linux test server for apache

[raniweb]

Hello,
I am trying to install Red Hat Linux ES on a computer to be a test server for apache, php and mysql. I'm not sure what I should be setting my network settings to. Static IP? DHCP?(I know we have DHCP enabled on the network) Hostname? (should I leave hostname blank for localhost to be the hostname?) I'm not sure about the firewall either. I need it to operate like it would as if were our main web server but not screw anything up on the network. If you can't already tell I'm new to linux. Any help would be very much appreciated.

 

[lgarner]

No firewall. Hostname is whatever you want; "localhost" always resolves to 127.0.0.1. Pick something for users to type in their browsers and that you'll be putting out in DNS.

Network settings can be either for testing, I'd suggest static to make life much simpler.

As long as the IP address isn't duplicated it won't screw anything up.

 

[raniweb]

I went ahead and left it at DHCP since it was default and I figured that I can change it later if need be. Can I just ask for my own learning why "no firewall"?

 

[ericbrunson]

Too much possibility for confusion and the firewall masking errors or creating problems, especially if you are a beginner. Get the machine working, then lock it down with a firewall.

 

[raniweb]

That you all for all your help. I have another question about the video card. Red Hat has pre-selected a GeForce2 MX card with 64 MB of ram on it. This is almost correct except the one in my system is a GeForce4 MX with 64 MB of ram. I do not have a GeForce4 option and the closest is the GeForce2. Will that work? Or do I need to download drivers for the GeForce4 later? Thank you again!

 

[ericbrunson]

You would have to get the drivers from NVidia's website.