Hello all ...
I was a beginner in the Linux world
I first became acquainted with linux was when I tried Ubuntu 8.04 on my cousin's desktop.
Right now I want a Linux (which is free) to be used on private servers in my office.
I've done a series of searches with google and read various articles comparison of linux distributions.
I found 3 options so far: Fedora 12, Ubuntu 9.10 Server, and CentOS 4.
I myself more interested in using Fedora 12 because it has the same developer with Red Hat (which actually I most interested but halted, because it's not free).
Meanwhile, I myself was quite familiar with the ubuntu desktop environment, that's why I also consider Ubuntu Server to choose.
In your opinion, what is the best distro for me?

So far, this is my server computer specifications:
- AMD Phenom X3 2.8 GHz
- DDR3 4 GB
- Biostar TA790GX
For the current operating system I used Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (cracked) to handle Oracle 10g. This computer connect with about 50 clients that run using Microsoft Windows XP. In the future, I want to use Linux to replace dependency on Microft Windows.
To be remembered, the most important point is I need it to be compatible with Oracle (especially 11g).

Thanks from Tony

Use centos 5.4 iam using the same

Any of those 3 should be fine. They are each good enough that it might depend more on your experience. Ubuntu server would normally be administered with command line tools remotely. But that's the common way to do Fedora and CentOS, too. A few years ago I was using Fedora 8 as a desktop and it did the job just fine. I'm using Ubuntu 9.10 now for desktop and some servers, and some other servers will be Fedora 12 because the vendor tested devices with it.

Of those three, I would choose CentOS. It's what I use on my desktop. It is based on RedHat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). CentOS 5.4 is essentially a rebranded RHEL 5.4 with the proprietary stuff removed. And, the updates to RHEL are generally directly compatible with CentOS.

As I understand it, Fedora is also RedHat, but it's the leading edge stuff that might not be as rigorously tested yet. Ubuntu is also a good choice because it's generally easy to use and set up.

But, if you are interested in doing a little research before you install, I would recommend checking out www.distrowatch.com. On their search page, you can search through multiple options that are important to you, or just browse through the "major distributions". That way, you can see what's important to you and decide for yourself what distro fits your needs.

CentOS as previously mentioned for the reasons nuwen52 posted.

Same here.

Centos 5.4 as above and note also that Fedora is the research version of RHEL, ie bleeding edge(!) and new version every 12 mths or so... Definitely NOT recommended for serious stuff.

Hi,

I'll add one to the list; Slackware.

Slackware is used on a lot of servers. Very stable and reliable!

For this reason I would say CentOS: it is has the exact same source packages bar the branding.

Evo2.

Options that haven't already been mentioned.

Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron. This is the most recent LTS (Long Term Support) release of Ubuntu; server apps will continue to receive updates until April 2013, 5 years after initial release. (The next LTS release is Lucid Lynx, due this April.) The LTS releases are probably what you should use if running a server on Ubuntu, since they're designed with a greater focus on stability than the other releases.

Debian stable. A distro with a strong focus on reliability. I'd never recommend Debian stable on the desktop, but for servers it's a good choice.

The BSDs. Note that the BSDs are not actually Linux; they have similarities to and differences from GNU/Linux systems. They are, however, popular for servers. OpenBSD in particular is renowned for security.

Debian.

Hmm ... If fedora really must be renewed every 1 year, of course it's not a good choice for servers. In addition, a full backup cycle for my server is done once every 2-3 years, the remaining incremental backups every 6 months. So I felt fedora no longer an option. Ubuntu is very interesting, with the LTS support parents very much consideration. It is also easy to use especially for beginners like me.

Meanwhile, a lot of members here advised me to use CentOS. Is there anyone who can give a good argument with strong evidence (website address or a picture) for me, so I'm really sure to choose CentOS? Like how long the period of support, or features that can be more favorable than a fedora and ubuntu (and slackware) ...

@ Onebuck: You advised me to use slackware. I will try to find more information about it. Thank you.

@ All: Does anyone could give me a reference about the comparison CentOS and Slackware?

Last but not least, the most important thing for me is any of these OS can operate with Oracle 11g properly. Does anyone have previously installed and using Oracle 11g on Slackware / CentOS / Ubuntu? Because so far most of the oracle forum mentioned that Oracle 11g is only compatible with Red Hat Enterprise 5, very troubling me ...

Best regards from Tony

As a datacenter technician I would say the most commonly used OS in the datacenter I work in is without a doubt CentOS (even beating windows server out). In relation to most distributions, it's quick and easy, it's not too hard to maintain and well supported. CentOS is derived directly off of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (aka RHEL) with about a 3 week lag time on most updates. CentOS is also free unlike RHEL and OEL (Oracle Enterprise Linux). It would be worth noting since you mention Oracle 11G that Oracle make their own distribution that is also derived from RHEL and so OEL and CentOS are not too dis-similar.

Debian is also fairly commonly used and isn't that much harder then CentOS, overall Ubuntu is based off of Debian and Debian generally is much better at the server side then Ubuntu and currently as far as I know Debain does not have this whole "no root access" attitude that ubuntu still has.

Slackware generally is a lot more work, it can be far more customised but that comes at a cost of it being more difficult to deal with. Generally it's not used all that much within a datacenter enviroment, some customers use it but I come across it about as rarely as Fedora and Ubuntu in honesty.

1 members found this post helpful.

@r3sistance: Thank you very much. Your opinion makes me even more easily in making decisions. I'll be downloading CentOS 5.4 in the near future, but it may take a little longer to finish because my internet speed somewhat limited by the network administrator at my office (T-T).

@all CentOS advocate:
Btw, how the integration between Server Linux with the client that is still using XP? Especially in terms of policy restriction. If using Windows Server, I can easily set through the Group Policy Management. Does linux server can work with Windows-based client? Because in addition to the datacenter, the server also works as a file server. Where not all drives can be raised and may be accessed by any user, for example: user in HR department can not retrieve the user's files in the Accounting department and vice versa. Are these things possible on CentOS (I firmly decided to use CentOS)?

In addition these servers also enable DHCP and works also as a DNS Server. And instead of IIS, I have developed an intranet system based on PHP, Apache, and PostgreSQL with WAPPStack in Windows. Will it be running on CentOS linux?

CentOS comes with SSHD, most people tend to use putty as a windows client for establishing SSH (Secure SHell) connections. SSHD only remotes a shell, there are ways to remote a GUI like with VNC but VNC is rather insecure protocol by standard.

I am not sure about WAPPStack can't say I have ever heard of it, the others should be fine, Apache should come as standard with CentOS, PHP may require installing but can easily be done so via YUM (Yellowdog Updater, Modifier), I am not sure about installing PostgreSQL, I believe it can be done during installation so I would imagine it can also be installed via YUM but am not certain of this.