If you are a PHP web developer then AMP ( Apache, Mysql, PHP ) server is something you have to set up in any case.

Let's learn how to set up the LAMP server in Debian 6. When you just have got a debian which is in pristine condition, even the memory footprint will be around 70 MBs.

That's how Debian is super optimised. So if you are getting yourself a VPS with 512 MB RAM, go for Debian 6 which is pretty decent.

Assuming the fact that you are logged in using super user / root , first command to shoot is: