Lightweigtt Linux Server Distro

swinnie

swinnie

swinnie

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Hi Guys

I have a friend who needs a lightweight server distro. Could you recommend anything?

He wants to be able to learn Linux so two options one GUI and one Text based would be good.

He has used Linux before.
 
Ok most people are going to jump in here and scream Ubuntu server as the text one.

I am going be different and suggest Xandros Server, tell your mate to download the trial version, you can do all sorts of server stuff in the GUI. Of course when the trial runs out he will have to shell out (no pun intended) $400 which will is around £235 when converted to proper money and Alister Darling has his share.

It is worth downloading the trail and playing with even if he/she decides to use something else in the end.
 
oh oh oh my turn!

Arch! NOT!! It is hardly a server OS.

Debian is the best server Linux distro.

But if he just wants to learn Linux and not really do anything server related then Arch is definatenly your best bet.
 
I'm hearing lots of positive stuff about Arch... I think it's time I had a play with it, then I'll be able to comment on it.

In the meantime, I would agree that Debian is great for use as a server OS. It's rock solid, and meets your criteria about being free.
 
fumbles said:
oh oh oh my turn!

Arch! NOT!! It is hardly a server OS.

Debian is the best server Linux distro.
Click to expand...

Whats wrong with Arch as a server OS? You can install it as a completely bare bones OS then build it up and secure it to meet your requirements, as a server. :confused:

Debian may be uber stable, but its also uber dated (IMO)
 
Gentoo, similar to Arch from what i've read (really should try it sometime...)

Dunno why buy Debian based systems and I just don't get on, at all... :p
 
fumbles said:
oh oh oh my turn!

Arch! NOT!! It is hardly a server OS.

Debian is the best server Linux distro.

But if he just wants to learn Linux and not really do anything server related then Arch is definatenly your best bet.
Click to expand...

False, RHEL is without parallel as a server OS, not least because it has easily the best support going.
 
Don't use Arch or Gentoo for production servers. They are "rolling release" style distributions and too much changes too quickly for either to be considered as server operating systems.

Both are great for the desktop though.
 
.walls said:
Don't use Arch or Gentoo for production servers. They are "rolling release" style distributions and too much changes too quickly for either to be considered as server operating systems.

Both are great for the desktop though.
Click to expand...

I think Arch is perfect for a home server, sure I'd never put in on a production system but on a production system I'd want something with paid for support which I could depend on (cough, RHEL).
 
Same as bigredshark for Gentoo as well, home server (which I'm assuming this is going to be) it's fine, but not for production.
 
I agree that in a corporate environment RHEL would be a serious contender, but I don't think the OP's friend is gonna be interested for home use.

I did think about Gentoo, but I thought it was a bit too "hardcore" for someone who is just starting out and looking to get to grips with *nix.
 
GarethDW said:
I agree that in a corporate environment RHEL would be a serious contender, but I don't think the OP's friend is gonna be interested for home use.

I did think about Gentoo, but I thought it was a bit too "hardcore" for someone who is just starting out and looking to get to grips with *nix.
Click to expand...

No, I never thought RHEL was a good idea here (it costs money first up) but personally I think you either go for something at that end of the market (paid for support, absolutely stable, supported by the hardware manufacturer) or you go for something like Arch (very lightweight, quick and flexible).

You don't need the most stable distro out there for a home server and you're probably better off with something that'll run a bit quicker.
 
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