Server administration?

[Kuroshima]

So anyone know where I should start?
First I guess I better decide exactly what kind of server I would liketo administer
which os as well.
Are certifications a good idea?
Any recommendation on some languages I should know?

I have a lot of time I would like to learn.
Information as well as experiences would be helpful.
Thanks

[Fak3d]

Well yes it depends on what os you will be using for the server
though really if you are working for a company you should know
all the server os's. You probably want something like Linux+
Server+ MCSE and Network+ wouldn't hurt You want a in depth
knowledge of Linux and UNIX operating systems as well as windows
servers and depending on what you are administering be it a web server
or a corporate server you will need to know active directory or Apache
mysql php and there is a ton of other stuff. Also the reason i recommended
a networking cert as well is because of the fact that you may need to set up
a dhcp server or something to that effect or know how to address your
servers with a static ip  it will also let you know how to spot problems.

As for languages im assuming programing languages you mean and i cant
really comment on that one other then that if you are administrating a web
server you should know basic html and php.  The more you know can never
hurt you.

Oh i forgot you may also want knowledge about server hardware as well.
 

[Kuroshima]

 thanks for the response! I'm not really looking into corporate work just yet. I'm hoping I can learn something useful for knowledge and for fun ^_^

yeah for the languages I was thinking a scripting language would be very useful...

Other than that, I'm unsure where to start.... I guess with Linux.... So any recommendations on a specific os for a web and email server? Also, what is apache and tomcat? I've been wondering about that... I would like to look it up when I get home.
And is mysql a database server thingy...? I think that is what I remember about it... I can't say I have a lot of experience in networking or anything. I understand the basics

[ilk3000]

I use a LAMP setup with WHM, Virtuozzo, and cPanel.

[Fak3d]

I use a LAMP setup with WHM, Virtuozzo, and cPanel.

I don't think that hes ready for whm and cpanel yet   i think its best he learn how to first use Apache and how to create your virtual hosts first (my opinion)

Anyhow onto answering more questions for you   okay so Apache is a http server program you can learn more about it here http://httpd.apache.org/
os I like is Linux for hosting and distrobution wise i like Debian personally though some people would yell at me for that lol. Really its up to personal preference
i enjoy the fact that Debian has apt-get in it so if i where to want to install say proftpd i could just say apt-get install proftpd. Also with regards to linux servers
i never install a gui just use straight command line. Putty and ssh are your biggest friend. Also you may want to read http://www.howtoforge.org/perfect-server-debian-lenny-ispconfig3 as it will help you though not everything would you want to use. The other thing is you are going to want to decide how you are going to do things.
In theory you could use a spare pc and slap Debian or Redhat on it and play around with it. The other thing you can do is rent a dedicated server and learn using this
although most dedicated servers they will set everything up for you on the start.

As for mysql you are right it is a database server and understanding the basics of networking especially ports and how to assign static ip addresses as you don't want your
web server changing addresses on you as it will become unreachable.

Now the thing is this all gets easier once you add whm and cpanel into the mix as it automates stuff for you or if you add ispconfig or some other control panel
the problem with control panels though and automating stuff is that if it breaks you always want to know how to fix it manually because stuff can go wrong.

Well i looked at this and realized noware i talked about virtual hosts X_X a virtual host is a way to have multiple sites on 1 server you will want to look at this link
to help you as i suck at explaining virtual hosts. http://onlamp.com/pub/a/apache/2003/07/24/vhosts.html

[Kuroshima]

Thanks a lot for the info! I have a rough idea on how to start now
luckily for me I have a spare pc now
I'm familiar with many different dekstop edition of various linux distros (not as proficient as I would like to be though).
What is the difference between apt-get and aptitude? As far as I know they both install programs and share the same source.list =\ just a different way?

I have a rough understanding of ports andsetting dynamic ip/static ip. I had an FTP server setup for a while (filezilla, really easy to use). The only problem was my ISP provides me with dynamic ip addresses so the FTP thingy wasn't that cool. I'm assuming I would have to apply for a static ip from my ISP.

