Iv only been using Ubuntu server for 2 weeks but already thinking about moving

DJMK4

DJMK4

DJMK4

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Well I have recently built myself a small home server (AMD Sempron 3100+, 1GB of ram to be upgraded to 2GB very soon, SATA raid set-up).

Iv been working with Ubuntu server v9.04 recently, its my third attempt at a linux based OS but im just not getting a feel for it, I dont feel confident administering it, setting things up and generally getting it working, if something goes wrong its a pain to sort out/roll back.

My work although im in the networking and VoIP industry, we all use windows based platforms and in my 5 years in the working IT industry everything has been Windows based so im looking at using this at home aswel.

I want to use the box primaraly for a file server, for media storage/media streaming to PC's/laptops in the house, as a VPN server, as a torrent download box where I can connect to a web-based client from any machine, possibly for active directory, to create scripts to automate scheduled tasks and more.

Iv given ubuntu a good go but something im finding im spending hours trying to get things working.

Shame really as I dont mind the feel of Ubuntu but I just want to get the server up and running and enjoy it. I somehow feel aswel that any work in the future will be limited due to most of my work being done on the windows platform, and obviously this being a linux based OS it will restrict me in some way :(
 
Only problem with FreeNas as it is kind of limited as a server, I want the server to be multifunctional with room to expand for multiple uses as a server.
 
Normal, everyone hates linux when they 1st try it, even if they feel they really should like it.

When you get used to it, and know how and why to do basic stuff, you'll love it.
 
Ubuntu server is enough to give anyone a headache :)
Normal Ubuntu with webmin will probably give you the best usability/power ration
 
DJMK4 said:
Iv been working with Ubuntu server v9.04 recently, its my third attempt at a linux based OS but im just not getting a feel for it, I dont feel confident administering it, setting things up and generally getting it working, if something goes wrong its a pain to sort out/roll back.
Click to expand...
If you literally just want nothing more than a home server that "just works" out of the box, have a look at WHS which should do everything you want and more, and should be completely familiar to you with your Windows skills set.

I would however suggest not writing Linux off completely - I think building a home server is actually a very good way to learn the system, you just need to accept that you can't magically take everything on board in one sitting. There *is* a considerable learning curve, particularly for someone used to the Windows way of doing things, and there's no point in trying to spin it otherwise.

Rather than expecting too much of yourself and being daunted by the scale of what you don't (yet) understand, just try to focus on one particular function or task at a time, and accept that you'll sometimes be tearing your hair in frustration - when this happens, just walk away for a while rather than giving in to the temptation to format and reinstall Windows or throw the thing through the nearest window. As you get one thing to work, you'll increasingly find that the knowledge you (perhaps painfully) acquired in doing so will be applicable to the next task, and somewhere along the line you'll start to gain that elusive "feel" which makes things so much less arduous.

As for your Windows abilities limiting your future with Linux (or vice versa), I don't think it really works like that in practice - all the skills gained with either OS will be useful, and one will complement the other rather than diminish it (a bit like learning a foreign language tends to make you more competent with your own).

I'm still pretty much a Linux noob who has spent most of their PC-literate life in Windows, so I do completely understand where you're coming from - I've lost count of the times I've lost my rag, screamed "life's too short for Linux" and retired to the pub to calm my nerves. I do feel things are starting to come together somewhat now though, and the "aha!" moments are a lot more frequent than they used to be, so the situation isn't completely hopeless. :)
 
I found the Ubuntu forums really helpful for finding my way round Ubuntu. Pretty much any problem I came across, someone else had already got a solution posted up.
 
I'm in the same boat as you.

I don't mind trying linux, but bring myself to learn how to use it. I always end up using XP pro as a server, and just using linuxmint or ubuntu for light browsing machines.

I know the information is out there, but I've become so used to the 'Microsoft way' that I find it difficult to motivate myself to learn alternative ways of doing things, using linux. Very narrow minded I know :/
 
Linux does seem a little challenging in the beginning and I can understand your issues. However stick with it and slowly the benefits that this OS brings do become apparent.

Like someone suggested you can install Webmin onto that machine and use that to help you set it up. Using Webmin does help a fair amount however you do need to understand some of the 'behind the sceens' stuff. It also has a pretty good OpenVPN module.

Alternatively have a look at:

http://gadmintools.flippedweb.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

These tools are in the Ubuntu repo's and seem to be pretty robust - may even be easier to use that Webmin.......

Good luck and have fun.

Si
 
Ubuntu is your problem.

Switch to Debian instead. It operates almost identically to Ubuntu but is much more stable (at the expense of more 'bleeding edge' packages, though). It's a dream to just set up and go as a headless server.
 
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