Server check

GhostlyPea

GhostlyPea

GhostlyPea

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Joined
30 Dec 2004
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Bromley, Kent
Evening all,

Currently studying Network+ exam and moving onto various others within the next few months and I want a server at home to practice with, so -
serverspeccd9.jpg


It doesn't need to be powerful, or have much storage. It is literally just for practising with. So a few questions -

1) Any issues with this spec, trying to keep it under £250?
2) It will be on the network wirelessly, so any opinions for a wireless card would be appreciated.
3) It won't be running Windows, I intend to learn various Linux server OS' with it, so along these lines, what versions do you lot use at work? I intend to try Ubuntu but i'm not sure of any others (that's cheap/free). is it easy to set up dual-boot with linux?

Can't think of anything else at the moment, but any information is appreciated ^

- Pea0n
 
I am currently looking at sorting a pc to use as a Linux server but it will be on ancient hardware (P2 or better if I'm lucky) so I can try and help out with the right Linux distro for the job.

At the end of the day it depends which one you are comfortable with and can use well enough to get things done, here were my contenders:

  • ubuntu
  • Fedora
  • Slackware
  • CentOS

At the moment I'm 99% sure I'll be using CentOS with ubuntu lowest on my list for a server just because its more suited for desktop usage. Apparently it also doesn't have the reliability of something like CentOS which is based on the server distro Red Hat Enterprise.

I'll be keeping an eye on this thread to see if its really worth ditching the old pc idea :)
 
Thanks for the distros dan, I'm aware of most of them and I'll take a look, but i'm really trying to find ones that may be used more in a business environment. Either way cheers i'll take a look ^
Had a look at the proliant, but i'm more interested in the flexibility of building my own, plus salvaging parts etc. for future upgrades. :)

- Pea0n

EDIT: centOS looks good, what's the difference in the builds?
 
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I'm using the full DVD of the latest version (5.1) for the i386 architecture (32-bit), if I was using a 64-bit capable processor then the x86_64 build should work out better. You can choose not to install most of the stuff on the DVD if you want a bare server OS so I thought it best to get the whole lot on DVD and go from there, the exact name of the file is: CentOS-5.1-i386-bin-DVD.iso

Red Hat Enterprise is the one that would be used in a business environment where they don't have much concern for cost....basic subscription starting from $349/year. :eek:
 
Aye I though as much for RedHat, stupid cost for me to learn with, but you say centOS is similar so I'll definatly give that a try. Unfortunatly my DVD burner is borked at the moment ¬_¬"
Thanks or the help :)

- Pea0n

Edit: had a look a tthe .iso for centOS, and they are labelled as xxxxx1of7, 2of7 etc. How does this work?
 
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CentOS is basically a debranded/de-copyrighted version of RHEL.

Quite a few hosting companies, software developers etc. use CentOS from what i've seen.

Just be careful not to be too depenent on RH GUI tools as if you get a job somewhere that you don't have access to them, you're stuffed unless you can do
it the old fashioned way
 
Aye, my intention is to try and become as preffecient with the commands, awaay from the GUI as much as possible. my plan is to have the machine downstairs somewhere and connect remotley to it, which reminds me, I remember a program that allowed me to do that, but I can't remember the name of it, can anybody else? Also any info on why there are 7 .iso files and what to do withthem? is it a CD each?

- Pea0n
 
VNC only works if the server has a working X server (like xorg or xfree86)

If you're wanting to learn as much using the CLI as you can look into SSH.

It's extremly powerful (can forward X programs etc.) it's basically a remote virtual terminal, you can do anything that you can locally. Damn sight quicker managing more than 1 machine using several ssh sessions than several VNC.

I'm not saying don't use VNC (there's also freenx you can check out) but i'd make sure you have a basic familiarity with SSH.

Relating it to your network field, if you want to traceroute, ping, host, configure iptables, it can all be done easily via SSH.
 
SSH was the other one I heard of, I think one of my friends uses that, although I have no experience with either so I'll try both out, thanks for htat Ethics :)

- Pea0n
 
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