Linux For Server Environment?

pelvis_3

pelvis_3

HWF Member For Life
Hi all,
Sorry if this has been asked before!

I'm looking for a Linux OS to use solely as a internet & file server that can be administered through the network. Ideally it'll have to run on a Celeron 600, 190MB RAM and a 20GB HDD, fairly user friendly and pretty simple to set up.
BTW: It's not going to be shared with other PC's except my own!

Any suggestions appreciated :cool:
pelvis_3
 
Any Linux distro can do what you want to do. I like Mandriva, Suse, and CentOS. All three are free and well supported. If you know Linux well enough to get around without a GUI, you should go that route with a server to save memory and CPU cycles. If you don't feel comfortable without a GUI, I recommend installing a light window manager like WM, IceWM, TWM, etc, but not having it start up with the OS. Instead, log in to your account through a terminal and type startx to call the GUI when you need it. If you need any further help, you know the drill. :)

P.S. - By "internet & file server", what exactly do you mean? Internet as in web server, or router? File server as in SMB, NFS, FTP...?
 
No. i'm not exactly comfortable without a GUI YET. But i'm looking at controlling the server throught the network VIA a web bowser like IP Cop and Smoothwall!

I probably should have explained it more clearly first time round, but by "internet & file server" i mean, i will have the internet hooked up to the server and access it through my computer, and can store and share files on the server aswell!

Thanks again
pelvis_3
 
Just so I understand you clearly, do you mean to be able to access your files over the Internet, or only in your local area network?
 
I want to access my files over the network, and want the server to provide me with the internet!
I hope i've made myself as clear as possible :)
 
pelvis_3 said:
I want to access my files over the network, and want the server to provide me with the internet!
I hope i've made myself as clear as possible :)
Click to expand...
Yes, you are clear. :) However, I do not recommend that a file server and an edge router ever be the same system. It's just not a good idea. If I was you, I'd dedicate an entire system to firewalling and an entire system to serving files. If you don't have enough for both, pick whichever feature will benefit you the most and implement that. If in the end you do decide to go the "all eggs in one basket" route anyway, any Linux distro can do that. Even IPCop, by using certain addons.

Edit: almost forgot the URL. IPCop Addon Server here, Samba Server Addon here (note the huge flashing warnings).
 
I think i may do that, as it sounds easier and already have an IP Cop machine running! I think i may give CentOS a go :cool:
I'll buy a couple of extra LAN cards tomorrow and i'll report back when it's set up or if i have any further problems!

Thanks for the help AT:)

EDIT: Thanks for the URL's!
I'll be sure to check those out thouroughly.
P.S - That flashing text warning is extremely annoying!
 
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