Setting up a Server Need some Advice
 

Hi Guys,

I'm going to be re-vamping my server and was hoping someone could take a few minutes of their time, read over what I'd like to do and give me their thoughts and if possible some links to good tutorials.

All I ask is that if you reply read through my whole post here (yes I realize it's long and I thank you now) and try to reply in as much detail as possible. I'm going to post this in a couple of the forums here, hopefully that is not against the rules.


Here is what I'm working with first off:


AMD 450
Asus Mobo (sorry don't have the model #)
128 MB
40 GB HD
TNT2 Video
A3D Sound (not likely to be used)
3com NIC
Logitech Quickcam Web (USB)
System will run headless in a back corner of the room

Below are some of the things I want it to do:

- Run Clean!
---- Very easy to do updates
---- No un-needed software
---- Easy to see what is running on boot

- Webserver (going to be hosting several sites)
---- PHP
---- MySQL
---- ASP
---- Perl

- SMTP Server (no need for POP3)
---- Auto PGP Sign all outgoing?

- SSH and FTP over SSH2

- Regular FTP
---- Most Secure
---- Easiest to configure
---- Easily configured to work through LinkSys Router

- Samba
---- Authenticate via Windows XP users if possible

- MP3 Streaming
---- planning on using slimp3[dot]com server (sorry couldn't post url)


- Webcam Streaming
---- Goal here is since the machine will be headless and I can place it in the corner I can run a webcam easily to my window and have a nice webcam view out over downtown Toronto

- phpMyAdmin

- Nano Text Editor

- Lynx Browser

- XMLTV (and all required Perl Modules)

- Server Management Software
---- What I mean by this is for the webserver I'm likely going to host several relatives sites. I'd like an easy way of quickly jumping in (web based being the best) getting their home directory created, mysql database created, new virtual host in apache, FTP account, and added to the SMTP server.

- Optimized Boot.
---- What I mean by this is I want to know what's starting and why. The idea is to have this machine run everything I want but do it lean and mean.

What I'd like to know is:

1)- Is it possible to do everything I want?

2) Suggestions on how to partition the 40 gb drive

3) What software (if I haven't specified) should I use?

4) Best Distro to use for this purpose (I'm fairly use to Debian)
---- If answer is debian can anyone make a software list that I can just import into dpkg and have it grab everything for me. I want to keep the system as clean as possible but install all that is necessary.

5) Links
----If your really in a good mood I'd really appreciate some "exceptional" links on samba and apache configuration for the tasks I've listed above. I've found some online and kind of know what I'm doing but if you know of any really great ones I'd be happy to hear them.

The purpose of this little project is I want to make this unix machine actually do something. I want to have a feeling that I understand what's going on and know that its not just a dumb box in the corner serving a couple of websites like it is now.

I work in a windows company and am experienced with rolling out windows servers and maintaining them in our company... at home I want to go Linux and have the same sense of control I have at work.

I thank anyone who answers this post, and I await your opinions.

could you please abstain from
double-posting ?

Thanks,
Cheers,
Tink

"I'm going to post this in a couple of the forums here, hopefully that is not against the rules."


Again sorry didn't realize. If it is a problem have the forum moderators move the post, or remove it.

Are you saying that you didn't read
the rules you accepted when joining? ;)


Cheers,
Tink

you've now replied twice to this thread and not mentioned anything about the content of my post. I've applogized for the double post, however there is little I can do for it now. If you have a problem with it please talk to the moderator don't fill this thread with junk as I would like to see legit responces to this question.

First of all I think it would be wise (easier to build, secure and maintain) to split up your project. Start with installing base stuff, tweak it, back that up (so you don't have to go over it again when one sub project fails), then build up further per task. This approach would also make it easier for you to ask more specific questions.


1)- Is it possible to do everything I want?
We're talking Linux here. If it's impossible, make it possible!


2) Suggestions on how to partition the 40 gb drive
If you're careful Linux should easily fit (ex /var data, ex stream data) in 2GB, if you're choosing a partition layout, go for a server one. Please search LQ, I think we got enough examples of partitioning schemes.


4) Best Distro to use for this purpose (I'm fairly use to Debian)
Any current distribution would do I'd say, it all depends on how much work you want to put into it. If you're familiar with Debian then that should give you a headstart as opposed to having to learn another distro from the ground up.


you've now replied twice to this thread and not mentioned anything about the content of my post.
You know Tink, he's right about this one. Next time please edit your posts if you want to do something like this. Makes it easier on all of us.

/me pulls in his head:"Sorry ... will do in the future"

Cheers,
Tink