hi thanks for the reply but i have got it working now just couldn't get any access from outside ips i just changed the LAN settings and can now access my server from outside now. I know the guys who built my server installed centos 5 on it but am not sure what also came with this not sure if it has php installed sql or a mail server do you know how i can check these things out?. Sorry but i have never owed a server before never used linux before I am adept at php programming thats about it