Hi

I,m looking for help to configure and test out a Linux Server, which is based on a Linux DOM (i.e. no access to its file system). The server has a lot of functionality (i.e. email, web server, DNS, FTP, File server to name a few) and is much more cost effective in comparison to a windows based system. I should say that all our IT kit we have (PCs / laptops) is windows based, and we are nervous that we may find compatibility issues with the Linux System. For example can we still use Outlook as our e-mail clients??

My intention is to quickly get the server up and running, and begin to examine its features to gain familiarity, and assess the possibility of using the Server, initially for our email requirements. i.e. as our in house e-mail server.

Currently a third party hosts our mail and MX records, and we (Outlook) connects to their site to retrieve mail.

The Server is installed with Postfix as its email server, but because i have no access to the file system i am unable to take advantage of the configuration information already in the public domain, as they all seem to require some modification of system configuration files.

The server is only accessible via its IP address via a secure connection using a web browser e.g. https: //192.168.1.99:1111 and this allows access to the Servers GUI. A monitor and keyboard connected directly to the server provides basic functionality directly on the server e.g. reboot, network settings, shutdown, reset admin password - that sort of thing.

Enough information for now i think - initially i require help to configure the e-mail servers setting page. I need some guidance on what is required to complete this window.

Items asked for

1) Accept mail by following domains - e.g.testdomain.com
2) Mail size limitation KB - fairly straight forward
3) Deliver mail via a relay host - dont know whats this is about
4) Dynamic spanner blocking - enable or not
5) Enable authentication and security layer (SASL) - enable or not
6) Enable secure connection (SSL) - enable or not
7) Allow to relay mail from IP address - dont know what this is about
8) Blocking by from ??
9) Blocking by subject
10 Allow / Deny e-mail from listed reversed IP address - is this required?


Many thanks

Hi,

i'm not sure what you really looking for. Are you looking for help on specific topics or for someone doing the complete configuration.

Based on your knowledge you should think about hiring a freelancer doing configuration on your server.

A Centos Linux distribution coupled with Virtualmin will setup a flawless rock solid server with pretty much everything you'll ever need.

There is a GPL version of Virtualmin but the commercial version is so reasonably priced and they are so helpful in the forums it is worth every penny.

You can try the GPL version easily if you visit http://www.webmin.com then in the top menu click virtualmin then on the left click install script.

If you download Centos at http://www.centos.org/ Run through the default Centos install not worrying about all the extra stuff during the install.

Then run the virtualmin install script and it will magically setup absolutely everything which you can then explore and learn.

I started out with webmin years ago on a server that was setup for us. It is the most helpful software on the planet to manage linux servers.

Since then it has gotton so rich with admin featurs and easy to learn and use I cannot imagine using any other server control software.

If you have questions feel free to contact me at http://www.wolgamot.com

Thanks for this input

In terms of the server, unfortunately, we are pretty much stuck with what we have, and dont anticipate being able to change that - but thanks anyway for your suggestion and comment. It actually sounds very interesting and i may download it and try it out myself. I guess it can be installed on virtual PC for evaluation purposes?

With regard to hiring a free-lancer to do the configuration on the server. This may be the way we will progress, as this will allow us to get a flying start on the Server evaluation, and also provide the opportunity for me to pick the guys brain and fill in my knowledge gap.

Best regards....

After the free-lancer gets your server setup, make sure to use something like Acronis True Image to create a disc image of the final working server so if your learning curve travels lead you to make a mistake, you can easily restore a working server without re-hiring the tech to set it up again.

I mention True Image because it has a boot disc with the backup software on the boot disc so you can use the boot disc to not only restore a system but also create a disc image.

Another great disc imaging tool is put out by Terabyte Unlimited. Really worth every penny for the bundle.

Also, you may want to use webmin on the server without Virtualmin. This will ease in the management of the server through a web interface either locally across the lan or remotely over the internet and gives a pretty good picture of the guts of the server yet a nice web interface to ease your learning curve.

If you do not have VMWare and Microsoft's virtual PC has problems running the Linux OS give VirtualBox a try. It's Open Source and Free and runs on Windows or Linux.

A Centos/Virtualmin setup under a Windows VirtualBox VM Host works great.

The scenario you describe above is similar to how I started out. I hired a tech/acquaintance to setup Redhat 7.3 way back when Redhat 7.3 was a new distro :-) I imaged the hard drive so if I messed it up I could get it up and running again.

Another Tech turned me on to Webmin. Webmin was the single most important server management tool in my Linux evolution.

Best of luck...

Thanks for this - loads of information to digest.

I can only assume that Virtualmin and webmin do the same job, hence no need to install both.

Good thinking re a disc image, although i guess if im running under a windows virtual box then its more a case of coping the virtual device file.

I've not heard of VirtualBox previously, but will keep this in mind if i have any issue with virtual PC.

You convince me that webmin is my best option.

On a general note, this new experience has my excited - to be looking at new things, and hope that i can get a better feel and understanding for setting up servers, and finding more about registering domain names, MX records, e-mail servers, web servers, DDNS and possibly how i can make use of SQL.

Thanks for your assistance, and hope i can still take advantage of your offer of assistance if i get stuck, which you mentioned from one of your previous posts.

Thanks again

Webmin is good if you already have a server setup eg. by your freelancer. It can easily be installed and used to manage what is already there.

The virtualmin install script does absolutely everything. It includes webmin but virtualmin sets up email, and LAMP server all at once as well as making it easy to deploy virtual servers.

Basically it sets up a hosting-service server environment.

Exactly. In a VM, clone your base system file and work with the clone then create snapshots of the clone and/or clone the clone to have a way to back out of an error.

Check out the new ZenServer5 too for virtualization. Here is an article.

There is also vmware's esx server. All these are free and work well with linux vm's under a windows host.

Virtualbox is a little tricky but it works well also.

It will be overwhelming at first but keep at it. It takes a while to grasp everything.

Anytime... Just hang onto my contact info :-)

Thanks for your assistance and advise