I am currently an aid for my school's computer admin. Up until this point, we have been using the Windows server software, but we want to try to put linux on one of our servers to see how we like it. I was wondering if anyone could give me their opinion on what is the best version of linux to put on a server that is accessable from hundreds of computers around the school?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
cc_flyer

For a truly tailored answer, I'd need to know more about the needs and usage of the server. But, absent that information, I'd say Slackware:

http://www.slackware.com/

You may want to do some searching and reading. How much do you know about Linux and do you need a companies support?

Depending on the servers function. I'd test both Red Hat versions 7.x - 9, Mandrake, or Slackware. I've even heard that Gentoo is gaining ground in the server market.

To give you a little more information about the server usage, it will be used as a file server, with its client computers all on Windows XP Pro. And to let you know, I am a total newbie to the linux world, and have never actually used it before. I don't think we would need too much support from a company, because this is just an experiment to see how we like it, but I am not totally sure.

cc_flyer

which ever solution you choose, since you are serving a windows environment, make sure you run some type of AV on this linux box ie clam-av.

very much agree. i would sugest Whitebox for the server. it is a fork (legal free branch) of RedHat Enterprise 3.0 and as such gives you all the power for updates, upgrades, and fixes that you would get with the $700+ price tag of RHE without the price tag... so very nice.

it will come configured with everything you need to set up your samba file server, and with YUM you will have access to setting up things like clam-av, or f-prot as it is for a school, you can get the full setup for very very cheap if the school is willing to pay for it.

the nice thing about the RH line of distros, including whitebox, is the install and GUI, if you choose to use the GUI, are extreemly simular in the layout to a windows system, and make the conversion, at least for me, very easy.

i would also reccomend you pick up 'Beginning Red Hat Linux 9' by the WROX group. this is not exactly for RHE or Whitebox, but those pdf docs are out there for the few differances. the thing that i really enjoyed about this book is the way it covers a lot of the basics in very good step by step details both in the CLI (command line) and the GUI. it even convers setting up apache web server, ftp servers, e-mail servers, etc..

it is not all the details you will need, but it will give you a legs up on how linux works compaired to windows. most of the rest of the info can be gathered here at LQ and at google.com/linux should cover the majority of the problems you might run into.

best of luck, and enjoy.

Slackware -what I use- is great, but ONLY if you know how to set it up and maintain it. Otherwise, you may be better off with whitebox, or some clunky, but easy distro.

Thanks everyone, I will see what my admin. thinks about your opinions!

cc_flyer

Either Slackware, Gentoo, or Debian. This because you can control what gets installed and tell the service or program how it should work. IMO, do not get me wrong Redhat, Mandrake, and SUSE are great for Windows users that want to easily install, config, and upgrade software but they are too bloated to be used for servers.

I would go with Debian, Slackware, Mandrake or Whitebox (which is RHEL whithout the license). Read the distributions web sites and especially the documentation sections. Read the mailing list archives and hang out in the chatrooms on irc.freenode.net. You may need some answers fast and will want to get a feel for where you can get answers. For free help, I would definetly look at Debian and Slackware.

Another suggestion would be Xandros. It is a commercial distribution based on Debian.
http://www.xandros.com/

You'll also want to check into Samba for filesharing.
http://us3.samba.org/samba/

There is a school with a really forward thinking ICT group of people in Kent, UK. The lass in charge has put together a set-up for using linux in schools.

Take a look. It uses Samba to communicate to XP/Win 2000 machines. I think she has written it all in MDK - which is what I run on her advice. Might be bloated, but jolly fast compared to Windoze.

I think they went live this september, and seem to be pleased with the whole project. To the extent that some of the more techie kids are asking for Linux clients!

I wish my place was a little more forward thinking in this area as we could do with the security that Linux offers. We have a new ICT guy, but he is a Windows man - jolly good too.

Take a look at www.karoshi.org.uk its very much a project on the make, but I think in a year or two there will be a viable solution to schools who want to opt out of Redmonds grip and into a more friendly area. Lets face it the kids of today will probably come across Linux more than kids say 2 or 3 years ago.

Enjoy

Jools

Just found this searching on Google ....thank you webchem for the praise!!

Just also to announce the new version of Karoshi is now available.....which has just reminded me to post an update on freshmeat!!

I would recommend Redhat,Mandrake or SUSE for a Windows Administrator to begin with.

Enjoy your journey with linux!