Just want to know if you can use win 98 as the OS of the server?
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Just want to know if you can use win 98 as the OS of the server?
-nods- Yes. With proper settings, security configurations and such, it can be used as a low class, small server. Even for medium sized sites it could work still.
As long as you configure it properly, secure it properly... then it shouldn't give you any problems. Perhaps you could give us a bit more information, and I could tell you exactally how well a certain kind of server would run :)
My trainor told me that I can't use win 98 as an OS. I told her that win98 can be used in small local area networks however there are some configurations that cannot be done with win98 not like win NT. She did not agree. She insisted that win 98 cannot be used as an OS.
Can not be used as an OS, or used as a server? It can be used as both an OS and server, because there is server software built for Windows 98.
What kind of server isyour trainor talking about in specific? Web? Login? She is right, however, that there are certain configurations that NT can do that 98 can not, but that doesn't mean you can eventually tweak 98 to do it in a very similar way.
Although my instinct and gut reaction is to respectively disgree with Pooh's comments, I really have to be honest and state that until we see what the intention of use is here there isn't any solid evidence to support disgreement.
We could argue about stability, file system security, or even scalability. It would/will actually make for a fascinating discussion. Yet, the fact of the matter is that AmplifiedGirl may come back and write that the intention is to construct a small mp3 server.
I wouldn't see any glaring problems, with Pooh's caveats of course, with carrying out that intention in Win98 (but please be Win98SE...).
On the other hand, if we find out that the intention is an Exchange server, well...lol. I can't even imagine. we'll just have to wait and see what the original poster comes back with in regards to more detail.
Anyway, consider this a pre-emptive water dousing for the inevitable flames. :)
Cheers,
<0
Quote:
low class, small server. Even for medium sized sites it could work still.
I said it works perfect for low class servers :) Such as a simple apache, a simple smtp or pop. I know this from experience. So while I agree that a large scale network use is impossible with 98, small server usage is completely possible and has been done MANY times before. (even apache 2 runs on 98). It just requires proper configuration for security.
And yes, by all means 98SE. 98 SE2 would be an even better godsend. I also agree with lessthanzero on needing more information. He is correct, as largescale and mission critical servers are horrible on 98 because of what 98 was designed for. An exchange server for example would be suicide because of network latency issues on the 98 kernel. But... if your admin is just being general, then I say slap the Apache2 documentation in his face and prove that Windows 98 can run it.
edit: No worries about this being a flamewar lessthanzero, I agree with 99% of what you said :)
actually, i was dousing you w/ water!
i'm not sure most netizens will share our views on the ability to leverage Win98 in server fashion.
but thanks all the same :)
Oh, just in case someone comes in and says "WIN98 CAN'T BE A SERVER oOMFG!!111five likewhoa!!"
Which would mean I go balistic, and the next thing we know is that there is the faint outline of a newbie's body, marked upon the city street?
My best friend has gotten Windows 98 to work as a web server just fine. Then again we both have experiance, as both of us have messed with it quite a bit. I'm not sure what kind of load he was getting but he had it set up fine.
For me it all depends on what is ment by "server". If the question is can windows 98 be considered a server OS the simple answer is no. If the question is more like can windows 98 be configured to perform certain server functions like printer sharing, file sharing, running client server software, then the answer is yes.
Having said that I would not consider any machine running windows 98 a server in the true sense of the word.
And I'll consider you full of gross stupidity and having no clue what the hell you're talking about. You'v already seen 3 people here that have used 98 as a server.
and what exactly is your definition of server? To me win98 would make an acceptable print server or file server or even a good test server for webdev. Admitedly it doesnt have all the bells and whistles of some of the other OS's designed with being a server in mind it is a cheap allternative for someone who doesnt have the money to buy a M$ server (like win2k3 server) or doesnt want to have to learn linux to learn howto write their own web page with seerver side scriptingQuote:
Having said that I would not consider any machine running windows 98 a server in the true sense of the word.
gore,
Don`t you thinik thats a little harsh? his first three sentances
"For me it all depends on what is ment by "server". If the question is can windows 98 be considered a server OS the simple answer is no. If the question is more like can windows 98 be configured to perform certain server functions like printer sharing, file sharing, running client server software, then the answer is yes."
are correct, as its not a server OS per se, (it was designed as a desktop OS) but it can certainly be used in a server role, its the last one
"Having said that I would not consider any machine running windows 98 a server in the true sense of the word."
