Web server

I dont understand what you are asking?

tampasteve said:

Out of the different machine options, which would be the best for this application.

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Ah, if you have space then id say the one with the best specifications and hard drive slots.
Either the Xserve or the Powermac, id say Xserve.

tampasteve said:

I am starting a new project to make a web server. I am just starting my research, so forgive me if I seem novice - I am.

I would like to make a web server for a wordpress website. My options for the host machine are:

Dual 2.0 G5 Xserve running 10.5.8
Dual 2.0 G5 PowerMac running 10.5.8
Mac Mini G4 running 10.5.8 or 10.4.11
Mac Mini Intel Core Solo running 10.5.8 or 10.6.8


I can change the OS to be a OSX server edition if there is a reason, but from what I have read there is really no reason for this application. The machine will be in an office rack, so noise and power consumption are not really an issue (though, power consumption is worth thinking of).

I am comfortable working on any of these, so parts and troubleshooting are not really a concern. Eventually it may be used as a mail server too, but first I want to get the website done and stable.

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I would go with one of the G5s. When Gavin Stubbs gets on he can tell you all about this in depth.

With about $10-$20 the Intell Mino would be the best option.

tampasteve said:

I do love the Xserve Macs and have been looking for a reason to use them.

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If you have the space and like the option of having swappable PSU's then the xserve is a cool Mac. It will use a lot more power and generate a TON more noise than a Mini

tampasteve said:

Would that $10-$20 go to upgrading Core Solo to a CD/C2D or am I misunderstanding?

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http://www.minnowboard.org/

tampasteve said:

I do love the Xserve Macs and have been looking for a reason to use them.

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Yeah, the only disadvantage would be lack of software. 10.6.8 can run pretty much any modern application.

tampasteve said:

Would that $10-$20 go to upgrading Core Solo to a CD/C2D or am I misunderstanding?

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Yes, get an Intell T7200 Core2Duo that runs at 2Ghz from eBay and put it into your Mini. It'll be much better than the G5s for web server purposes. Possibly more powerful as well.

I would upgrade the mini to a Core 2 Duo (which shouldn't be no more than $20 at the max) if anything you require needs a newer version of OS X (if SL/Lion really provides anything different from Leopard in terms of web hosting).

I've tried running a rack server (dual processor dual core AMD 2u) and it made too much heat and during the summer my room temps would be 90*F plus! A G5 would use too much heat as well and what I need it to do wouldn't work out well, and ultimately I have a iMac with a core duo that works fine with Windows in virtualbox for the PPC Archive server. Windows is needed otherwise I would be using a 466MHz Digital Audio.

Now for just a web/mail server anything will work. In that case I would go all out Xserve. It'll be your most reliable machine and with the air it moves there shouldn't be any issues and even with a lot of stress it'll be able to push through.

Tiger.

It's the only way.

Don't use Tiger to host a publicly accessible website using the built Apache server. It is very out of date and a big security flaw. Leopard's Apache is at least an Apache 2.2 branch. I think it's 2.2.6, maybe something newer.

Snow Leopard is more secure than Leopard by a few years. The Mini would be much quieter and use much less energy. Once upgraded with a Core2Duo, that Mini can even run Lion without a problem.

Go with the Mini.

I'd vote Mini with dual-core upgrade, running an up-to-date Linux for anything public internet-facing. Don't run an out-of-date OS as an internet-facing server. That's just asking for trouble.

tampasteve said:

Core2Duo processor is on its way from Ebay. Should be a fun upgrade to do.

I might put a new HDD or SSD in while I am in there. Any recommendations on less expensive SSDs? It does not need to be huge as the application does not need a ton of storage, and any additional storage I need I can always use an external drive.

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Samsung 840 Evo is fantastic in the budget range. It isn't as cheap as say some of the SSDs out there but there is great performance and warranty backing their drives.