Building a web server (am I on the right tracks)

[upnorthdave]

Hi,
I have looked over various searches and think I am going down the right path.
I am a new user of Linux so experince is limited.
I need to build a web server for a proof of concept, this is for a project I am working on for my business.
I have bought a HP dl380 G4 server (oldish but hopefully good enough for the tests).
I have downloaded and installed Unbuntu 10.04 and then downloaded the GUI (becasue I find the gui easier for the moment).. So far so good.
I would like to install some software on it that would allow me to run 3 seperate websites (a little like WHM for instace). Would Apache be the best way to go for this? I think Apache is part of the install of Ubuntu so I guess I will just need the GUI for it.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Dave
ps
Should the project be a sucsess then we will outsource the hardware site of the project to a hosting company or buy a more up todate server

Thanks

[Bemk]

Easiest way to set up a basic server in my opinion is to go with Debian based (making Ubuntu a good choice), doing sudo tasksel and selecting the lamp option.

It's not the most fun option, but if you want to see a result quickly it's the way to go.
All that remains is setting up the site configuration file for Apache to host the 2 other sites.

[elija]

Here's a tutorial on setting up a good development environment which can also be used on a live server, if you have root access. It's based on LMDE but should be exactly the same for Debian.

[upnorthdave]

Many thanks for the advice and links.

Dave