SSH, UNIX, FreeBSD need to know?

[TomJones]

Plunging into this new world from budget hosts where all I need to know was HTML and how to FTP. I am trying to get my bearings on what I should put as priorities in the learning process. I am getting the hang of working with DirectAdmin and all that but, I am clueless about what I need to know about SSH and Unix (I'm running FreeBSD).

I have downloaded Putty and connected. I have managed to run some commands that return something other than NOT FOUND but, I realize I have no idea why I need to learn this to run the server. My initial purpose was to determine if ImageMagick was installed but, I couldn't figure out the appropriate command. I'd like to be able to do that but, on a more broad scope, the questions that are most important are: (1) What do I really need to know about working with SSH, and (2) What's the best resource that deals specifically with that.

I downloaded the FreeBSD manual and a UNIX manual but, I was fairly overwhelmed after several pages. Is there a resource that deals primarily with the implications of this operating system for a server?

Thanks for any input!

[Daejuan]

Well, besides installing a Firewall, and securing the server.

http://infohost.nmt.edu/tcc/help/unix/unix_cmd.html
http://www.emba.uvm.edu/CF/basic.html
For command Unix commands.

[TomJones]

Hmmm, installing a firewall. Now I have another question to answer (this is how it goes, isn't it). I didn't realize that a server needed a firewall. This is going to be a steep learning curve!

Thanks for the links, I feel like a babe in the woods on this board. My budget host forum was filled with email, html, and script issues. This is a whole new world of topics. I'm reading up on UNIX and FreeBSD right now.

The whole reason I switched from my budget host to a dedicated server was to accomidate a new image gallery and eliminate the problems I was having with my mail servers being blocked because of spam sites on the same server.

I'd love to get this site up and running on my new dedicated server and then tinker/learn by creating some new sites that I have in mind but, haven't started. My existing site has a few thousand users and an active business. I can't afford to let it go down while I switch.

Are there members of this forum that will get your site up and running on the dedicated servers for a fee? (I'm running PHP scripts and MySQL)

[xgravity]

Tom, PM me your information. I'm sure we can help you out.

[Matt [MainArea]]

Take a look at http://forums.burst.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2206 .

- Matt

[wKkaY]

tomjones,

let me warn you (from experience hehe) that the FreeBSD firewall defaults to 'deny all'. you would probably want to to enter everything (enable ipfw, allow traffic, etc) in a script, and then run the script.

if you manage to lock yourself out like i did, just drop burst a support ticket and they'll login to your box to clear the deny rules :)

[TomJones]

Hmmm (again), I can't PM anyone; it says the administrator has disabled that function. Is that just for me?

I'd love to have someone who knows what they were doing help me migrate. The biggest headache is switching my scripts and database tables (PHP MySQL). If anyone was interested in taking on the project, I'm very eager to outsource this task. If you can't PM me, you could go to my site and fill out the contact form.

Thanks for the Firewall tip. With my level of experience, I'd be doing myself a favor if I locked myself out!

[Matt [MainArea]]

Hmmm (again), I can't PM anyone; it says the administrator has disabled that function. Is that just for me?
No, Burst has chosen to disable the PM feature for everybody. Emails still work though :)

- Matt

[TomJones]

Apache is stopped and won't start. I can't start, restart, reload from DA. This is really getting frustrating. If everything was working properly and my only concerns were securing the server and migration, that would be one thing. This problem with the machine, Os, and DA is making me nuts. It's like watching money burn in a fire. I'm really frustrated at this point.