Linux Linux as a server platform

What linux distro would be best for a server platform and what advantages does it have. Iam looking to get a server set-up using linux

Richman

 

i think you should narrow it down slightly as to what you want the server to do, file share, print share, game server, router, FTP. Tell us what you would like it do and I'm sure someone will have a better idea.

 

slack/gentoo/debian/freebsd

 

Try e-smith, it's got a simple setup, and a web based admin, and includes A web server, e-mail server and allows all the user account toys you could want.

Just download the iso and burn it to CD.


www.e-smith.org

 

I would like it to be a ftp/web and file server really.

i want something i have control over tho not automated if u get my meaning.

Richman

 

Yep, i'd avoid those web controlled things too. Usually riddled with security issues! As i said, slack/gentoo/debian/freebsd

 

I have a web/ftp/file/print server. I've run it on both Debian and Slackware. Slackware seemed to be much easier to get everything setup on. But of course I had played with Debian for about 4 months before trying it so I was more experienced by the time I started using slack....that could have had something to do with it.

 

i think something like devian or slackware would be my best oprion, are these gui's or command line programmes? Iam coming from windows so it will prob be a huge culture shock.

Richman

 

web/ftp/file - all CLi

 

I'm going to be setting up a Linux server over the summer. I'm hoping to use Slackware with the lastest stable 2.6 kernel to run Apache, PHP, OpenSSL, MySQL, ProFTPD and Samba.

 

I'd go for Debian myself. Can be a bit difficult to setup but once it's done admin is sooo easy! You can install XFree (this is the GUI environment) but if you feel hardcore, it can all be done on CLI.

 

The first time I set everything up I was strictly a GUI user. Now I've become more refined (pronounced geek) and do everything from the command line.

 

so for a guy who is coming from wondows what distro would you say,

Richman

 

It doesn't really matter richman. Just pick one and see how it goes!

 

yea i suppose ur right if it all goes pete tong i can always format and start again

Edit: iam thinking of getting slackware, will i be able to remote in from a windows machine to manage my linux server box, and where can i find information about how to set up the diffrent parts like networking and sharing folders ect ect ect

Richman

 

Yep, you can ssh or telnet in from your windows boxen using something like putty. For the guides, a quick google should bring up all you need to know.

 

cheers j4ck i take it that the slackware software will run on my amd athlon 1800 box

i will have to learn about remoting in as a rule as this will be my only way of administrating the box.

Richman

 

Yeah slacky will easily run on your 1800+ [the minimum spec requirements are surprisingly low]

Putty is extremely straightforward, type in the ip address [or hostname] of the machine and connect then log in as whichever user you like.

 

and putty will run on both the win box and the linux box?

do u have any screenies of slacky anywhere.

Richman

 

Putty doesnt need to be installed in the nix box, just the windows. You need to have ssh/telnet available on the nix box though, I think it's enabled by default [may be wrong, it's been a while since I installed slacky]

Screenshots is a vague question. If you're running cli, theyre pretty pointless . If you want gui, it depends on what you want to use; KDE, GNOME, black/fluxbox etc etc, there are many to choose from. If it's going to be a server, there's not a huge amount of point in using gui imho. Especially if you're not going to have a monitor attached.