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I'm looking to get a cheap (low end) server to serve web pages (xHTML/PHP), but I also need to be able to set up PostGreSQL on the system too. Ideally the server would have low power consumption, run Linux (I prefer Mac OS X but a Mac Mini, although the size I'm looking for, is too much money!) and be around £100 (~$160US).

EDIT: Just to make it clearer, I'm looking to purchase the server hardware myself – but I want something about Mac Mini sized. I don't want to pay for hosting!

Also, quick question – if it's to serve web pages from my home (standard ISP connection, no static IP!), what do I need in place to get this working. I'm guessing I would sign up with some service like no-ip, and register a domain to point to my no-ip address (then install the no-ip software on the server to update that with the current IP). I know the idea of running a server behind a normal ISP connection isn't very elegant, but I'd prefer to have the server where I can see it then pay over the odds for a hosting service where I have little to no control over what happens. Also, I could write my own server software for apps/etc to connect to as well.

Anyways I'm rambling! What do you guys think?!

  • Javawag
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you may need to run a non standard port - most ISPs block port 80 on residential connections – Journeyman Geek Feb 13 '11 at 14:56
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practically any atom system would do the trick - i'm currently using a mini itx based system but even a netbook has enough ram and processor power for personal hosting.

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Mini ITX looks like the kind of size system I'd like... do you recommend any particular hardware? Also, I'd never thought of using a netbook... that's a genius idea as they're small, quiet, affordable, and consume low power! – Javawag Feb 15 '11 at 9:00
nearly any atom has similar hardware - i'm using an intel board thats currently obsolete - the 945 dglf - the current ones are nicer though. I rather like the intel atom boards since they are fairly no nonsense, and have handled anything i have thrown at em like a champ. netbookwise, the dell mini insprions are nice, but for this role, i'd just go for the cheapest one i can dind. – Journeyman Geek Feb 17 '11 at 14:40
just a note, i've now purchased my server! it's a mini itx system that a friend had going spare – £150 in total for a 1.6GHz atom with 1GB RAM, 160GB hard drive :D – Javawag Feb 19 '11 at 13:32
single or dual core? if its the former, its pretty close to what i use now XD – Journeyman Geek Feb 20 '11 at 10:38
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Well, $160 US for something to run as a server is going to be difficult.

I went with a little eMachine 1352 ( I think the model was, I am work so can't check) for about $300 US.

It came with 4GB Ram, 500GB drive and a CPU that supported Linux KVM (a requirement of mine).

It's running 5 VM's. 2 For shell only, 1 email server, 1 mysql server and 1 web server.

Seems to handle it ok for an el cheapo setup.

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That doesn't seem like a bad price actually – I could go that high if needed I think! The only thing I don't like is the form factor – it's more a desktop than the slimeline face I'll need (unless I googled the wrong number) – Javawag Feb 13 '11 at 14:10
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