Which Linux Server Distro + question

Turbo10

Turbo10

Active Member
I'm thinking about grabbing a home server at some point, mainly for experience and was just wondering what's the best Linux server distro?

Also, are there any decent, remote desktop/VNC programs that would allow me to control the Linux server from my Windows Desktop?
 
CentOS or Debian. Only other thing worth mentioning is FreeBSD because jails are super sweet, but you don't need that for a home server.

Yes. You can install VNC on linux and control it from windows, though i find it a lot easier & faster to do everything via the terminal on a headless system. I've use RealVNC in the past with good results.
 
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NyxCharon said:
CentOS or Debian. Only other thing worth mentioning is FreeBSD because jails are super sweet, but you don't need that for a home server.

Yes. You can install VNC on linux and control it from windows, though i find it a lot easier & faster to do everything via the terminal on a headless system. I've use RealVNC in the past with good results.
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Thanks I'll have a look!
 
What exactly do you want out of it? Just file storage? If you want Remote Desktop to it, I have written something about it here. If you want a linux server OS, go for Debian or Ubuntu Server, but if you are just looking for a lower price, and you use Windows Computers throughout, it may be worth looking at this.

Hope this helps :)
 
AntimatterAsh said:
What exactly do you want out of it? Just file storage? If you want Remote Desktop to it, I have written something about it here. If you want a linux server OS, go for Debian or Ubuntu Server, but if you are just looking for a lower price, and you use Windows Computers throughout, it may be worth looking at this.

Hope this helps :)
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Just a mix of everything really, file storage, maybe an email server, DNS etc. I just want to get the hang of servers and some experience with Linux really

That's really handy though thanks! Didn't know you could use normal remote desktop windows-linux!

Second link doesn't seem to work btw
 
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http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-OEM-software-intended-builders/dp/B0050TVAWS try that one. Its Windows Home Server 2011. Its only around £40. If all of your PCs are windows, you might be better off to use that, if not, debian for an interface on linux or Ubuntu Server if you feel happy using a command line.

The XRDP protocol for Linux-Windows Remote Desktop Connection is free, but obviously it is better to assign the server a static IP address over DHCP from the router, otherwise you will have to log on locally to the server each time to get the IP address to then log on remotely. Sorry about slow replies but I am at school at the moment :)

If it is your first time with servers, Windows Home Server might be the best place to start, or to learn how to use workstation linux first. Post back with how you get on :) What spec of PC are you using for this server, or are you running it in a Virtual Machine?

But if you need any more help, just ask, as I am happy to help :)
 
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AntimatterAsh said:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-OEM-software-intended-builders/dp/B0050TVAWS try that one. Its Windows Home Server 2011. Its only around £40. If all of your PCs are windows, you might be better off to use that, if not, debian for an interface on linux or Ubuntu Server if you feel happy using a command line.

The XRDP protocol for Linux-Windows Remote Desktop Connection is free, but obviously it is better to assign the server a static IP address over DHCP from the router, otherwise you will have to log on locally to the server each time to get the IP address to then log on remotely. Sorry about slow replies but I am at school at the moment :)

If it is your first time with servers, Windows Home Server might be the best place to start, or to learn how to use workstation linux first. Post back with how you get on :) What spec of PC are you using for this server, or are you running it in a Virtual Machine?

But if you need any more help, just ask, as I am happy to help :)
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Well I'm actually going to be studying Linux+ after i finish Network+ and after Linux+ Server+ so i thought Linux would help me with that, I also thought that Linux/Unix had the majority over server OS's in the world.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ProLiant-N40L-2GB-U-250GB-MicroServer/dp/B005LRCASM/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=KPU7I2R9DQFA&coliid=I1MGYRQ2PCJAE4

I was thinking about getting that, it's pretty basic, but I thought would be a good place to start, and it's cheap!

I'll probably use VMWare or VirtualBox on my desktop too depending on what distro Linux+ focuses on.

Would I have to buy a static IP address from my ISP or wouldn't it matter because it's on LAN?
 
I've always used Ubuntu Server. Mostly because I was familiar with Ubuntu already. But, I think it's great!

You can install openSSH on Ubuntu and then connect to your server via a program like Putty. All command line though. :)
 
JasonPDK said:
I've always used Ubuntu Server. Mostly because I was familiar with Ubuntu already. But, I think it's great!

