[arch-general] need advices for the perfect web toolbox

Dear list, currently following the Sun certified web component developer course, I want to set up a http web server @ home to practice. I plan to virtualize a Arch server on my Arch box. I know we can talk about pro/con for hours, but I am interested in knowing your advices about the following apps: -http server : Apache or Nginx (curious to test the later) -container for my servlets : Tomcat ? -secure ftp server : ??? maybe a mail server: ??? I guess ssh will be the best way to talk to the server. Maybe other stuffs I forgot? What is the most common and simple way to secure the whole stuff without loosing too much responsiveness? Thank you for your advices. Regards.