About server config and admin
 

Hi folks,

I'm planning to build a LAMP server running Slackware 11.0 as OS. There will be no X-window on the server avoiding risk hole. To overcome the difficulty on searching Internet in case of need I'm prepared to connect a workstation via ssh to remote administrate the server. I have following point unresolved.

If installing webmin, postixadmin, etc. for easy-configuration/administration I still need X-windown unless using command lines throughout configuration/administration. Personally I prefer using command lines but their tutorial not easy to find.

What are your suggestions? Installing X on the server but without it started on boot? Just evoke it when needed? As convenience concerned one PC to work is better than running 2 PCs to do the same job.

If I'm compelled to run X on the server I'll install Xfce4, the light-weight desktop.

Comments and recommendation will be appreciated. TIA

B.R.
satimis

If you connect to the server from a workstation through SSH, you can use X forwarding so that your workstation's X server is used. You still need the X libraries on your server machine, but you never have to start the X server there.

Hi uselpa,

Tks for your advice.

Whether I still need to install xorg and its lib?, similar to this server built for testing. xorg and xfce4, the light weight desktop have been installed but they won't start at boot. I only start them on browsing Internet. AFAIK webmin does not need X. I have no idea about postfixadmin. I'll find it out later. What packages on the server need X? TIA.


Edit:-
If I have full X installed on the server. What will be the advantage for me running remote installation and configuration via a workstation at the beginning, keeping 2 PCs running at the same time. I think I need remote adminstration only at the time when the server is on full production. At the beginning I can do normal installation and configuration on the server.

Please shed me some light. Tks.



B.R.
satimis

Of course you can start X on the server for configuration before you put it life. But it might just be as useful to get the habit to administer it remotely through SSH.

Just to set the vocab straight:
- from your perspective, you have a server which you want to administrate and a client workstation which you use for administration
- for X, it's the other way round: the graphical program that runs on your server is the X client and on your workstation you need an X server

so the packages you need to install on your server are the packages needed for an X client, and on your workstation you need a running X server. But if you don't start the X server on your server machine, I'd just install all of X and make sure it doesn't get started by default.

Give it a try, that will clarify things.

Hi uselpa,

I never distinguish between them. In the past to install X I just installed all of them which I suppose was X server. What is X client? Tks.

Same as my running test-server, I install all of X without gdm. So it won't start at boot, just finishing at runlevel 3.

Others noted with tks.


Edit:-
One consideration coming up on my head. Can I run the server without monitor on remote administration?


B.R.
satimis

Why you think you need X? Just point your browser from another box on your LAN to the server IP : port and that's it.

Yes, you can.

Hi Emerson,

At the beginning befor the server full configured and put to production, X on the server only helps me reading online documents and seeking for help. It avoids running 2 PCs at the same time doing a single job.


B.R.
satimis

Tks.

I suppose turning off the monitor NOT without a monitor connected to the server. If I'm wrong please correct me. Tks.

satimis

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean.:scratch:

Hi uselpa,


1) Whether no monitor is connected to server at the beginning, i.e. booting the server without monitor.

OR

2) have a monitor connected to the server. After booting up the server switch off the monitor


If 1) established I'm interested to learn how to make it.

Tks.


B.R.
satimis

Booting the server without monitor is usual practice, hell, you can boot the server without video card - if your motherboard allows it.

Power cable, ethernet cable, server is all you need! Just make sure the box boots without having to do anything.

Plug it in, turn it on, give about 3 minutes for startup, and then try to SSH from the local network.

And don't bother with X on a server. Webmin and things like that are website interfaces, they don't run on X. I would say don't install those either. Everything a server does can be done through SSH.

Peace,
JimBass