Linux Which distribution is best as server on PentiumII 233?

Hi guys and gals,

I'm a complete n00b when it comes to Linux. I've tinkered around with a SuSe version a while back (version 6 when it was just new I think ), but couldn't get my WinSoftmodem to work with it (duh).

Anyway, my parents have just bought a new rig and I'm about to become the new owner of their old PII 233. It's got 32MB RAM (maybe I can find some more somewhere, though I'm not going to fork over a lot of money for that) and a 2GB harddisk which could be used just for Linux, since I'm planning on putting 1 80GB and 2 120GB Maxtor's in as the networkshares.
I'd like to use it as a fileserver and maybe a mailserver (though not at first, so it's not important just yet).
It would be perfect if I could just put it in the attic and "forget" about it. Maybe have it power-up when needed and power-off after an hour of not being used, though I doubt that an old mobo/nic combo would support that. Even better if I could acces and control it from my main rig (running WindowsXP).

I guess I'm looking for a networking/filesharing oriented distribution, which is easy to install (preferably with a graphic interface, since I am a n00b ) and which will run smoothly with just 32 Megs of memory.

I read the faq/manual at the top of this forum, but I got a bit lost. I'm hoping you guru's can/will help me on my way here...

Sir George

 

If you install Webmin on the Linux machine, you can pretty much run it from any other computer on the network through the browser.

I use Mandrake because that's what was available when I went to the store.
Samba is what you'll need for file sharing. Other's say it's easy to configure. I am having problems getting it to talk to W98.

 

I don't mind downloading, so I presume that gives me somewhat more options? I would have to think hard anyway on where to buy a Linux distribution in a shop near me. There's only a couple of computershops and they mostly deal in mainstream hard- and software Maybe the bookshop has 1 or 2 verisons (they sell some software as well), but that would probably be just RedHat and/or SuSe. I'd think they've bloated beyond a PII 233 by now?

And are Webmin and Samba part of Linux, or do I have to get them seperately somewhere? I'm new to running a dedicated server as well, if you hadn't guessed; up until now I just share some folders on my main rig since that's running most of the time anyway, but I haven't done anything beyond that...

Sir George

 

Samba and Webmin should be included in a pre-packaged version. Not sure about a downloaded version but if they're not, both are avilable as free downloads.

Any version is going to run fine on a PII. My server is a PII 300mhz. I've loaded it with ram but the biggest performance gain came from a 7200rpm hd.

 

Try SME Server it does all you want click here, I had a PII 266 with 64mb running fine, you may have to add another 32mb though.

 

Thanks for the relplies so far. I'm reading a lot about the different distro's. Hadn't read about SME yet, but will start with that this afternoon. It added another choice though ; I was down to Mandrake, Debian or Slackware, so now I have another contester to consider...

I hope to get the pc this weekend (5 more days) and be able to start installing then

Sir George

 

It's a built distro to act as an email server with samba sharing for file and print sharing and ftp server and with or without router/firewall parts.
It has a web interface which allows you to set up shares and email accounts etc. You really don't have to know too much about linux if you don't want to.

 

Hmm, must say I like the look and sound of SME. However, I've tried all their download locations and they either don't work or they're very slow and I loose my connection real quick (speed ± 2kbps and they stop at ± 300kb). I'll try a search on eMule, but if that doesn't work either I'll just stick with either Mandrake or Slackware.

Of course, if you know a good mirrior, I'm still interested...

Thanks for the support anyway. I'll let you guys know when I've got her up and running (or not ).

Sir George

 

I think had the same problem (may have been a different download cant remember 100%) but I think I used stardownload or put the link into a ftp programme and it worked fine.
Also if you can find a copy of last months linux format it was on there, worse comes to worse I could put it on a ftp server for you but my upload is 30k/s so it would be an overnight download if you want it.

 

eMule has just found sources. It usually takes a couple of days after that, but that's ok. If that doesn't work I'll get me a downloadmanager or a ftp-program. Though I appreciate the offer

Cheers, Sir George

 

Web/FTP Server!

I have an old Intell P II and I am going to use Red Hat Linux 9 to make a web/ftp server, so people can have websites with no ******* ads for FREE!!