How do I learn more about webhosting?

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legend986
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Joined: Sun Jul 15, 2007 2:45 pm

How do I learn more about webhosting?

Post by legend986 »

Hi,

I have been into web programming for quite sometime and am interested in learning more about technical issues concerning web hosting like how one sets up VPS, Shared hosting etc. How are distributed databases implemented practically. How does one achieve load balancing etc.. I don't know which books to search (because I am not aware of what to look for in the first place... tried looking for being a webmaster but didn't find anything useful) for so am hoping that someone could point me in the right direction.
alex.barylski
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Re: How do I learn more about webhosting?

Post by alex.barylski »

Buy books on Linux administration. Ask questions in the Linux forum here.

Start off simple with maybe getting Apache configured and running on a Windows box, then add PHP, the MySQL. When your comfortable with those, switch to Linux and learn the CLI and Linux basics.
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legend986
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Re: How do I learn more about webhosting?

Post by legend986 »

Thank you so much for the information. Exactly what I wanted... Just a small question. When I search for some linux related books, it shows be Redhat Linux Administration, Ubuntu Server Administration etc. So does it matter which distribution I study about? Sorry about the question though, could be a lame one.

Edit: I will ask a question in the Linux forum just to keep things clean. Thanks...
alex.barylski
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Re: How do I learn more about webhosting?

Post by alex.barylski »

It matters a little I guess...some distro's are better suited for certain functions...

Ubuntu is clearly a user friendly desktop, which is based on Debian.

I use Debian for strictly web application hosting, no GUI. I love apt.

I tried Red Hat and although it's probably best if you plan on making money (commercially it's probably most popular) I started on Red Hat and gave up.

I tried tinkering around with Gentoo and although I liked portage, you have to compile everything (from what I remember). Good experience but meh.

Debian is entirely open sourced, well supported and well understood and well documented. When you master the command line, switching over to Ubuntu for a Windows replacement would be a lot easier.

ALl of them work on the same principles of Linux administration, which is the real hard part...the caveats between each distro just makes for lots of confusion when you first start, cause when you ask questions, like how do I install this program or configure this option, depending on the exeprience the reply-er(??) has they may give you a command only valid in RedHat or Debian, etc.

The biggest PITA is when you search Google for something, find the article, follow the article, only to discover the file isn't where the article said it should be, because distros' store some files in wonky places.

I say Debian, it's what I use and whenever I've had a question I usually get help from a select few who are always on here. If you use some esoteric distro, you might not find help in generic forums like this.
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legend986
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Re: How do I learn more about webhosting?

Post by legend986 »

Thats it! Thank you so much for your guidance. :) Will take off with Debian then...
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