Having no luck getting Server working Or at least, I think I am having none

Question

I bought a mac mini preloaded with 10.6 server, it has since been reformatted and had 10.6 reinstalled easily 30 times. I have gotten a business class line form Time Warner, with a static IP. I have gotten Server installed, where I get green lights in Server Admin, but I can not access a web page, nor get out via Safari running on the server.
I have set up the firewall, DNS and the web servers, (all green lighted), no go.
Couple of questions might help clear up some of my confusion:
Do I need a dedicated Domain to access my server? (I have a domain pointing to the server now, I have changed the DNS records on my web host to point the domain to my Static IP).
Should I be able to get out to the internet via the server box? (I am using the ability to surf to a web page as an indicator). I have gone so far as to set the firewall up, but allow any connections to any port.
Am I required to use my broadband providers DNS servers? I have been steered towards OpenDNS and I much prefer them, could Time Warner be blocking that?
I have called Time Warner and they have checked the modem, and they are saying everything is good to that point, the server is my headache (And it is).
If I have the "assistant" run through it's thing, I get good green lights to the ISP but fail at the internet.
If I can get VPN running, can someone theoretically then get in and make the server work? If so, can anyone tell me what I need to do to get VPN running? (It is asking for starting and ending IP's, I have no idea).
If anyone is willing to do the setup, by all means, let me know.

Answer 1

The rules for running a server are a little different from those of a client.
That said it seems like your problems hinge on basic network connectivity, so you should focus on that first before you sorry about getting any of the services running.
The problem, though, is that's somewhat of a catch-22 problem, especially for your first server.
Without knowing more details about your setup I'm going to guess that your current problem hinges on DNS. You will need a DNS server in your LAN to access LAN resources, and by default Mac OS X Server might be trying to use itself for DNS resolution. If you haven't started/configured the DNS server that could fail, and could explain why you can't get to the greater internet.
So start off by enabling the DNS service - you don't need to do any configuration yet - the default should be sufficient for the server to process queries from itself, and may resolve your current problem.
Moving forwards, though, you'll probably want to configure this DNS server with all the details about your LAN network, and point your LAN clients to it. This will forego using GoogleDNS, OpenDNS, etc. (although you could still use them as forwarders, but that's getting ahead of the game).
If your problem isn't DNS then it's probably either an IP address or default router issue. What IP address did you give the server? are you sure it's valid for your LAN? What default router address did you specify? Is that the address of your Time Warner router? something else?
The above notwithstanding, I'll get to your specific questions:
Do I need a dedicated Domain to access my server?
No, but it's sometimes useful, depending on what you want your server to do.
I have a domain pointing to the server now, I have changed the DNS records on my web host to point the domain to my Static IP
I wouldn't do this until your server is ready. There's no reason for public users to get to your server at this point. Running your own DNS server in your LAN is sufficient for your current needs.
Should I be able to get out to the internet via the server box? (I am using the ability to surf to a web page as an indicator).
Yes, if your IP address, default router and DNS server addresses are all valid (see above)
I have gone so far as to set the firewall up, but allow any connections to any port.
If you're using private IP addresses in your LAN, turn off the firewall.
Am I required to use my broadband providers DNS servers?
On the contrary, in most cases you are required to NOT use your broadband provider's DNS servers.
I have been steered towards OpenDNS and I much prefer them, could Time Warner be blocking that?
Unlikely. See above.
If I have the "assistant" run through it's thing, I get good green lights to the ISP but fail at the internet.
This hints at DNS.
If I can get VPN running, can someone theoretically then get in and make the server work?
Sure, although you should be clear about what it is you want someone to do. Even for an experienced admin, setting up a server could be a 5 minute job, or a lifetime's journey depending on what it is you want your server to do.
If so, can anyone tell me what I need to do to get VPN running? (It is asking for starting and ending IP's, I have no idea).
Well, if you're planning on using the VPN service built into Mac OS X Server then you need to get this machine talking to the internet... It's hard to do that remotely