Which messes it all up for him.
As much as people hunt me down every time I mix up an acronym, or say something the wrong way, do I think that was harsh? No. I take such an oral beating here I might as well be a porn star.
I see your point.
You might need to change your name from gore though to be successful as a porn star..well, it probably depends on who your audience are.
Hardcore bondage and S&M all the way! Won't have to change the name at all. And if I go for snuff it will actually be a better name. ;)
ROFL gore
Anyways, here's my 2 cent on this:
To clear something up for MURACU, if an OS has built in ability to perform file sharing/print sharing, run client commands and such, it can make a wonderful server. Hell you can use it as a dedicated server for a game if you have enough memory in it. The only problem with 98 being a server is its security. It just sucks and you have to restart it every time you change something. If you set it up and patch it all up, and install a firewall and go all the way with the security settings...then windows 98 makes a perfect little server.
EDIT:
Here's some extra info for you,
Quote:
Installing Personal Web Server
This section concerns installing Microsoft's Personal Web Server (PWS) 4.0 on Windows 98 SE, since that's the system I had available to install and test on. PWS is also available for Windows 95 and NT.
Note: If you are running Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional you should install IIS instead of PWS. If you are using XP Home Edition, read this.
PWS is best described as a poor mans web server - it is not intended to be used in a production environment. However, it is perfect for use on your own computer, where it allows you to test your scripts before uploading to your production server or Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Starting the Installation
There are two places you can get PWS, both of which are free. The Windows 98 CD includes it, and you can download it from the Microsoft web site.
Warning 1: Microsoft does not recommend installing PWS on Windows Me, although they admit it can if you are an "advanced user who regularly tests unsupported software configurations".
Warning 2: There is a fairly rare problem with MTS that may cause you problems later.
I recommend following the instructions here before you start...
Downloading from Microsoft.com
If you don't have the Windows 98 CD, you can download the NT4 Option Pack which, believe it or not, contains Personal Web Server for Windows 95 and 98.
Be aware that the download is 34mb, which will take nearly 3 hours to download with a 28.8 modem.
To start the download, follow these steps:
1. Go to the microsoft.com web site. (clicking here opens a new window, so you can continue to read this tutorial)
2. Follow the instructions on the web site, choosing Windows 95 as the operating system even if you're running on Windows 98.
3. After the download, the installation starts - skip to step 5 below.
Installing from Windows 98 CD
The Windows 98 CD includes PWS, but you need to run a separate setup program to fully install and configure it. Microsoft recommends that you have at least a 90 MHz Pentium processor with 20-32 MB RAM, 40MB free disk space and a Super VGA monitor
To start the installation, follow these steps:
1. Insert your Windows 98 CD in its drive.
2. Click Start and then click Run.
3. In the Run dialog box, type x:\add-ons\pws\setup.exe
4. Substitute the letter of your CD drive for x, and click OK.
5. The following screen will appear.
click for pic: http://coveryourasp.com/images/screens/pwssetup1.gif
R0n1n
Thanks for the support. I maybe should have put IMHO before my last comment. That comment remains my personnel and proffessional opinion.
Gore,
"And I'll consider you full of gross stupidity and having no clue what the hell you're talking about. You'v already seen 3 people here that have used 98 as a server."
Actually I belive I do know what I am talking about. I have used windows 98 in almost every possiable server function. From a printer server to a database server. I have done the same thing with every windows operating system from 311 to windows 2003.
Maybe you should read my post and not just get stuck on the last line. Ron1n has already qouted so I wont wast our time with a reqoute. As you already noted you and your friend configured 98 as a web server but it wasnt easy.
Cybr1d
I answered the first question of the thread with the information given. By the basic definition any OS can be considered a server as nearly all operating systems offer the same basic possabilities for file sharing and printer sharing. If we look at windows nt workstataion and windows nt server there is no differance in the kernal. they are the same OS. The only differance is on the version server there are a couple of performance tools loaded that are not loaded for the workstation.
I have already configured windows 95 as a web server for a very specific project for our accounts departement that doesnt mean i would call 95 a server OS would you?
I ran a server on windows 95 for quite some while and when you don't mess arround with it it can be stable enough too. Security is mostly solved if you install a decent firewall and keep it up to date. Also windows 9x has less "features" who can be exploited then most other OS's because it wasn't designed for network use. The only thing that might be a problem, is the lack of support for a windows 9x based server. For example if you use apache as a webserver it clearly states the *nix version is better tested etc, because it was originally wriiten for that OS. It runs very fine though and as long as you don't stress it to the limits and know what you're doing it might even be a better choice then for example linux, because of the easy user interface of windows wich leaves less space for an admin mistake.
