Can I run Linux Server with Windows clients?

[wrw1818]

I'm doing some MIS work at a small nonprofit - NO technology integration to date (that's why i'm here). There's a 10 node computer lab, and 6-8 staff members who will soon be on a LAN.

HERE'S WHERE I'M PONDERING: for the utilization in this small org, I can't justify $500 for W2000 server plus another $300+ for access licenses. I want to run some Linux flavor on the and Windows on the wkstations. Question: Which Linux? with which Windows (XP, 98, or 2000) ?

The current server is a 300mhZ Celeron with 128mb SDRAM Compaq, running MS Back Office - which I suspect is NT 4.0 (btw, I've never used this server b/c no doc or pwds were left). I'm looking at buying a low end Gateway or Dell server (to get PIII, 133 fs bus speed on the SDRAM).

 

[Masterpjz9]

Can you even have windows log on to a linux server?

 

[CitrixEngineer]

It's totally possible to have Linux as the complete back-end (file/print/web/mail/authentication) withouth the Windows clients being aware of the fact.

The key here is to plan what you want to do, get the necessary expertise (may take many hours of trial and error and rebuilding - or hiring someone who knows), THEN build and implement.

Break down the component tasks and post back here (or on the linux server forum).

I hope this helps

 

[jasonwichman]

Yes you can run Linux on the server and the windows users have no idea about it. Red Hat 7.x will do the trick for you just fine. You'll have to configure samba correctly, but it isn't that hard. There is a variety of other Linux products out there tha will work as good as Red Hat, but I would go with Red Hat due to what I have seen it do on the server level. Jason Wichman

http://jasonwichman.ath.cx:81

ftp://jwichman.ath.cx:22