Server - IP Addresses

I am looking into to setting up a small web server; 10-15 of my own sites and possibly 5 external sites (to start). This will be a learning process as it will be something new for me (as you'll be able to tell from my question).

I plan on using Apache/MySQL/PHP. My service provider (cable) will provide me with 5 IP adresss. My question is....

What is my most efficient use of these IPs? Would I need an IP for a mail server? DNS's?...

I would imagine 1 IP would be needed for my PC internet connection.

Any advice?

Thanks,
Andrew

well it depends on how you want to set it up. you could just use 1 ip address and run everything on one box. with apache you can use virtual hosts which is basically having on ip address for numerous sites. if you have a few boxes that will hold different sites, then you can't do this. but if it is all on one box then you can use 1 ip. you can put dns, mail, and the apache on the same box. but if you have a lot of traffic, the split it up. i would suggest using 1 box for dns, 1 box for web, and 1 box for mail. but this is all assuming that you have a lot of traffic.

I plan on just having one box (to start) and high traffic shouldn't be a problem for a while anyway. If/when traffic becomes a problem... I will acquire additional boxes.

I will be using virtual hosting for the sites.

So, with only one box and 5 IP addresses what would be the most efficient setup. I will be using 1 IP for personal use... what should I do with the remaining four?

Do I need 2 IP's for DNS? Aren't 2 DNSs required when registering domains?

Use 2 IPs for nameservers and 1 for mail's smtp like mail.yourdomain.com. To be RFC compliance, your mail.yourdomain.com should not be a CNAME or lower priority of an A record. What I am saying is, if you have multiple A records all pointing to the same IP as your mail.yourdomain.com, give mail.yourdomain.com the highest priority. Then use the 2 remaining IPs for whatever purpose.