newbie admining a server, recipe for disaster?

[AffiliateDreamer]

Hi,

I've always been a windows guy, but I am getting the itch to delve into unix (php/mysql sites).

If I was to get a dedicated server to play around with, being a newbie and all, is that a recipe for disaster? i.e. hackers will have a field day with me?

Windows generally speaking is pretty much hands free, even installing the patches now is automatic.

Is unix locked down from a default install that a ISP gives you or is their allot of tweaking to do? (I just want to use it as a web server, using php/mysql).

[jdMorgan]

I'd suggest getting a 'managed' server while you develop your admin skills. Security especially is a tough thing to handle -- Might be worth several college credit-hours just to get up to speed on it.

As for 'locked-down,' that depends on the host -- and how would you know? If you got hacked right away, you'd know it wasn't locked down. But if you didn't get hacked right away, it might be because the server's locked down well, or you might just be lucky.

Jim

[edited by: jdMorgan at 5:29 am (utc) on Jan. 5, 2008]

[AffiliateDreamer]

if you have a CP, setting up domains I guess is very straight forward.

On a month-to-month basis, are you guys actually doing much admin'ing or its all cruise control once a server is setup?