Geekinetic May / June Project: An Ubuntu Based Web Server

C.S. Magor — Sat, 10 May 2008 22:05:58 -0700

I have mentioned my desire to set up my own web server a number of times in the past, now I am going to make good on my plans and actually do something about it. The web server will be a cheap build that I created from some budget parts.

The specifications are as follows:

MicroATX motherboard
Intel P4 3.0 GHz Processor
1GB of DDR2 800
40GB HDD
DVD-Multi drive

It is a lightweight system, but it should have all the grunt that it needs to handle Ubuntu and the applications that I need for the task. This is going to be more of a communications device than a computer. The objectives that it needs to accomplish are the following:

Host a website using Apache.
Run a POP mail server
Run Skype and other messenging clients
Run custom-built XML parsing software
Be remotely accessible
Have a low energy footprint

P4 chips are not exactly energy-efficient, but they are cheap and by opting for onboard graphics as opposed to a discreet card it keeps the footprint down a little. If it all works out, I will likely be doing a rebuild with some more robust components. Fingers crossed, because as soon as my monitor is repaired, I am going to be devoting my weekends to getting this thing working.

Apache

Geekinetic May / June Project: An Ubuntu Based Web Server