I am a student in the Linux OS class at ITT Tech. We are going to build a box for a server as the class project. I have only one chapter on networking and obviously very little knowledge of what to do or where to start. Can anybody give me any pointers? If I have included to much info. and need to decrease it, please let me know!

What's the server for? Why are you doing it as a Linux OS? Is this a graded project, or just a "hey, this is fun" project.

The only pointer I can give you is think of this as a different OS. It's not Windows, and if you can realize that, it'll be fine.

do you get to pick hardware to use? or is it like 'use this computer'? do you get to pick a linux distribution? do you get to install it, or is it already installed? and as ARC1450 asked, what services will the computer be serving? DHCP server, webserver, ftp server, etc, ? whats the current state of the computer now?

since this is in the networking subforum im assuming its more of a hardware question, ie wiring, no? if so provide more details about how it is 'supposed' to be setup (from the guidelines if any).

thanks and good luck

http://www.tldp.org is a good place for a quick start.

Google for HOWTOs on what you want to do. Or if you have any specific questions, do ask.

It is a graded project. The school made a mistake and ordered a Fedora disk with a Mandrake book. Since this occured there is no longer a specified curriculum. Therefore the project is our only assignment to pass the class. We are supposed to create a Linux box with the possibility of an intranet within the class itself. We do use primarily the same computers due to personal preference. Everything is done on our hard drives though, so it doesn't matter what PC we use. I am using Fedora with web server, ftp, and we are learning about the http, tcp/ip, etc. Keep in mind that I am the only 2nd quarter student in the class. The other students are either 5th or 6th quarter students who have had previous networking classes. I have not! I did attend Heald for 3 quarters, but when I started at ITT I decided to basically start from the beginning again because it was for Computer Networking Systems (major) and at Heald my major was simply Computer Information Technology, which is the broad study at ITT with majors. If that makes any sense.
Fedora is already installed on the hard drive that was distributed to students. I have no idea how to create a box let alone what all is entailed in a server. I do know that a box is a server or am I wrong? I do believe that there is a DCHP server, but before I continue I'll need to verify this. Today is Sat. and my Linux class is Wed. I'll will answer all questions posted at that time. Also keep in mind that my home computer is three computers in one, with Win 98 Se and bad sectors. So, I am unable to use the net on my home PC. I apologize if my questions are not complete or make no sense to you all, but I'm sure you expect that from a newbie. So, bare with me and I will try to keep on top of your questions to best of my ability/knowledge and my hardware capabilities. Thank you all so much. I hope I did help to answer a couple of questions.

Thank you all for your help. The details I explained in my last posting are still true. We are using our own HD's to install and work with. I am now attempting to unzip or decompress the above mentioned file download. I am unfamiliar with the syntax of the Linux-Fedora terminal. According to our book, the following command is what is to be used to decompress:
# gunzip <httpd-2_0*.tar.gz | tar xvf -
This is exactly as it is written in the book, but I am still having trouble with it. I've tried to alter the syntax as much as possible and the only message I get is invalid directory or command not found! As well as bash:no such file or directory found! Please help!

tar -xzvf fileName.tar.gz

Here is what the problem is besides the fact that I am not used to Linux. When we received our book for the class. The headquarter office of ITT-Tech ordered the wrong book with the Fedora CD. The book is for Mandrake. So, not only am I ignorant to Linux, but I am screwed because we have to work around this issue and attempt to make this box. Thank you all for all of your help, I think that I need to address this issue through my school!