Hi,

I am looking for recommendations for a good stable and up to date server distribution. I will be putting together a server for a medium sized business and it will be the first Linux server they have had. The server will be primarily network storage and backups, no SQL databases or web server (but it could grow as time goes on). It will be running on an older machine, probably a PII/PIII. Updates for the next few years would be a plus. Skill level doesn't matter as I am quite comfortable with Linux.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Ubuntu Server or CentOS are good no cost distros. And both are very good for this sort of thing. You could also go with Debian or Slackware.

Ubuntu is maybe the best solution!

How stable vs how up-to-date?

If stability is most important, Debian Stable is the best choice. At the moment, Debian Stable is also very up to date, because Debian Etch just went stable. Expect maybe two-three years before the next version of Debian replaces Etch. In the meantime, Debian Etch will be provided only with security updates and other important bug fixes.

If you want more up-to-date software, then you might risk some stability. Now, the alternatives to Debian Stable which provide more up-to-date software are pretty good (including Debian Testing), but for a business server I'd personally only consider Debian Stable. I despise unnecessary software updates in a business setting.

Thank you for your suggestions. I'll give them a look.