Best Linux Server?

[rokitman1]

Hi

I would like to use a Linux server, as a file server only, for about 10 XP clients in a workgroup whats the best version of Linux to go for? I have only ever used Mandrake a few times.. so any advice on a free LInux server type version for this would be great, I would also like to use a tape backup drive.....thanks

Rokitman1
"The Problem Exists Between The Chair And The Keyboard"

 

[RhythmAce]

When you strip down any distro to a server only install, you will find it very hard to tell them apart. If you want to install everything, then anybody who's anybody would go with Fedora Core 4. I think mandrake used the rpm package manager so you should slip into fedora very smootly. I think the main ingredient you will be using in your file server is Samba. It is the same on all distros. Some come with SWAT which is a frontend configuration tool for samba.

 

[rokitman1]

OK Thanks, I am downloading the ISO's for Fedora Core 4 now...I hope to get time soon to test it....as I understand you say SAMBA is the main app to use in a file server enviroment

Rokitman1
"The Problem Exists Between The Chair And The Keyboard"

 

[skar]

I use Debian as a txt only file server. You might also want to have a look at

http://www.clarkconnect.com

they have a nice Linux distro which can be setup and configured via a web browser.

 

[rokitman1]

I looked at

http://www.clarkconnect.com

seems like their free version is only for home use?

Rokitman1
"The Problem Exists Between The Chair And The Keyboard"

 

[ericbrunson]

Most of my production servers are running Fedora. I find it very convenient to do a minimal install (scroll all the way to the bottom in the "Select Packages" stage of the install) which requires only the first disk. I then get it up on the net, so a "yum -y update" then use "yum install samba" (for example) to install samba and all its dependencies.

 

[rokitman1]

I will give it a go, I have downloaded 4 CDs from their site. does Samba allow full remote admin access via HTTP for say user file share / read access and configure the backup? how secure is it in your opinions against hackers / viruses ?

Rokitman1
"The Problem Exists Between The Chair And The Keyboard"

 

[TrojanWarBlade]

Can I just throw a quick fly in the ointment?
I heard that FC4 has some issues with samba and windoze shares. You might like to check on that before you commit.
FC3 as I understand it doesn't have the problem.

Trojan.

 

[ericbrunson]

I didn't notice any problems when I upgraded my home server from FC3 to FC4, but I have a *very* simple setup.

 

[TrojanWarBlade]

From RedHat's release notes:

Browsing of Windows shares (also known as SMB browsing) fails on Fedora Core 4 systems that have the standard firewall configured. This is most easily noticed in the failure of the desktop to display shares.
The firewall disrupts the broadcast mode of SMB browsing, which is the default. There are two workarounds:

* Configure a WINS server on the network, and set the "wins server" option in smb.conf to the address of the WINS server.
* Disable the firewall.

Trojan.

 

[rokitman1]

thanks, I will configure a Wins server

Rokitman1
"The Problem Exists Between The Chair And The Keyboard"

 

[ericbrunson]

Ah, I'm not running the standard firewall, which is why I didn't see the problem.