Hi,
I'm very new to Linux and am going to do my first Linux installation. I'm doing this for a work related project and is very important for me to get it right.

I'm currently running a Windows 7, 64 bit on my machine. I have 6 GB of RAM and Intel(R)Core(TM)i5-2300 CPU@ 2.80GHz 2.80GHz.

What I have to do is:
1. Install a Linux Operating system without a GUI (no Xorg)
2. Install 9 programs in this environment. These programs are created by my company and while installing them a PostgreSQL database server will be installed and for the application server the default installation process will use the default Tomcat or Jetty server provided with each application
3. When the installation is done, I have to put Apache in front of the tomcat containers such that:
localhost/ goes to first program
localhost/wiki goes to Second Program
localhost/source goes to Third Program
localhost/builds goes to Fourth Program
localhost/webdav goes to a webdav partition ( provided by apache module )

( any host name will do- localhost, something.localhost, somethingelse.com )

My questions are:
1. Which Linux operating system should I use, I myself felt comfortable with Ubuntu, but does Ubuntu support what I want to do?
2. I want to install Ubuntu alongside my Windows 7. So, should I run the Windows Installer for Ubuntu Desktop: http://www.ubuntu.com/download/deskt...dows-installer or for what I want to do I should install the server version?
3. Does Ubuntu not have a GUI? or is there an option to not install it?
4. Though I'm still very far from this step, I wonder how difficult it is to bring Apache in front of Tomcat?
5. I have a very limited time, so any other advice or recommendation that can help me with this process is highly appreciated.

I truly appreciate your help.

I see no problem with doing your job in Ubuntu. You just need base system, Postgres and Apache.

It is possible to install Ubuntu without GUI. I would recommend to start the installation from bootable CD/DVD, not from within Windows. If you choose "alternate install" or "server" CD you will have choice what will be installed.

In your situation I would rather install GUI - it will ease the maintenance of the system. Even if you have some desktop environment installed, you still can boot directly to CLI, and start the X system only when needed, then stop it.

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First off, let me state i've zero experience with servers.
Here's my tip though, if this stuff is criticle, and you need it to be reliable, i wouldn't use Ubuntu. Use one of the natorious stable distros, such as Centos, Debian or Slackware.

Ubuntu is fair Good Operating system,Which supports your need .Any way Choose ubuntu 12.04 LTS for long time support


Its very easy to integrate Apache with Tomcat using Mod jk (Tomcat Connector).These article deals in integrating Apache and Tomcat in ubuntu


http://blog.rajeevsharma.in/2010/02/...che-22-in.html

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My 2 cents: CentOS, Slackware or Fedora.
But for your projects, every distro is good.

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Fedora on a server ???
NO WAY
the life span is WAY WAY WAY too short at 13 months
you would HAVE to REINSTALL the operating system and ALL programs EVERY 6 MONTHS with each new version


if you want to use a rpm based OS
for a WORK business related server
BUY a REHL6.3 license
(yes it is expensive - but worth it $349 up to $6,498)
https://www.redhat.com/apps/store/server/
and install it

but relying on a Never used linux person to set up a LAMP stack is a DISASTER waiting to happen

a bit of advice
it is ROYALLY EASY to set up a VERY VERY INSECURE server
and is is a bit hard to set up a LOCKED DOWN server

so READ and reread ALL the documentation

Think of it this way
this IS a collage final exam
and the Prof has ONLY one test and it is a PASS / FAIL
you MUST get a 4.0

treat installing a server OS that way

1 members found this post helpful.

its better to use CentOS on behalf of RedHat and its worth for your work.

well it's your opinion
But for the project of the fist post, buy a license is without sense.

If we are talking about NOT mission critical, NOT support need, little server for your job, then yes every distro can go well

Thank you all so much!
Dr_Agon, so when installing Ubuntu Server version from a DVD I assume it gives me the option to install or not install the GUI and you are suggesting taht even if I'm not planning/supposed to use it it's better to have it installed so it gives me a choice to use it in case I'm stuck somewhere. Am I right?

Knightron, Kooru, Dushyantgohil I was trying to choose between CentOS but honestly all those files that I saw in the Mirroring sites! -if I'm right_ scared me. For someone who has never installed Linux- Well! my last installation was in 2002 from a DVD and I don't even remember which Linux it was!- Ubuntu looked simpler and more straight forward, but I will for sure install CentOS after this project for personal experience.

Arun5002, thanks for the article link.

JohnVV thank you very much for your advice and I wish I had that budget but unfortunately I don't! and I know it's a tough project but you saying it'll be a disaster makes me want to never even start it! I'm very happy that I found and joined this forum at least so I can ask you guys for help!

Thank you all again, I'm backing up and will start the installation in an hour or so, I will definitely come back here and post more questions along the way.
Wish me luck!

I think I'd run a few distro's on a virtual machine on top of windows 7. No need to bork the install for this test.

So, I better install a VirtualBox for this, Is VirtualBox teh best option for a VM?
Also based on this:

What I have to do is:
1. Install a Linux Operating system without a GUI (no Xorg)
2. Install 9 programs in this environment. These programs are created by my company and while installing them a PostgreSQL database server will be installed and for the application server the default installation process will use the default Tomcat or Jetty server provided with each application
3. When the installation is done, I have to put Apache in front of the tomcat containers such that:
localhost/ goes to first program
localhost/wiki goes to Second Program
localhost/source goes to Third Program
localhost/builds goes to Fourth Program
localhost/webdav goes to a webdav partition ( provided by apache module )

( any host name will do- localhost, something.localhost, somethingelse.com )

Should I choose LAMP Server when installing or its better not select any thing at this stage?

Thanks.

Also, If I want to install it along side Windows which one of these should I choose:
1) Guided-Use entire disk
2)Guided-Use entire disk and set up LVM
3)Guided-Use entire disk and set up encrypted LVM
4)Manual

Use a Sandbox...

I would suggest, as an alternative to a virtual installation, that you get hold of an older PC and install one or more versions of linux(Ubuntu LTS, CentOS, etc.) on it to familiarize yourself with their operation.

In addition, you might use this PC to duplicate the installation running your applications, for practice, for experience, and for making trial runs before hand.

Thereby you get to make any first mistakes without incurring the consequences there would be if you were to make them on your critical working installation.

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A note...

If you have to change a Windows 7 partition, you should use the Windows 7 Disk Manager. Otherwise, Windows 7 may not boot unless you do some repairs.

If you install Ubuntu, be careful of what the installation process proposes as a partitioning scheme. The partitioning GUI isn't very intuitive and it isn't very clear exactly what partitioning scheme is about to executed. What you think you're choosing may not be what you're getting.

You can use the Internet to help you with a guide, but take care.

As argued before, a machine to try things out on is a good thing to have. Luck.

1 members found this post helpful.

Thank you very much for the warning about the Windows 7 boot problem that I might face, I'm making a back up of every thing to be safe, but definitely don't want to get in trouble with my Windows!
Thanks for your helpful responses.