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schorsche
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Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 230
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 Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 1:20 pm Post subject: Gentoo on 166MHz box |
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I wonder if my old Pentium 166Mhz/32Ram/3GBHD box is able to serve as a server (mysql and apache).
No need for X11 and so on. All I basically want is to set it up once, throw it into the cellar and
do all subsequent maintance/updates via ssh. It should also perform routing services.
Any tips to get the most out of the box?
Cheers |
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Headrush
Watchman
Joined: 06 Nov 2003
Posts: 5597
Location: Bizarro World
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:20 pm Post subject: |
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For any serious mysql work you will need more memory. You can make a large swap, but that would tremdously slow it down.
Just a note, compiling even a basic no GUI system will take a long time. It might not be worth the effort and just better to get a binary distro for this kind of thing. I recommend www.clarkconnect.com
You could run it as a router and use it for a low bandwidth apache server, but don't except great performance.
Again RAM is your biggest issue, the CPU should be adequate for routing and simple web pages serving. |
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VStrider
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Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 244
Location: 1 to Rule All way, Moria Gate, Middle Earth, SAU 70N
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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I agree with Headrush. The box is too slow to run mysql, though you'll be able to run apache as long as you don't serve any high traffic site on there.
If you want to use it as a firewall/router, you can try distcc/ccache, and use your faster box to compile ebuilds for your 166 box. Or alternatively you can use a specialised distro for routers/firewalls. I'd recommend IPCop. It's FOSS and under the GPL. |
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jonnevers
Veteran
Joined: 02 Jan 2003
Posts: 1594
Location: Gentoo64 land
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:57 pm Post subject: Re: Gentoo on 166MHz box |
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| schorsche wrote: | I wonder if my old Pentium 166Mhz/32Ram/3GBHD box is able to serve as a server (mysql and apache).
No need for X11 and so on. All I basically want is to set it up once, throw it into the cellar and
do all subsequent maintance/updates via ssh. It should also perform routing services.
Any tips to get the most out of the box?
Cheers |
I installed gentoo on a 200mhz p2 (the version before MMX was debuted)... after the install it was "ok". for installation I recommend getting familiar with distcc so that the machine isn't comiling for a week (literally  ).
as a router/firewall the machine should be perfectly fine. Mysql may bog it down significantly though.
also, be very careful about the USE flags you are using. keep them minimal and keep the amount of software being installed to as small a quantity as possible.
- Jon |
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schorsche
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Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 230
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all your replies so far.
I never considered the option of cross compiling. Since I'm quite used to Gentoo I'll stick to it.
So is the best procedure to install Gentoo from binaries to have a basic system up and running
and then recompile everything?
Or would it be better to go as far as the bootstrap section of the "Gentoo Installation Guide" and
then do the cross-compiling?
I'll use the box for hosting my (rather simple) homepager. I'll also only be running a simple sql Database for my
blog. Also, the box should route my privat network's clients through to a cable modem. |
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Headrush
Watchman
Joined: 06 Nov 2003
Posts: 5597
Location: Bizarro World
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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Another alternate to distcc is setting up your new system in a chroot and then just copying the files to the new computer's hard drive.
Then after booting the LiveCD and chrooting into the system, set up GRUB and reboot.
I recently did this and it worked quite well. (I had issues with distcc last time I tried and this was quicker for me) |
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schorsche
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Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 230
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah that sounds like an alternative, since many other people posted they've had trouble using distcc.
What exactly do you mean by "setting up the new system in a chroot and copy the files over"
Do you mean that I should boot my (fast) machine from a BootCd, compile all the necessary files into a temporary folder
and then boot up the (slow) machine and copy the files? |
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Headrush
Watchman
Joined: 06 Nov 2003
Posts: 5597
Location: Bizarro World
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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| schorsche wrote: | Yeah that sounds like an alternative, since many other people posted they've had trouble using distcc.
Can you please explain me what you mean by "setting up the new system in a chroot and copy the files over"
Do you mean that I should boot my (fast) machine from a BootCd, compile all the necessary files into a temporary folder
and then boot up the (slow) machine and copy the files? |
Nope. Simplier than that.
Follow the Gentoo installation docs like any other time. The difference is that instead of mounting a partition at /mnt/gentoo, you can create a folder anywhere and use that. Extract the stage tarball in there, just like the docs mention. Then when applicable chroot into that directory and continue installing. (Just remember to make settings, /etc/make.conf applicable to the machine you are going to use this on)
Don't do the GRUB step.
When done, you leave the chroot, tar up the directory.
Start the LiveCD on new machine, setup partitions. Start sshd and copy the tar file over. Extract it into the partition.
Now chroot into this partition same as Gentoo docs say and install GRUB. (mounting /dev/ and /proc)
Reboot
That is a simple quick outline, if you need more help just ask. |
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schorsche
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Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 230
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| Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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Many thanks!
I'll get another 32 Mb Ram and start chrooting! |
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goofygrin
n00b
Joined: 07 Feb 2006
Posts: 11
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:15 am Post subject: |
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| "back in the day" I ran slackware on a 486 with like 8 meg of ram to share out my 56k external modem... (this was in 96/7 timeframe)... no gui... took forever to build the kernel (days) |
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Headrush
Watchman
Joined: 06 Nov 2003
Posts: 5597
Location: Bizarro World
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:02 am Post subject: |
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| goofygrin wrote: | | "back in the day" I ran slackware on a 486 with like 8 meg of ram to share out my 56k external modem... (this was in 96/7 timeframe)... no gui... took forever to build the kernel (days) |
OMG, your a glutton for punishment: sharing a 56k modem!
Thanks for bringing up bad memories. I was trying to bury those images of taking days to download things from The Source and Compuserve on a dialup modem, back in the pre-widespread Internet days.  |
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schorsche
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Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 230
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:39 am Post subject: |
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Hey Headrush,
Did you use the -march=... flag in make.confg or -arch=.... flag?
I've heard some rumour that an initially march-compiled gentoo
won't run on another box.
Cheers |
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Headrush
Watchman
Joined: 06 Nov 2003
Posts: 5597
Location: Bizarro World
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| Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:31 am Post subject: |
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| schorsche wrote: | Hey Headrush,
Did you use the -march=... flag in make.confg or -arch=.... flag?
I've heard some rumour that an initially march-compiled gentoo
won't run on another box.
Cheers |
Use march, but make sure you set this to the machine you will be using as the server, not your desktop machine.
(All these type setting are based on the server.)
You aren't on a amd64 desktop are you? If so make sure when you change into chroot, you proceed the command with linux32. | Code: | | linux32 chroot /mnt/gentoo /bin/bash |
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