Hey guys...Just wanted to add my thoughts.
I have setup several small to medium sized companys with Win98SE as the server.
It functioned as a file server for the DBs and regular file storage. Had zero problems on a 40 machine network. After a couple years the companies upgraded to 2k server so they could have more security, but for startup a Win98SE liscense if they even sell them anymore is alot less then anything NT based. I would recomend any small business needing to save cash to start there and work up. With a little effort you can make it secure enough. The main thing I did besides AV patches and Fierwall was block its net access since we didnt need it for anything.
Well those are my thoughts :)
I used to use a Win98SE Box as a file/print server. I never had a problem with it. Granted, built in security is low, but I overcame the limitations through a good firewall and special router configurations on my end.
My network is a little odd though.
DSL ----- Router --------- Wireless Router ------- My Computers
|
|
Neighbor's Computers
The only real weakness is the wireless router, but I use MAC filtering, change the WEP key often, and don't use wireless unless I have to.
The only reason I ditched the 98SE box as a file server was that my GF needed a computer for school, and I didn't have time to teach her Linux. It was a good system, and a good server.
OMG!!! I just defended a MS product. The universe must be crumbling. LOL
EDIT: Neighbor's computers should be under first router.
I would assume that you have a slower and or older machine running Win98 on it. Why not use something like Mandrake Linux or something (runs great on older machines...i got it on a pentium 400mhz). It comes with a load of useful utilities for services and during the installation you can specify what type of server it would be.
Two reasons why:
1. This thread is about making 98 work as a server
2. Because 98 can do exactally what mandrake can do, you just have to know how.
As far as I'm concerned, if you can't make it run, it's a user error.Quote:
Originally posted here by MURACU
Actually I belive I do know what I am talking about. I have used windows 98 in almost every possiable server function. From a printer server to a database server. I have done the same thing with every windows operating system from 311 to windows 2003.
Maybe you should read my post and not just get stuck on the last line. Ron1n has already qouted so I wont wast our time with a reqoute. As you already noted you and your friend configured 98 as a web server but it wasnt easy.
Ebay.com runs on Windows NT and Windows 98...I have never seen that site lag....Maybe some people really do just know what the hell they are doing?
And where did I say it was hard for me and my best friend?
And as for a "Server" OS....Define server....I think you meant NOS, in which case Windows does fine.
A server is mearly a powerful computer ;) Not an OS
A "Server" OS is whatever OS you put a machine to serve clients.
Win98 (or 98SE) can work well in some cases as a server. It does contain everything you would need to set up a good file storage server, and low demand apps. We have serveral of them running here, acting as storage servers. When you have older hardware that will not handle the heavy demands of Win2000, and/or you dont wish to run NT 4.0, 98SE can fill the nich nicely, as long as you dont really want it to be terribly secure. ME and 95 will also work, but both are terrible insecure. ME is just plain terrible period.
File sharing and locking is available under 98, as well as 95, ME, as well as the NT based systems. There is no real reason 98 can not be a file server. Or a Applcation Server (depending on the App of course) or Web or FTP server. THere ARE better solutions, but if it is what you have to work with, it will get the job done.
My Server was a 1.1 Ghz AMD box with 512 RAM. It wasn't the crap factory it sounds like.
Right now, the file/print server is running FreeBSD 4.9, and will soon be upgraded to either SuSE 9 or Slackware 9.
I personally like 98SE. Assuming that system resources are adequate, it will run most software, and it doesn't have the activation bullsh*t of newer versions of Windows.
I agree with Gore, Although I doubt that you will find Windows 98 servers safeguarding the secrets of the NSA, the OS performs fine in day to day network environments, on both the client side and the server side. As has been said many times here at AO, it all depends on the administrator. The skill and knowledge of the Administrator will decide the final security and capabilities of the OS, be it Linux, Unix, or Windows (or BSD).
EDIT: I also agree with MrCoffee, ME sucks ass. I don't think even the best admin can make it anything more than a half-assed mix of 98SE and a dirty diaper.
"EDIT: I also agree with MrCoffee, ME sucks ass. I don't think even the best admin can make it anything more than a half-assed mix of 98SE and a dirty diaper."
ROFL, You've got my vote for quote of the day!
:D