Posted on 03/21/2014 5:39:38 AM PDT by RangerM
I have a Windows XP machine using Apache as an HTTP webserver. It is primarily used as a way for me to provide large files to clients who cannot receive large attachments.
It is strictly a one-way street. I do not allow FTP uploading. Nor is this machine used for anything else (no web surfing, etc)
Other than the HTTP server port(s) and a couple for UVNC (which provides multi-layer password protection and encrypted connections), I have the firewall pretty buttoned up.
The system itself runs reliably, and beyond installing a decent antivirus (which I already have), I cannot see a reason to upgrade to a newer OS. I've considered Linux, but I'm better versed with the system as it is, and don't really want to switch to another VNC program.
Can anyone think of why I shouldn't let the system continue as is?
Because there are other upgrades in systems that can affect your server-system upgrades, affecting its compatibility as a server.
The question is this: is this used as a PC or a server? If a server, get appropriate server software that is current and rebuild the system as a server as opposed to a PC box.
Unless you rely heavily on Microsoft Support, your computer will continue to run until hardware failure. As time progresses, you may need to install new software which may not work with the aging operating system. If hardware failure happens, you may only be able to find components that are incompatible with Windows XP. YMMV.
Mainly because, even if you’ve got it buttoned up pretty tightly, there are still-extant exploits out there that MS hasn’t fixed, and since it’s still pretty widely deployed, hackers will keep banging on it and discovering new zero-day exploits, only now there won’t be any fix forthcoming. XP probably shouldn’t be internet-facing in any capacity anyway, but now that there isn’t any support for it, that goes double. I’d suggest you brush up on your Apache.
I’d watch and see what the banks will be doing.
Most ATM machines are Windows XP hosted and they are now scrambling for a substitute to put in place before next month.
The biggest differences, and it is big, between Windows XP/Vista/7 are within the user GUI. The core systems, file management and network structures are very nearly the same. If I were you, I’d just pick a Vista or 7 system and do a test run. Limit the number of users who can access the test system and check it out.
It’s primarily what you might call a one-way file server. Other than a basic PHP/MySQL for password verification (to allow access to downloadable files), the machine runs Apache for the HTTP interface, and that’s it.
It’s a standalone PC that’s outside the firewall of my internal LAN.
The only directory accessible without going through the PHP/MySQL password is protected using a .htaccess file
Let her run.
Just saying.
Any system holes will not be patched up. That is not something I could live with.
They will still support XP if you pay. However, it is expensive and not worth it for most people.
Give it a 21 gun salute and bury it.
It deserves an honorable funeral.
Yep. Here the hardware gave out long before XP did.
At that point you'll have a decision to make - the the Apache upgrade important enough to mandate a re-host? You can probably get a Linux distro to run quite comfortably on the same hardware as XP. You'll have to get a little smart on how to lock down (security-wise) whatever distro you choose. Lots of published and online guides for that. I'm not an Apache guy, but I would hope/expect that Apache is Apache, regardless of if it is on XP or Linux so there shouldn't be too much of a learning curve there. Or you could upgrade your hardware at the same time, go with more horsepower and jump to one of the newer Windows releases. They will have a similar (but smaller for you?) learning curve on locking them down. (due to similarities with XP, I would hope)
Yes and no. I'm not a fan of replacing things that don't need to be replaced, but then you should have a plan going forward because eventually you are going to have to replace it or re-mediate some serious issues this machine will cause you. The longer you let it go, the more of a problem you will have replacing it.
Do your research and planning now while there isn't an emergency and work diligently to replace it before it becomes an emergency.
I’ve worked in IT for very large banks for over 10 years. You can count on they will do something very stupid and get it wrong.
Indeed
I would look into running a version of Linux for your web server. And I’m not even a Linux fan for most cases.
I have very expensive but older software that will NOT run on 7 but WILL run in an XP virtual window inside of 7.
I set my older system up with a dual boot between 7 and XP, just in case the virtual window didn’t work but it did just fine.
Easy fix if you need to back track on the version of Windows.
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