I’m looking to setup a webserver for atleast 10 users initially. Actually, I’m starting a pretty small software house and I’m the alone investor. Basically, I’m a developer myself and I know the science of setting up the complete environment for PHP on my own laptop. But now, I would need to setup a centralized server on which all the other developers will be saving and retrieving their work and database records. Right now, I’m little bit on tight on budget. Basically, I’m a windows platform geek. I’ve few questions (which might like a bit of silly quests) but I’m not a networking expert. Thats why, I’m here:
Can I use windows 7 for server purpose ? Right now mysql, apache and file sharing all will be managed by the same machine ? If not should I go for windows server 2008 ? What benefits I will get using windows server 2008 ?
What hardware configuration of my server should be for 10 users initially ?
What tools I would require for my development team to make their work and collaboration easier ?
These are some basic questions which I want to be cleared before.
If you are running Apache, MySQL and PHP and are on a budget you might want to use a Linux based server.
Having said that, to answer some of your questions:
Windows 7 can be used as a server but, and this is a very big but, it is no-where as good as running a proper server operating system and I have found many load balancing and also I have found that the Windows 7 machine would usually require regular reboots.
Before looking at the hardware configuration you would need to ask, how long you want the server to last and what the possible changes the team could face (e.g. do you want it to last three years and the team could grow to 20 people), and also are you going to be doing database heavy work, and require things to run on the server?
Are you looking at multiple people working on the same project and more specifically possibly the same files at the same time?
@quizical made some excellent points but, as a Certified Ethical Hacker, my first (and primary) concern would be for the security of your server and its projects. If you’re trying to make your server available 24/7 via the Internet, you have no business running such an operation and certainly not with Windows anything (they’ve been the most vulnerable to attack for ages). Operating a server “in the wild” requires a LOT of attention and some very $pecialized $oftware.
Since I’m not available 24/7, I am happy to employ professionals via my web host (WebHostingBuzz has a GREAT support team to maintain their hardware and software) but, with your lack of specifications about access, I doubt that even a dedicated server would allow the sharing that is likely from your description. I would certainly NOT put a Windows box online and expect it to stand more than a week; not even that long if your ISP discovered you’re in competition with them and are violating your T&C with them.