that CentOS is
a strong community support that serves decent support. Overall, a
solid alternative and cheaper RHEL.

FreeBSD: Developed on a UNIX operating system, FreeBSD is probably the
operating system the most advanced on the market. It offers state of
the art networking, performance, security and compatibility which is
imitated, but not accompanied by other. Companies looking for a solid
network infrastructure with the highest levels of performance should
look like FreeBSD. FreeBSD users as its absolute compatibility with
operating systems Linux and others. Overall, an excellent choice.

Debian: Recently crowned the best Linux distribution for the year
2011, Debian is making a name for itself as the global leader in
operating systems Linux and free non-commercial. A few years ago you
might think that Ubuntu has fulfilled this role, but Debian has made
headlines recently. It includes the GNU operating system and the Linux
kernel tools, making it one of the Linux distributions are more
influential than others resemble a model for themselves. It also has
one of the largest library of pre-built packages for system management
simple and effective. Another great Linux distribution that has the
potential to stimulate competition in the years to come if they play
their cards right.

While the distribution should you choose among them? If you are
looking for an ultra-compatible Linux distribution with the community
wide support and no price tag, go for Ubuntu or Debian. If you want
the best quality professional network support and money to spend on
your operating system, the best option is to Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
If you are a maniac who wants the best performance distribution, look
no further than CentOS or FreeBSD.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to personal preference. Even
if a Linux distribution fits all your needs, you may find that you do
not like it for any reason. Play around and explore all the major
distributions, because they all have something unique to offer. This
is the perfect time to own a Linux dedicated server to take advantage
of the opportunity to shop and find the best solution for you.

How to Install a Ubuntu Dedicated Server

In this tutorial you will be installing a dedicated web server for free. There are several reasons why a web server will be useful, including a test platform for websites and host them later. It will take about one to two hours and should be easy enough for beginners to complete. To summarize, we will install the operating system Ubuntu server due to its friendly interface and easy to administer. This is a good choice for those just entering the Linux community. A LAMP stack installed later, consisting of Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP. The Apache web server is gone today. Finally, we will install a firewall on the server, to prevent intruders from changing your hard work.

Firstly, you must purchase a copy of Ubuntu Server on a blank CD or a kind of portable device. Go to the Ubuntu website and click on the download link in the left menu and choose Edit Server. Burn the iso. In a blank CD. If you do not have an ISO burner, there are several reliable and free programs on the internet that you can find easily. Then install Ubuntu Server on your computer, server, or if you have one. Booting from the CD, and the installation of Ubuntu will start automatically. Select "Install Ubuntu Server" and follow the instructions to complete the installation. As a quick note, make sure to label all its variables, such as host name, correctly and clearly so that you can refer to them later.

Once Ubuntu is installed, it must be converted to a Web server. Installing applications in Ubuntu is different from the typical form, but still relatively simple. We need to implement a web server Apache, the database server MySQL database and PHP as server side language. To install these three entities in Ubuntu, go to Package Manager and enter the following command: sudo aptitude install mysql-server apache2 php5-mysql libapache2-mod-php5. Press Enter and Ubuntu will automatically download and install the programs listed in the order. If you lack the necessary requirements, Ubuntu automatically installs them for you too.

Once all the equipment is in place, you should check if the Web server is running. Find IP of your server by typing ifconfig | grep inet on the command line. Locate the first IP address in the list and copy down. Go to your web browser and enter the IP address. If you get a response that says "It works!", Then you have successfully installed your own web server. Do not put the champagne yet, however, you must install the firewall.

We want to install a firewall command line to protect our server. Shorewall is a reliable standard command line firewall. Install with the command: sudo aptitude install shorewall. Once installed, we need to set permissions. Block all connections and HTTP port and the SSH port by opening rules: sudo nano / etc / shorewall / rules. Add these lines, where it says # LAST LINE: HTTP / ACCEPT net $ FW. SSH / ACCEPT net $ FW. Then press Ctrl-S and Ctrl-x. The firewall has been optimized to allow only incoming SSH HTTP traffic. Congratulations, you now have your own dedicated server and website free.

image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrmuskrat/