Debian setup

[roaryg]

I am looking into getting a Debian OS to run a small website. I am familiar with running my own Linux box at home, but have never set up DNS to work on the internet.

I know how to point the nameservers to the IP for my domain, so does your install come ready to run with my IP address or will I have to configure this?

Also, I assume your basic install has proper security set up? I can take care of hardening later, I just want to make sure I don't get rooted :eek: while I am figuring my way around at the start.

Do you have a list somewhere of the packages included in the basic installed Debian?

Thanks,
Tim.

[tanima]

Mine came preconfigured with an IP address, and I pretty much immediately did an update with apt-get, though things were fairly up-to-date anyway.

In terms of major things that were preinstalled, I remember removing apache (1.3), squid, and exim, and being suprised by the absence of things like GCC/binutils and Vim, but given how little time it takes to install things with apt-get, I think less is more anyway.

[DJ_Max]

Your system will come configured to the GNAX network with one dedicated static IP. Your chances of getting rooted while securing is slim to none, as it's unlikely that many people know your IP.

You can run your own DNS server, or outsource it to Unixshell#. If you were to setup your own DNS, and want to use BIND, I would use a control panel like Webmin, as BIND is a pain. Otherwise, use what I prefer, which is simple, secure, and not to mention powerful DJBDNS for setting up your DNS server.

What installation did you choose? Minimum?

[roaryg]

Thanks for the tips! I am going to go with the 96 plan with Debian. I think I'll go with easyDNS for now, it's less than a couple of bucks per month, and means I won't need a panel for the VPS. I'll wrap my head around DNS at a later date.

[DJ_Max]

[QUOTE=roaryg]Thanks for the tips! I am going to go with the 96 plan with Debian. I think I'll go with easyDNS for now, it's less than a couple of bucks per month, and means I won't need a panel for the VPS. I'll wrap my head around DNS at a later date.[/QUOTE]
Who's your domain name register, they may include DNS service with the purchase of your domain. I know namecheap does.

[roaryg]

Another good tip, thanks DJ_Max, but my registrar doesn't include the DNS. How have you found the service at unixshell? I see they have had some blips during January, did they affect you?

[DJ_Max]

[QUOTE=roaryg]Another good tip, thanks DJ_Max, but my registrar doesn't include the DNS. [/QUOTE]How have you found the service at unixshell?
No problem, that's pretty much what I'm here for.
[QUOTE=roaryg]I see they have had some blips during January, did they affect you?[/QUOTE]
Yes, VM4 had a drive failure, so while the server was rebuilding the RAID array, there was poor I/O performance. Same with the power failure at Gnax. (Though, I have to add this isn't the fault of Unixshell, nor does Gnax have problems often, this is a rare case.)

[moog]

[QUOTE=roaryg]Thanks for the tips! I am going to go with the 96 plan with Debian. I think I'll go with easyDNS for now, it's less than a couple of bucks per month, and means I won't need a panel for the VPS. I'll wrap my head around DNS at a later date.[/QUOTE]
I'd recommend lookng at dnsmadeeasy for as well. I've been using them for about a year and haven't had any problems with them. They look cheaper than easyDNS, especially if you run multiple domains. Backup MX is extra though, if you want that. Dnsmadeeasy also offer secondary DNS as part of their standard account. I found that useful when figuring out DNS - I used my VPS as the primary and used theirs as a secondary.