I'm choosing a distro that will run primarily a small mail server, but also http, ftp, ssh, etc.

I want one that comes preconfigured with a spam filter and virus scanner and preferably a web mail interface like imp.

I would love its PHP package to have no_memory_limit disabled. I hate compiling PHP!

I don't need a GUI, but I don't mind one either. Above all I want it to work with little to no hassle. Isn't there some kind of package that has all this stuff configured with standard default settings and ready to go? What are you guys all using?


Right now I have a Debian box running postfix, imp, apache, etc. I have it working sort of, but things don't look like they're made to work together, I want a fully integrated solution from my distrobution.

Sounds like you need something minimal so that the cpu cycles and memory don't get misplaced to worthless processes. That rules out any distro that automatically installs X (RH, FC, CentOS, SuSE).

Debian should allow you to apt-get the necessary daemons. Search Google as I've gotten Apache, PHP, OpenSSH, Postfix, Courier (IMAP/SSL), Amavis, Clam, and SpamAssassin to all play nice.

People on LQ will generally supply an opinion free of charge, but we usually won't search Google for you when the answer is readily available.

I make extensive use of google for hours on end Buut, ive run into a few problems, and I don't want to bore you all the details.

The point is, I have a new server and I'm at the point where I choose the distro, something like SENTINIX, but still under production is what I want.

It seems you've mistaken my serious question for some kind of whimsical thought. I've seriously been looking for a good answer for over a year. That's why I'm asking the forum. I don't need anyone to point me to google, I'm looking for some advice based on firsthand experience.

Ask and you shall receive
Is my firsthand experience valid? Also I believe you can set the memory limit in the php.ini file.

HTH

your firsthand experience is definitely valid, and I'm inclined to follow it and go with Debian again. I guess what I need is a customized set of packages, I was just hoping for someone to mention the name of a distrobution thats really designed to be a mailserver with all the packages included in the install. But alas, maybe it doesn't exist, maybe I should make one

Interesting. I've had the same thoughts in regards to setting up servers/workstations. A customized distrobution, made by me for me, would really save a lot of time. I think you're on the right track with Debian, and once you have the configurations in place, building your own distrobution would probably save a fair amount of time down the road.

LFS is what you need then. I don't really understand though, a minimal distro, add your mail apps and you are done. building a distro from scratch to run as a mailserver just seems a little like overkill to me. I may be wrong though. Wouldn't be the first.