And putty is for windows right? I recall using it to ssh to my iPhone when I was using windows... Otherwise I'm on Linux...


Really, thanks for all the help. I'll be sure to check out the links. Need to sleep ~.~ have school tomorrow T_T

[Fak3d]

yah putty is so you can ssh into a linux box although it has other features as well.
as for a static ip it its a real smart idea but some isp will only give you one if you
have a business account. apt-get just grabs the packages from a repository from
the internet, i think its pretty much the same as aptitude though never got into much
detail about it and never bothered to learn. A desktop pc is okay for experimenting
but if you want to do any real hosting you are gonna want a real server and probably
would want it in a data center on a 100 mbit line going both ways also the data center
would have generators and such for backup power and more then 1 connection for redundancy.
Also keep in mind some home isp don't allow you to have a server on them so you should read
the terms of service your isp gave you over just so you don't get your account disconnected.
If you are currently using Linux as you desktop you will want to ssh through your command line interface.
I personally use the Debian net install iso and burn it to cd whenever im installing a server and grab
all the packages off the net. In realistic terms you would not want your server behind a linksys or d-link
router but the data center would have a juniper router or some other high grade router along with a block
of ip addresses they would be assigned that are public but this is more getting into data center stuff.

[wolkec]

I use a LAMP setup with WHM, Virtuozzo, and cPanel.

I don't think that hes ready for whm and cpanel yet   i think its best he learn how to first use Apache and how to create your virtual hosts first (my opinion)

Anyhow onto answering more questions for you   okay so Apache is a http server program you can learn more about it here http://httpd.apache.org/
os I like is Linux for hosting and distrobution wise i like Debian personally though some people would yell at me for that lol. Really its up to personal preference
i enjoy the fact that Debian has apt-get in it so if i where to want to install say proftpd i could just say apt-get install proftpd. Also with regards to linux servers
i never install a gui just use straight command line. Putty and ssh are your biggest friend. Also you may want to read http://www.howtoforge.org/perfect-server-debian-lenny-ispconfig3 as it will help you though not everything would you want to use. The other thing is you are going to want to decide how you are going to do things.
In theory you could use a spare pc and slap Debian or Redhat on it and play around with it. The other thing you can do is rent a dedicated server and learn using this
although most dedicated servers they will set everything up for you on the start.

As for mysql you are right it is a database server and understanding the basics of networking especially ports and how to assign static ip addresses as you don't want your
web server changing addresses on you as it will become unreachable.

Now the thing is this all gets easier once you add whm and cpanel into the mix as it automates stuff for you or if you add ispconfig or some other control panel
the problem with control panels though and automating stuff is that if it breaks you always want to know how to fix it manually because stuff can go wrong.

Well i looked at this and realized noware i talked about virtual hosts X_X a virtual host is a way to have multiple sites on 1 server you will want to look at this link
to help you as i suck at explaining virtual hosts. http://onlamp.com/pub/a/apache/2003/07/24/vhosts.html

cpanel is easy to handle nowdays

[Fak3d]

cpanel is easy to handle nowdays

I don't disagree i just think that is is best to know how your server works instead of relying on a control panel and know what it is doing.
Besides not every server is running cpanel.

[Xiong Chiamiov]

cpanel is easy to handle nowdays

I don't disagree i just think that is is best to know how your server works instead of relying on a control panel and know what it is doing.
Besides not every server is running cpanel.

Mine damn sure aren't.

OP: Learn how to use a standard GUI-riffic desktop Linux distro first; trying to go straight into proper sysadminning is going to be nearly impossible.  In other words, install Ubuntu and learn how to fix it when it breaks due to their shitty packaging, and you'll eventually be ready to move on.

EDIT: Oh, and one more hint:

(click to show/hide)

[Kuroshima]

Haha that would be relevant if I had to shave . Maybe soon.
Yeah... Ubuntu package updater.... Do they TRY to break things? :p

yup need to learn the filesystem better.

Thanks for the info