heres a bit of a theoretical question.

im planning on putting a dedicated linux file server in my basement. i know that most servers run faster without a gui and such but im kinda wondering why that is.

i guess im wondering if i install red or something like that with the gui, then have it boot and login at text mode, would i still be getting all the speed benefits of not running gnome or something? my idea was i would use all the nice tools that come with rh9 to set it up. then just leave it running in text mode when i want it working.


just wondering how all that sounds. i could use some suggestions or tuts if you have them.

thanks so much!

Well if X or the GUI isn't running 99% of the time, it won't be taking up any resources. Why install X though? If this is going to be a fileserver, you could easily get away with running ssh to administer the machine and even use swat thru the browser to admin samba, etc. A machine like this you really don't even need to waste your time in giving it a monitor for the description of its use you've given us.

Cheers

yea the only reason i wanted to put x on was because i thought it would be easier to set stuff up with the rh9 utilites. i like the idea of just running ssh on it.

now heres another question. im a little worried that eventually i might need to put my files back on a windows machine. i usually just backup hard drives by pluging them into another machine and dragging the files over.

is there a way, if need be, to backup my files for quick access on a windows machine?