What have changed when I want to run a server?

Hello,
As you know I've left Kal, but today just wanted to check what have changed till time when I was making servers about year ago ;) and make test server only only for fun

When I wanted to make server I was using:
- Server files, capable with Windows XP
- MSSQL 2000 working on Windows only too
- Admin Tool (greetz for Yareczek)
- Bakabug's old launcher ;)
- PK Swordcrypt
- Gtx to DDS converter.
- Eventually hex-editor

That was all, many things were still undiscovered, like changing mesh of armors, weapon dissapearing after mix or reseting stats.

I see there is many innovations, but now when I dont have this all Kal knowledge its hard for me to find all usefull tools.

When I want to start server what should I use?
What tools are common today for setuping, configuring, modding server which make them maybe not much easier, but much faster ;).