Minimum requirements from a web server

[CyberDodo]

Hello all!!

Me and my best friend have decided to establish an online shop. I have a cable conection to internet and I think I can host my website on one of my old PC. And here is my question: what are the minimum requirements for a decent server? what proccessor, RAM memory, HD size, etc...

Thank you all.....
CyberDodo

[Terminator1138]

well there is not much needed to run a webserver but you have to take into consideration how many ppl are gonna connect and if you need php etc.

I would say 512ram would be good with a P3 or higher. HD size does not really matter cuz there is not much space you really need...
However consider this, will your host give you the speed you need to truly host a site and also secure transations if need be? Depending on what you are selling online think about customer impressions and their thoughts when shopping on a site that has an IP instead of domain name so you might need static ip or a diy dns system if you have a dynamic IP.

To run a webserver really does not take much in resources, but to have lots of ppl to connect and really dedicated work, there is some other issues you have to research. Good luck.

[CyberDodo]

First thing first! thank you 4 the quick reply....
second: I do intend to register a domain name (something like www.myeshop.co.il). I don't know 4 sure I have a static IP - I have a cable modem wich is always on and connected, therefore his IP address should be static. But if there is power failure, I'm not sure I'll receive the same IP when my modem restarts.
I said HD, cuz all pages and grafics should be on it, right? So HD size should match be as big as the site (that's what I'm thinking, correct if I'm wrong)
About how many will log on, well, I'm quite sure that I can consider myself lucky if I'll get 500 visitors per day in the beggining... My connection is 3MB download\150KB upload. Is it enough or should I upgrade the upload speed???

Again I thank u all,
CyberDodo

[Terminator1138]

The upload is what will hinder you.

BTW, HD space you will need is around 20gb...you probably only really need 10 if your site is HUGE and you have millions of products :), Most large websites on the web might only be using around 5 or so. So if you plan on doing a huge cart, you want as much as you can get I guess.

The bandwidth is the biggest thing as I started to say. Depending on your ISP, they may only give you 150KB for max upload. If you will start out at 500 visitors, I'm thinking this will barely get you started.

500 visitors requesting information might eat that up. For your visitors sake and keeping them at your site, I would ask for more upload speeds..