Hello,
I am new to the Linux community. I am quite competent on windows base, but am tired of the high cost of software and all of the bugs that come along with it. Need some recommendation on Distro for 3 servers that I am going to be setting up. I have included the SPECS for each machine.
This is my current plan

SERVER #1 (FILE SERVER)

PENTIUM 4 2.66Ghz PROCESSOR
512MB RAM
CURRENTLY 80 GIG HD IDE

PLANNED UPGRADE TO EXPAND TO
2x 500 GB HARDDRIVE
1x 250 GB HARDDRIVE
1GIG RAM


ALSO HAS TO SUPPORT ACCESS FOR WINDOWS AND REMOTE ACCESS ON THE LINUX SIDE FOR ADMINISTRATION PURPOSES

SERVER#2 (EMAIL SERVER)
THIS IS A HOME EMAIL SERVER MAX OF 25 IF I START HOSTING FOR MY EXTENDED FAMILY AND FRIENDS THIS ONE IS PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD AND SHOULD BE A VERY GOOD MAIL SERVER AS LONG AS I DON'T OVERLOAD IT. I HAVE ALREADY STRIPPED IT DOWN TO THE MINIMUM COMPONENTS OF THE HARD-DRIVES, CD-ROM A NIC, AND GRAPHICS CARD

PENTIUM 2 350 Mhz
256MB RAM UPGRADING TO THE MAK OF 384
has a 10 GB HD and a 40GB HD
plann on using the 10 GB for the operating system and mail system aND the 40 GB for the databases.

GOING TO USE EITHER SENDMAIL OR QMAIL. Some input on your experiences would be helpful.

SERVER #3 (WEB SERVER/(DNS SERVER/OR DYNAMINIC DNS UPDATER/FIREWALL FOR THE REST OF THE NETWORK),MY ISP WANTS TO CHARGE AN ARM AND A LEG FOR A STATIC IP SO I NEED TO BE ABLE TO UPDATE MY IP WITH MY DOMAIN HOSTING I AM GOING TO PUT IN A SUPPORT TICKET TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANYTHING FOR LINUX. THIS IS BY FAR THE MORE CONFUSING OF THE 3 AND THE ONE THAT PROBABLY NEEDS TO BE CONFIGURED FIRST.

Pentium 4 3.00Ghz
1.5GB RAM UPGRADING TO 2GB

150GB HARD DRIVE
150GB HARD DRIVE

OLD DEPENDABLE, I HAVE HAD THIS TOWER FOR AWHILE AND HAS BEEN A GREAT FRIEND I RECENTLY CONVERTED IT TO A WINDOWS SERVER AND HAS MADE LIFE MUCH EASIER AND HAS PERFORMED LIKE A CHAMP OTHER THAN IT BEING EXPENSIVE WINDOWS SOFTWARE

I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING AT MANDRAKE FOR THE DISTRIBUTION FOR ALL OF THESE MACHINES BUT WOULD LIKE SOME INPUT.

GOOGLE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING IN THE FACT THAT I AM NEW TO LINUX
AND DON'T UNDERSTAND A LOT OF THE LINGO.

SKI

I tend to use ClarkConnect (clarkconnect.com) for servers... It's pretty light, and easily installed, and has a web-based config/admin system so the servers can be run without a monitor/mouse/keyboard. You can login directly to the server if you want, but since it's all command line, logging-in over the network with SSH is easier.

CC is built on Centos (centos.org), which is built from Red Hat source-code. It can act as a file server (using Samba for Windows access), a web server (using Apache), an e-mail server, a router/firewall/DHCP server, and more. I even used one CC install as an internet map server. The only sticky point might be the number of e-mail accounts you can have... The free version only allows 10.

Of course, I do sit on the Red Hat side of the spectrum. I've used Red Hat since version 5, and keep coming back to it.

For servers I always recommend CentOS. www.centos.org/ I use CentOS 5.1 currently, and use it for everything. It can do everything you are asking. For dynamic DNS i would go with dyndns.com. You can use one of the update clients listed at https://www.dyndns.com/support/clients/unix.html.

Based off what I am understand is that CC is basically based off of primarily SSH. Which is where lies my problem. I am pretty much "lost in the sauce" when it comes to modify programming. I am willing to learn and struggle and am quick to learn "GOOGLE" but am worried about losing data<----Windows nightmare, which is what I am trying to avoid. How much windows like interface is in CC?

No, CC has primarily a web-based interface. Once the OS is installed and the server is running, you can disconnect the keyboard/mouse/monitor. You then normally work at a client computer on the network and use your web browser to control the server.

A similar feel would be like controlling a web-based e-mail account, like Yahoo or Google mail. You fire up your browser, and login to the web page. You then click buttons and input text on the screen, and that info is sent back to the server.

You can see screenshots here... http://www.clarkconnect.com/info/screenshots.php .

You CAN login to the server, either at the keyboard or through the network with SSH, but you don't have to. A standard install of CC doesn't have a GUI interface. Since it's based off CentOS, you can install one, but that's more work.

Appreciate the Screenshots They were a big help. I think I am going to go with the CC. It seem relatively user friendly till I start to get the hang of this. I think I'll put MANDRAKE or Fedora on my Secondary partition on my LAPTOP for administrative task or is it possible considering is webbased to administer it from windows? Regardless I am putting Linux on my secondary partition. Free software is good. Then I just need to get my wife comfortable with it and I can do away with windows all together Muaaaahahaha.....


Thomas

So I got 2 the servers up and going without to much of a hitch. Had a heck of a time getting the gateway to work properly and I still have an issue with my wireless card on the gateway and configuring it for AD-HOC. The other issue I have is I messed up when I installed the no-ip DNS software to keep my ip up-to date. I know that the setting I need to change is in the config file, but I am kinda of lost. There is a lot of stuff on google , but it is more confusing than helpful.

I also installed Mandrake on my Laptop. Love it, My computer is running faster than it ever has. I'm officially sold. I'll still have to load windows on my other partition just because of my work, but WOW. If any one could help me out with the config bit I'd appreciate it.

Thank you everyone for your input.


Thomas
satisfied linux Newbie

Hi

My 2 cents worth, for building linux servers, I would suggest CentOS, excellent and stable distro, I see clarkconnect was also mentioned, but naything over 10 users and you have to pay...so I suggest an alternative to clark connect, whcih is very similiar...

It is SME Server and can be found at http://wiki.contribs.org, is also built on CentOS and well documented and easy to use.

Cheers

I second the seconded for CentOS. I keep coming back to CentOS for my servers for some strange reason. Been very rock solid and stable, as equally well as my Ubuntu 6.0.6 servers. But there's just something about CentOS that makes me stick with it, but not sure why (Red Hat appeal???).

I concur,go with centos

well everyone I have been sold and have gone CENTOS