You can install openSSH on Ubuntu and then connect to your server via a program like Putty. All command line though. :)
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Yeah ive got puTTY on my PC already, I spose I could just use telnet, there's not really any security risk for a little server with nothing on it ;)
 
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Turbo10 said:
Would I have to buy a static IP address from my ISP or wouldn't it matter because it's on LAN?
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Local IP Addresses you manage yourself. Just go into the connection properties on Windows, IPv4 TCP/IP and then just static addresses, you just type them in :D

Everything Local is easy to sort out. Make sure with that HP Server that drivers are supported for it in Linux. Try setting it up in a Virtual Machine first before you buy the server, that way you will have already done it when you do the real thing.

The IP Addresses are easy to configure. If you are using Windows Server you just bypass it completley, as to connect, you can type in the computer name, so for my Core 2 Quad PC, I would type into another Windows PC "\\C2Q\Ashley" to get to my Public File share, you can type in the computer name instead of the ip address "192.168.0.25", whereas on XRDP, I think you can only put in the IP Address.

Linux Server is Free, but Windows Home Server will be way easier to set up if it is your first time. If you are completley set on using Linux Server, at least learn to use it in a virtual machine first, that way you will know the right bits of software and hardware to use when you do the real thing, it is easier then than trying to set up an operating system that you are completley unfamiliar with in an enviroment with no driver support, as you have not been able to find the drivers for it yet :)

What is your budget for Hardware?
 
AntimatterAsh said:
Local IP Addresses you manage yourself. Just go into the connection properties on Windows, IPv4 TCP/IP and then just static addresses, you just type them in :D

Everything Local is easy to sort out. Make sure with that HP Server that drivers are supported for it in Linux. Try setting it up in a Virtual Machine first before you buy the server, that way you will have already done it when you do the real thing.

The IP Addresses are easy to configure. If you are using Windows Server you just bypass it completley, as to connect, you can type in the computer name, so for my Core 2 Quad PC, I would type into another Windows PC "\\C2Q\Ashley" to get to my Public File share, you can type in the computer name instead of the ip address "192.168.0.25", whereas on XRDP, I think you can only put in the IP Address.

Linux Server is Free, but Windows Home Server will be way easier to set up if it is your first time. If you are completley set on using Linux Server, at least learn to use it in a virtual machine first, that way you will know the right bits of software and hardware to use when you do the real thing, it is easier then than trying to set up an operating system that you are completley unfamiliar with in an enviroment with no driver support, as you have not been able to find the drivers for it yet :)

What is your budget for Hardware?
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Thanks for the help :D I'm not too sure yet, I don't need to spend a huge amount, say no more than £300, I know that's a bit stingy but it's not like i NEED server right now :P

I have used Ubuntu before and I like it, but finding the graphics drivers took ageeeees
 
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if you are just attempting to learn for the various Linux+ test, you should just make a couple vm's in something like virtualbox and bridge them so there on your local network.
You'll want a headless install of something debian based (which includes ubuntu) as well as something redhat based (CentOS is good).

You shouldn't be using a gui for setting up a linux server, most of the questions you will face for it will focus on there setup and configuration, which is almost always done via the terminal unlike in windows servers.
 
NyxCharon said:
if you are just attempting to learn for the various Linux+ test, you should just make a couple vm's in something like virtualbox and bridge them so there on your local network.
You'll want a headless install of something debian based (which includes ubuntu) as well as something redhat based (CentOS is good).

You shouldn't be using a gui for setting up a linux server, most of the questions you will face for it will focus on there setup and configuration, which is almost always done via the terminal unlike in windows servers.
Click to expand...

No I will use a VM for the Linux+ but I thought it might be an idea to get experience with a Linux server. I'll see, it is free after all, and I could always buy Windows Server too!
 
Turbo10 said:
No I will use a VM for the Linux+ but I thought it might be an idea to get experience with a Linux server. I'll see, it is free after all, and I could always buy Windows Server too!
Click to expand...

eww :P

If you have any questions when setting up your home server (if you go the linux *cough better cough* route) feel free to ask me any questions, I'm sure I can point you in the right direction. :D
 
NyxCharon said:
eww :P

If you have any questions when setting up your home server (if you go the linux *cough better cough* route) feel free to ask me any questions, I'm sure I can point you in the right direction. :D
Click to expand...

Thanks mate, I will. Not sure when i will get that server that I linked on the other page, maybe soon :)
 
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