I have not had ANY experience with Linux at all, but have been using AIX for years, so I am comfortable with the *nix command line.

I have a requirement for a proxy server and toyed with the idea of installing squid on AIX, but have decided that a dedicated machine would be better.

The machine will server no other pupose apart from being a web proxy and I am assuming squid is the best software for the job(please correct me if I am wrong).

I have had a look through some of the linux distros and they all seem to come with masses of software, I assume however that most of this software which will be superflous to my needs can be left out upon installation of the OS.

So can anyone recommend a distro that would suit my purpose?

The machine will be participating on a Windows 2003 AD network and a nice to have feature would be authentication onto the proxy for users using thier AD user/pass. I am guessing this can be acheived through LDAP somehow but again, im not sure.

I appreciate any comments or suggestions that you guys can provide!

i would recomend slackware.
its highly configurable, flexable and stable.
it does come with masses of software, but you fo not have to install it all.

also, because of its unique install method, you will not be forced to download the software you are not going to use.

paulie; what got me started with linux was subscribing to aixxx7 via net.
most users there utilize RH, along with other unix,bsd. since those were over my head went with mandrakelinux. your transition to any linux may not be too bad not easier but easy. syntax bit different but not totally way out. advice try out distro,s then decide after which would accomodate you best! from what information i,ve read if on cd you do not have to install as a trial bases only. then install on choosen distro.

Thanks for your advice, would you huys recommend installing some kind of GUI with the system for ease of administration?

The machine is only a P III 500 and I want it to do the proxying as fast as possible.

Also, would you use squid or apache as your chosen proxy?