Hi there -

I am truly a newbie to Linux. I am setting up a small server-client network at work (1 server, 3 wired clients, 3 wired network printers, and 1 802.11g tablet PC). The clients will be running versions of, dare I say, WinXP. I have a D-Link router/wireless gateway (DI-524) and an 8-port unmanaged switch (DSS-8+).

I would like to use linux for my server and I have Suse 9.2 Pro. May I install this on the server and will it be able to setup my network as described without much difficulty? Will there be seamless networking among the various clients and the servers? Does Suse 9.2 have "wizards" to help with setting up a small network, like in WinXP? I am very interested in using linux for the server b/c of its stability and lessened degree of vulnerability to outside attack.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

You can do all that .. depends what you are looking for in a "server"
You can set it up 2 ways .. one is to use work groups ... no central login .. i.e. you login to each PC .. and each PC has the user authentication.
Other is to use Samaba aas the equi. of domanin controller and have it maintain the login's ..
Using Samaba as a server is easy .. I don't know if the scripts exist for the domain-controller function .. but there is something called webmin which has additional utilities.

I don't think there is an exchange eq. so your outlooks won't have a centralized place to work from.. but other that that it should work fine.
You can certainly setup disk space on the server for each login (from Win machines) ..etc. etc.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply, but as I stated I'm a Linux newbie and this Unix/Linux coding/programs you refer to are beyond my understanding.

Any idea on how to find a good Linux networking person in the Salt Lake City area.