Hosting Web Services

[=?Utf-8?B?ZGF2ZWJ5dGhlc2Vh?=]

Dear List,

I have been writing Web Services and running them from either a local IIS
Server on XP Pro or within the built in web server in VS2003 and more
recently VS2005.

I was considering getting a 'real server' to host some web services, but am
not sure which Microsoft server is best suited to hosting Web Services and a
database. Right now my Web Services connect to an Oracle database, however, I
realize that a Sql Server database would probably be best so as to keep
everything more tightly integrated and maximise compatibility across the
Microsoft and .NET environments.

Is Sql Server a standalone server on its own, like an operating system, or
is it installed on another server such as Windows 2003 Server, and run from
there?

Generally, could anyone suggest what Server is best suited to my needs and
what might be best avoided?

many Thanks,
Dave

[Spam Catcher]

=?Utf-8?B?ZGF2ZWJ5dGhlc2Vh?= <da**********@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote in news:49**********************************@microsof t.com:

Dear List,

It's actually a newsgroup you're posting too ;-)

I was considering getting a 'real server' to host some web services,
but am not sure which Microsoft server is best suited to hosting Web
Services and a database. Right now my Web Services connect to an
Oracle database, however, I realize that a Sql Server database would
probably be best so as to keep everything more tightly integrated and
maximise compatibility across the Microsoft and .NET environments.

Oracle works fine in .NET - but licensing is a bit expensive right?

Is Sql Server a standalone server on its own, like an operating
system, or is it installed on another server such as Windows 2003
Server, and run from there?

SQL Server is loaded ontop of Windows. However, there are several
versions of SQL server:

SQL Server Compact Edition - a small embeddable database
SQL Server Express - a free standalone database
SQL Server Workgroup, Standard, Enterprise - the regular offerings

Take a serious look at Express, it maybe good enough for your needs. If
you outgrow Express you can upgrade to the full product relatively
easily. Microsoft has the feature comparison charts on their website.

Generally, could anyone suggest what Server is best suited to my needs
and what might be best avoided?

Which database server you need depends on several factors such as
features you'll be using (i.e. data import? failover? load balacing?),
traffic, etc.

--
sp**********@rogers.com (Do not e-mail)

[Spam Catcher]

"Mr. Arnold" <MR. Ar****@Arnold.comwrote in
news:uu**************@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl:

I suggest that you find a Web Service Provider and use that, if you
want to play. WSP(s) are cheap.

www.crystaltech.com - very good and reliable. 2.95 a month developer
plans.

--
sp**********@rogers.com (Do not e-mail)

[=?Utf-8?B?ZGF2ZWJ5dGhlc2Vh?=]

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. Yeh I'd considered just buying some hosting, but
think it might be fun to have a play with my own server - obviously using
caution in terms of security. The last thing i want is to have my server
hacked! Still, its probably easier to just buy a host package, but I might
want to transfer unlimited amounts of data and dont want to end up paying
over the odds if I can host it all locally and be in more control. We'll see
I guess...

Cheers,
dave

[Mr. Arnold]

"davebythesea" <da**********@discussions.microsoft.comwrote in message
news:55**********************************@microsof t.com...

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. Yeh I'd considered just buying some hosting, but
think it might be fun to have a play with my own server - obviously using
caution in terms of security. The last thing i want is to have my server
hacked! Still, its probably easier to just buy a host package, but I might
want to transfer unlimited amounts of data and dont want to end up paying
over the odds if I can host it all locally and be in more control. We'll
see
I guess...

Like I said, Web server and Security admins can hardly do it, and they have
read the books, and they have been given the proper training, to secure a
Web Server, running the Windows platform, and the Web server is being
exposed to the public Internet.

There is no such thing as caution in terms of security. You had better know
what you're doing security wise with the Windows O/S and IIS, as otherwise,
it's just hack bait you're putting out there to be attacked and used as a
jumping off point to attack others.

[Spam Catcher]

=?Utf-8?B?ZGF2ZWJ5dGhlc2Vh?= <da**********@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote in news:55**********************************@microsof t.com:

Still, its probably easier to just buy a host package, but I might
want to transfer unlimited amounts of data and dont want to end up
paying over the odds if I can host it all locally and be in more
control. We'll see I guess...

Web servers use very little data - unless you're transferring binary data.
CrystalTech has full shared hosting plans with generous transfers :-)

In anycase, check your ISP TOS too ... they may or may not allow home
servers, and depending on your usage, you could end up losing your home
connection.

--
sp**********@rogers.com (Do not e-mail)

[=?Utf-8?B?ZGF2ZWJ5dGhlc2Vh?=]

"Mr. Arnold" wrote:

>
"davebythesea" <da**********@discussions.microsoft.comwrote in message
news:55**********************************@microsof t.com...

Hi,

Thanks for your replies. Yeh I'd considered just buying some hosting, but
think it might be fun to have a play with my own server - obviously using
caution in terms of security. The last thing i want is to have my server
hacked! Still, its probably easier to just buy a host package, but I might
want to transfer unlimited amounts of data and dont want to end up paying
over the odds if I can host it all locally and be in more control. We'll
see
I guess...

Like I said, Web server and Security admins can hardly do it, and they have
read the books, and they have been given the proper training, to secure a
Web Server, running the Windows platform, and the Web server is being
exposed to the public Internet.

There is no such thing as caution in terms of security. You had better know
what you're doing security wise with the Windows O/S and IIS, as otherwise,
it's just hack bait you're putting out there to be attacked and used as a
jumping off point to attack others.

Would you care to offer some tips on how to secure a web server so it is not
hack bait? You must have learned the secrets somewhere, care to share a good
reference to doing it 'right'?

Cheers,
dav

Dav