Can i have some advice being a 1st time server user

liamcrane

liamcrane

liamcrane

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Hi all

I am going to try and setup a server i have never used one before but id really like to play around with one so i can understand how they work. I was wondering if anyone would be able to give me some advice on a few things tho.

1. What version of windows server would be the best for a beginner? i think i have a trial of one somewhere but might have to dig it out

2. I dont actually have a spare machine so i was thinking of trying it on a virtual machine using something called virtual box, would a server run ok on a virtual machine i.e stream files from it to my desktop & laptop etc?

Im really sorry for sounding kinda stupid with my questions but having never done this before its something i really want to understand

Really hope you can help, thanks so much

Liam
 
What do you want the server to do? Running a server in a VM on a PC is really defeating the point. The idea is the server stays on 24/7 so the PCs don't have to.

By definition "Server" doesn't require a server OS, windows XP or a Linux distro would suffice for a simple file server. All a server is is a machine that holds shared components of something, be it a database, fileshare, application service etc etc.

There's no software or hardware specifics that make something transform from a Desktop to a server magically.
 
If you are looking to learn mate why don't you download both Windows Server and Linux, play around with them both and see how you feel?

For virtualising it on your PC have a look at:

vware player
vmware free server (getting old now though)
vmware workstation
virtual box

Some of those are free and some you have to pay for, if it were me I would start with vmware player or virtual box just to see how it all works.

Later you might want to consider the microserver (if the deal is still on!) that many people have bought or a OcUK build.

Some links for Linux distros you can try:

Ubuntu (desktop and server):

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download

CentOS (server orientated, close to RHEL - my favourite!):

http://www.centos.org/

Fedora (I run this on my laptop as desktop software):

http://fedoraproject.org/

You could even sign up for a trial of Red Hat (commercialised Linux server software, many businesses use this):

http://www.redhat.com/

There are loads more that I'm sure some other people will add that I don't know about, I generally stick to: Fedora desktop, CentOS (server), RHEL (server) and Ubuntu (desktop).

and now for Windows, the easiest option is to purchase a Technet subscription:

http://emea.microsoftstore.com/UK/en-GB/Microsoft/Design-+-Developer/TechNet-2010

its pricey, depending on the package but I think its well worth it, I need to do this myself sometime.

Good luck mate, let us all know how you get on
 
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