Hello All,

I'm just about to buy a new dell server for a 25 user site. Pe1600sc IDE Xeon 2.8ghz/512k 533FSB

The site has an existing NT 4.0 server, with no domain, hosting a few applications that are used by windows 98, me,NT4, 2000 + XP PC's. The new server is going a file server with a DAT backup (PVT100T, DAT72 Tape Drive) 36/72GB.

I am considering Red HAT Linux 3 ES with a 1 year RHN sub, but I have little/none linux experience. So I am questioning if I should go for it.

Main Worries:

Installing the server correctly (Are there any good guidebooks?)
Getting the correct drivers working
Clients for windows 98, me,NT4, 2000 + XP PC's
Setting up/administering security
Setting up fault tolerance , (intend to mirror two 80GB)

I apologise for such a novice group of questions but I have keen to try microsoft alternatives and now seems the best time, but I am concerned if I can do it.

Kind Regards

Gavin

You can buy direct from Dell with the OS already installed if you are not comfortable with the installation process.

I was going to say the same thing. If you're unsure how to go about setting up Linux for an enterprise environment, I would recommend either Red Hat or SuSE. Since Dell ships with Red Hat, I would take it.

Hi,

As the other folks said you will not face any problems if you get a dell server, but if you want to customize the kernel for optimization or security matters then definitely you need some linux background.

I don't think you would face any problems if you get an O.S ready server regarding the drivers plus that for your backup solutions there are a quite number of options for Linux.

Regarding your clients, there would be no problem accessing their files if you are familiar with sutting up and configuring SAMBA on your Linux server.

Security wise I think you would benefit from a lot of features built into the Linux.

And for the last part, there are a handfull of fault tolerance and high availability solutions for Linux and infact Linux is the best choise for these matters on Intel based severs.

Good luck

Thanks for your repsonses,

I think my linux level of knowledge is not up to a building a sever yet, but I intend try on a pc for practice.

Regards

Gavin