Test Web Server

[ianrc2000]

Ladies & Gentlemen, I am new to this forum and I would like to pick your collective knowledge base if possible.
I have a spare Pentium II machine and I would like to create a test web server so that I can test server side scripts without uploading to the net, any suggestions

[moltar]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld, ianrc2000!

Get a linux distribution (download or buy). I suggest you get the same one you have on your production server, but this is not necessary.

Install it. The size of the installation depends on the packages you choose to install. If you don't need any of the GUI stuff, you can easily fit it into 1GB partition.

During the installation you can choose which servers to install. The least you should install is Telnet/SSH, Apache, and MySQL.

That's about it. If you have any specific questions, let us know.

[BillyS]

Get a linux distribution (download or buy).

Make sure your hardware is compatible with the distribution or else you'll have a distro that you'll troubleshoot for months. Check the HCL for the distro to see if your close. Else you find out that your CD writer doesn't work.

My suggestion would be this. If the machine has windoze on it already, start with one of the all in one packages such as XAMPP. If you just want a test server...

If you want to learn to operate a server, go for Linux. Just be prepared for long learning experience. I've done it both ways (so anything's possible).

[ianrc2000]

Folks,
What can I say, Thanx for the rapid responce.

I will consider all your comments

[moltar]

If the machine has windoze on it already, start with one of the all in one packages such as XAMPP.

True that. I am running all the test servers on the same machine I develop on. Windows XP w/ Apache, MySQL and Perl. It's way easier this way, because I don't have to upload the files anywhere - just press Ctrl+S (Save), Alt+TAB (switch to the browser), F5 (refresh).

[mack]

I wrote a thread a little while back called setting up a home test server [webmasterworld.com] that may be of some use to you.

Mack.

[ianrc2000]

Mack,

Thank you, superb thread, you have all been so helpful, again, thanx