Server Questions - Anybody Feeling Brave?

[Raistlin]

Ok, I know I've got a couple of different threads running about servers (for one reason or another), if a passing Mod wants to merge them then fine but it makes more sense to me to keep them seperate as they're not really related.

So, my shiny new (or should that be dull, beige, old) server is up and running along quite nicely. Already have my first upgrade planned (two new Seagate Barracuda HDDs at 80Gb each).

I have a couple of questions will fall into the sort of Administrative side though which I'm hoping somebody with more experience can help me with.

1. I think (more for the sake of vanity than for any other reason) that I would like to be able to upload a sort of "Server Status Page" to the web (have web space so that's not an issue). The idea being that I could then browse to the page from anywhere and see if the server is up, how long it's been running without falling over, get some basic information from it etc.

Is this actually possible? What sort of software/setup would I need? Is it fairly easy to accomplish or am I trying to run before I can walk?

2. Somewhere along the line the chances are that I would like to be able to access the server remotely (I'm on a course at the end of the month in London so that would be a great opportunity to try this out). What are the practical problems associated with this?

I know that I would need to set up the server to allow me to access it from outside the network, presumably I would also need to "tweak" the router as well to allow this? How do I get around the fact that NTL IP addresses are dynamic? I suppose I could have the server upload it's current IP address to the Web but that's probably a bit dodgy (not to mention the fact that the IP is assigned by the router and therefore wouldn't actually reflect the NTL IP address).

I'm afraid these questions probably just constitute a "Starter For 10" but hopefully nobody minds me asking? I promise to repay the favour if I get a chance

Cheers Guys (and lovely Gals of course )

Raist.
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Sorry, should have said.

SACM > Router > Server

Server = Windows Server 2003 Std
Laptop = Windows XP

No other software on the server yet apart from Windows.

[Millay]

check out www.no-ip.com to solve the problem of your ip addy.

you will need to set up port forwarding, a quick search of the kb over at ms will hopefully give the correct ports to map i cant remeber them of the top of my head.

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by Millay

check out www.no-ip.com to solve the problem of your ip addy.

you will need to set up port forwarding, a quick search of the kb over at ms will hopefully give the correct ports to map i cant remeber them of the top of my head.

Thanks for that no-ip might solve at least part of the problem.

Cheers.

[Millay]

As for server status, if you can log in to the server, surly going that way would be a good way to see if its up etc..

I do not know about server 2003, but SBS 2003 has monitoring and reporting services straight out the box, this emails you about certain things, and using the remote web workplace you can view server up time etc that way...

The last server I set up was Windows 2000 and NT, althoguh i have done several SBS 2003 so thats more my bag, sorry I can not be more help

[Raistlin]

You've been a great help already - thanks very much.

[Richard M]

Originally Posted by Raistlin

1. I think (more for the sake of vanity than for any other reason) that I would like to be able to upload a sort of "Server Status Page" to the web (have web space so that's not an issue). The idea being that I could then browse to the page from anywhere and see if the server is up, how long it's been running without falling over, get some basic information from it etc.

This will do you:

PHP Code:

<?php
$output = shell_exec('uptime');
echo "<html><title>Server Uptime</title><body><h1>Server Uptime:</h1><p>$output</p></body></html>";
?>

My version is running here:
http://richard.phpfuture.net:8080/

I used to have the \\elisha has been up for: 30 day(s), 4 hour(s), 11 minute(s), 10 second(s) bit within <pre> tags but my mobile phone won't render text in these for some reason so I use <p> tags instead.
It's pretty cool being able to check if your server is OK when you're in the coffee shop.

You'll need either IIS & PHP or (recommended, for security) Apache & PHP.
I wrote a guide on this ages ago, which you can view here:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/sh...701#post220701
If you have any questions I'm a bit of an Apache expert so don't be shy.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, you'll need the Uptime.exe file from M$ - just drop it into your c:/winnt/system32/ directory...
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/arc...ds/uptime.mspx

P.S - Check out my HTTP headers from the server for random Monty Python quotes.

[iron25]

You mention that ntl ip addresses are dynamic but in my experience they are not. I have a STB and the ip address that I have now I have had for several months now. I don't know if it is different with a SACM.

I think RemotelyAnywhere from http://www.remotelyanywhere.com/ should cover both points. I have used versions 4 & 5 in the past before moving onto Remote Admin from http://www.radmin.com/ and RemotelyAnywhere allows you to access and administer your server from the web. It's pretty nifty and will tell you everything you need to know about how your server status, it's worth a look.
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here's a screen print
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[Millay]

I used to use remotly anywhere it is a crackin product although i can no longer justify the expense...

what I really want is KVM with remote access..

[iron25]

Originally Posted by Richard M

It's pretty cool being able to check if your server is OK when you're in the coffee shop

You say cool, I say sad

[Raistlin]

Hi Richard,

Thanks for that.

So, first step then is to install Apache and PHP and get them set up and running as per your guide.

Once that's done if I post back will you give me some pointers on where to go next please (polite pointers that is ).

Thanks for your help so far.
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Thanks for that Iron, I'll take a look at those links tomorrow.

[iron25]

Originally Posted by Millay

I used to use remotly anywhere it is a crackin product although i can no longer justify the expense...

what I really want is KVM with remote access..

When I used RemotelyAnywhere I was always trialling it so I don't know how much it costs.

[Richard M]

Originally Posted by Raistlin

Hi Richard,

Thanks for that.

So, first step then is to install Apache and PHP and get them set up and running as per your guide.

Once that's done if I post back will you give me some pointers on where to go next please (polite pointers that is ).

Thanks for your help so far.

BTW - Ignore the bit at the end of the guide about stopping Apache from running - you'll want it running all the time if it's a server.
Also don't worry about MySQL just yet - all you need is Apache/PHP.
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Originally Posted by iron25

You say cool, I say sad

Everyone in work seems quite impressed with the stuff I can do (IT Dept )...
For example, the image in my sig is actually some complicated server code that will count the time I'm offline for and if it reaches 2 weeks it will send emails, change webpages and send messages over MSN, among other stuff.
It's basically an automated system that I've been working on for a couple of years now that will keep track of me and if I'm offline for too long then it will assume something nasty happened to me so will inform certain people and do certain tasks that I assign to it...anyway - that's for another topic.

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by Richard M

BTW - Ignore the bit at the end of the guide about stopping Apache from running - you'll want it running all the time if it's a server.
Also don't worry about MySQL just yet - all you need is Apache/PHP.

Ok, cool (and no, it isn't sad.....not really).

I'll work on those tomorrow when I'm a bit more awake.

Like the idea of being able to check with mobile phone, that's a really neat trick. I take it that will work OK with the opera browser installed on my phone?

[iron25]

Originally Posted by Richard M

Everyone in work seems quite impressed with the stuff I can do (IT Dept )...

You know what they say, little things please little minds

I have to admit, it takes alot for me to be impressed by something.

[Raistlin]

Originally Posted by Richard M

For example, the image in my sig is actually some complicated server code that will count the time I'm offline for and if it reaches 2 weeks it will send emails, change webpages and send messages over MSN, among other stuff.
It's basically an automated system that I've been working on for a couple of years now that will keep track of me and if I'm offline for too long then it will assume something nasty happened to me so will inform certain people and do certain tasks that I assign to it...anyway - that's for another topic.

I think we're going to need a "Workshop" area of the site soon, a different workshop each week - with a resident expert talking us through things step by step.