Linux as a network operating system
 

Could i use linux as a network operating system

Define network operating system? Like as a router or proxy server, gateway? What's your intentions? Really with Linux, you can do just about anything you want network wise.

because i dont have much experience of using any other operating system than windows im looking at using another OS as well as using a network operating system so i thought id use say linux as a network operating system and have a play around, ive been asked many times in job interviews and application forms and i thought i could get some experience

would ubuntu be ok or is there a bettyer one,

Well, any operating system you see these days are Network Operating Systems and Linux is kinda "BEST" among them. Install Linux and get a Beginner's Guide. You need to learn command line, here's good tutorial to start with: http://linuxcommand.org

Ubuntu is great no doubt, but I would always suggest a beginner use Redhat/Fedora.

Also please post these types of queries in "Linux General" section, this section is for servers.


--Dipu
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Linux: because a PC is a terrible thing to waste

Usually "NOS" means something like Cisco's IOS, Juniper's JunoOS, F5's TM/OS, etc, etc... they are not general-purpose Operating Systems that you can install on a PC. They are specifically written for proprietary networking hardware.

ok, thanks for setting me straight

I wasnt sure where to put it as its server related as well as beginners, thanks anyway

would fedora/red hat be able to carry out things needed to manage a network

As such, not really. But they would allow you to install the necessary tools.

However, I think that you would gain more benefit from getting a sound theoretical understanding what people are referring to when they speak about. Network Operating System, Internet Operating System, Network Sofwtare, etc....

Also, try to be more specific for yourself (and us). What do you want to do with your box?

- route between 2 or > different subnets? (if you don't know why you would want to do this, go back and study some more) --> any linux will support this. But if they are the best/most economical choice for the task?

- Firewall? Yes, linux will do a good job, as firewalling is build into the kernel. However, depending on size, flexibility and performance: Is it the best choice for the task.

- Internet sharing? yes, you'll need the firewalling capabilities.

- Monitor routers/switches, servers, applications, ...? wide variety of options

- reporting?

- Alarm generation?

- fail over?

....

Managing 'a network' can mean soo much.

first thing is i dont have any or very little experience of using linux/ubuntu
second thing is that i dont have any experience of using windows server 2003

because im looking for a job in IT ive seen some jobs ask for experience of using linux/ubuntu and others ask for experience of using server 2003 so i thought i could build a pc and install an open sourse operating system eg linux/ubuntu and set it up so it would act as a server,
have i covered everything, if not let me know

You would do well to start with Ubuntu Desktop. You can always add server software to Ubuntu Desktop and the desktop "version" of Ubuntu sets up X GUI software by default where Ubuntu Server does not install X GUI software by default.

It sounds like you want a kind of "boot camp" or "crash course" in Linux. Unfortunately there is so much to learn that you won't be qualified to be a system administrator for several years. You may be able to find a very small company that is willing to let you start doing this in exchange for you accepting a very small salary. That's how I got my start.

I'd say stop talking and simply install Ubuntu.

Good luck to you and welcome to the world of system administration. Well, hopefully soon. :)

i dont want to be qualified as a systems admin, the jobs ive seen advertised have been for it support technician or maybe worded differently but they ask for experience in linux or ubuntu which is something i dont have,