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Old 12-06-2005, 11:04 PM   #1
danimalz
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headless server maintanence


Im looking for advice on the best way to
manage services on a headless server that
is incabable of running any sort of gui.

ive played around with web-min.

is this the best thing?
 
Old 12-07-2005, 02:48 AM   #2
fouldsy
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Webmin is quite acceptable, but ssh is probably the best way Gives you full access to the server over the command line. If you're not too comfortable with the command line, you will be pretty quickly! Otherwise, something like webmin is probably your best shot, but sometimes I find it a little lacking and fiddly to do things.
 
Old 12-08-2005, 03:18 PM   #3
TigerOC
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I persionally use KBear (sftp/ftp client) under ssh with KDE to manage my server. It's graphical and any of the system files can be edited using one of the editors.
 
Old 02-15-2006, 06:13 PM   #4
kelilinux
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I am also interested in managing a headless server. I want to have a GNOME environment like i have on my home desktop... How do I do this? I have lots of questions as I venture into remote controll of headless server, but I will start with this one. So, TigerOC or anyone else, how do you get a graphical server interface going? I'm running FC2 on the server, reaching it via FC4 gnome desktop or windows 2000 desktop. Any advice on how to get a gnome like environment running on headless (perhaps with browswer running a virtual desktop) would be greatly appreciated.

I'll look into Kbear, but I was wondering if you had more specific step by step advice.
Thanks,
 
Old 02-16-2006, 02:02 AM   #5
TigerOC
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I have put up a screen shot of my sftp connection to the server here for you to have a look at. It is a drag and drop environment but one can open files using editors or specific apps (on base system) on the server side and work on them. Just Googling around there does not appear to be much for Gnome but have found gftp and wxSFTP and nothing else. You will have to play with these packages.
 
Old 02-16-2006, 07:53 AM   #6
guysoft
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TigerOC
I personally use KBear (sftp/ftp client) under ssh with KDE to manage my server. It's graphical and any of the system files can be edited using one of the editors.
if you are using KDE and sftp you might as well use the sftp:// protocol built in to konqueror, its just like accessing a normal file-system!

but if you want full full control, i think VNC or ssh with and X piping option is the best way for full access.. it's usful to solve boot errors when you do server upgrades and stuff like that.
 
Old 02-17-2006, 09:47 AM   #7
kelilinux
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TigerOC, guysoft,
Thanks for the info. I'll follow up on the advice and I'll post if I arrive at a particularly good combination for my needs,or if I run into more questions.
Thanks
 
Old 02-24-2006, 01:04 PM   #8
kelilinux
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Hello,
I am still having trouble with getting my fc2 virtual dedicated headless server to allow remote desktop interaction (ssh works fine, ftp as well, and I think the KBear idea would work, but not, as , as TigerOC knew when suggesting it and guysoft pointed out, as a "full control" option). However, in seeking a full control method, vnc will not install onto the headless server as anything other than the viewer-only format it came pre-packaged in.

I was torn on where to post this, and found a "vnc fc2" specific post, so I sent my details there. But the issue relates to this "headless server maintenance" post too (maybe I should have posted here, but the other seemed so specific to fc2 and vnc...). Anyway, it seems Fc2 has several specific issues regarding getting vnc to work, and I'd appreciate any advice. I don't want to double post, so I put a link to the other post where my details are listed (entry number 4). I'll monitor this and the post linked below. I'm sorry if this reference to another post is a protocol infringement, it was not meant to be.
Thanks,

For details of my fc2 vnc problem, see entry number 4 at
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=351317
 
Old 02-24-2006, 03:29 PM   #9
TigerOC
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If you just want to connect to the server to monitor log files and edit them then you just use Konqueror using the command fish://<ip_address>. I use KBear because a lot of the work I do involves moving files to and from my own desktop and it automates the login process.
 
Old 02-24-2006, 06:04 PM   #10
kelilinux
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yes, you are right. Actually, I can usually get away with ssh to terminal and work command lines and some limited edits (I'm not great at editing files yet, but step by step). And I looked into KBear (though I use gnome usually), which, as you say, makes working transfers and edits a breeze. The ideas you and guysoft offered helped me get the various apps tuned up on the server, and get some level of control. Also, one of the streamers I plan to lean on, Darwin Streaming Server, has a web interface that helps.

However, there are some open source streamers and other programs that I want to work with on the server, such as flumotion and Video Lan C, that a full desktop environment control would help me with. So I'd like to get vnc (or equivalent) running. However, it seems FC2 has some particular issues relating to both how yum works and how the selinux is set up (or not set up). These (and maybe other) issues seem to be stopping me from using/installing vnc server or the like. I can't even get x11 forwarding to play nice. I do not have these issues working with FC4, but I am stuck using FC2 on the virt. ded. server.

[For details of my fc2 vnc problem, see entry number 4 at
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...d.php?t=351317
]

Last edited by kelilinux; 02-24-2006 at 06:06 PM.
 
Old 02-24-2006, 10:26 PM   #11
H2O-linux
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ssh is good

However for updating and editing the web site I use a dedicated debain with KDE on the local network. I just found that FTP of any sort was just not secure enough. I also use fish://"ip addy here" for shuttling files under konq as mentioned above.

Last edited by H2O-linux; 02-24-2006 at 10:30 PM.
 
Old 03-12-2006, 01:29 AM   #12
maxque
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I believe the original question was about running a headless server where an X environment was not possible. I have two servers now that run essentially headless. I have deliberately not put X on it. For a machine that basically serves content to the Internet is seems a waste of processor and memory.

Currently I do all administrative things through an ssh tunnel on my local network and I occasionally log on remotely. Webmin is a good environment, but why not just do everything from the command-line?

My only question Is about rebooting. Are changes needed to the BIOS or do Linux so that it no longer looks to start an X environment? What are these changes? But I need to move the location of the server and a monitor would be next to impossible. That is why I'm asking this.

I do realise that there will be times when a console will be absolutely necessary, but that is rarely (Kernel upgrades for instance).
 
  


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