How to organize a home server?

Question

linux

Hello. I want to organize myself a small home server.
What is available:

1. Linux (Xubuntu) experience - 10 months. Never installed it yet. I came to a new job - there was already a computer with Xubuntu installed. The level of use is an advanced user, I can configure Apaches, php, mysql, I am good friends with the console, etc. But never configured the kernel itself.
   
2. Experience in using Centos - 2 months (did a little in VDS)
   
3. A system unit (I plan to buy a used one) like this one:
   
   • System block DELL OptiPlex 745
     
   • Processor Intel Core2Duo E4400
     
   • RAM 2GB
     
   • Hard disk 80GB
     
   • Video card GMA X4500-765Mb
     
   
   
4. Desire to learn how to install Debian or Centos and learn how to administer them
   
5. And I really want to make a small home hosting
   

There are many materials on the Internet. But you need the most simple and understandable guidance.
What do you advise? I really hope for your help. Thank you.

Answer 1

A video card is not needed for the server, it is better to take it from the built-in motherboard.
Even if you will use not only the console, why do you need extra degrees and fans in the case?
The hard drive is small if you want to do home hosting and store files there. Well, it’s not a problem to buy a separate one later, but maybe it’s better to immediately 1-2 terabytes and hang the torrent there?
Of course, 2 GB of RAM is enough, but the memory is so cheap now, it's better to take a little more.
OS I recommend ubuntu - popular, full of discussions in the internet, fairly reliable distribution. the current LTS is 14.04
Installing most linux is now easy. next-next-next-complete.

Answer 2

I recommend google. Start betting, if it doesn't work - google it, if it doesn't work - ask. Algorithm such and ONLY such.

Answer 3

Linux is evil, FreeBSD must be installed.

Answer 4

it is better to collect iron on intel atom, at least it has less