New server needs an operating system

D

darkage

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Jul 10, 2009
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I bought a new server off of ebay, I need some help with coice in the operating system. I want to use it for webhosting/email and not likely, and maybe in the future, add a game server onto it.


Specs are
Dell poweredge 1850 1u case and mobo
2x 64bit intel xeon 3.2ghz cpu's(single cores)
6gb ddr2 400, pc3200 ecc
2x 80pin scsi (either 36 or 73's, havent decided)

Now, theres allways windows web server for $300-$400

But I would like to go a cheaper way, Of course, im thinking linux. Its been a while since ive used anything linux, I used to use red hat, aparently which costs money now? So, What linux os would any of you reccomend for a webserver/email server. I want ease of use combined with security and stability.
 
If you are familiar with linux, I'd recommend a Debian distribution. It's the most stable and secure distribution (from my experience), our company runs it on our firewalls.
However, Debian hasn't written "ease of use" on it's flag...

If there are distributions around, that are as secure, stable and configurable as Debian, I'd be glad to know.
 
Thats the one ive been taking a look at, it comes with web and email software, or do I need to find and install third party? I dont mind installing apache.

Now as I said its been a while, so theres basic questions too I would want to know.

Would the hotswapable hardrives/powersupplys have any affect on the software?
Will it utilize the 2 processors properly?
 
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If your new to Linux, start with ubuntu server, then move up from there to debian. It's a lot easier for new Linux users
 
Your correct about Red Hat..and incorrect at the same time..

A few years ago (don't remember when) Red Hat spun off a child company. The original Red Hat begin to charge for it's distribution (targeted at corporations).

The child company produced a free linux, based directly off the Red Hat distro. It really looks and acts just like the original Red Hat, BUT the RPM's and software is limited to pure open source, "free" stuff.

It's called the Fedora Project. http://fedoraproject.org/


I've been running fedora on one of my work computers for a few years now...very easy to install....
 
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Wow, thanks for help guys, imma mess with debian(if I can get it to download). If that doesnt work out, ill try fedora. And ill pass on ubuntu, sorry, lol.

Looks like they are about to come out with a new version of fedora too, so timing might be perfect.
 
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Your welcome, DragonD!

if you've got specific questions, don't hesitate to ask them here. I'd be glad to help, and I'm sure many others here will too!
 
I use Lucid Ubuntu for my 1.6 server, and I love it (and its my first time with practical application towards the NIX OS)....oh and BTW, its free :D. I still haven't gotten completely use to messing with iftables/iptables via command line, but hey thats what google on the forums are for :D
 
mattM_- said:
I use Lucid Ubuntu for my 1.6 server, and I love it (and its my first time with practical application towards the NIX OS)....oh and BTW, its free :D. I still haven't gotten completely use to messing with iftables/iptables via command line, but hey thats what google on the forums are for :D
Click to expand...

The ubuntu forums have a LOT of useful support there
 
iSimon said:
The ubuntu forums have a LOT of useful support there
Click to expand...

I use to browse FedoraForums when I started with Fedora, but when I switched to Ubuntu, I never actually looked on the forums. I have 2 nix books: Guide to Linux System Administration, and Unix through Linux.

Also, I don't know what kind of specs you need for an email server, but is that server you bought pretty... overkill for email? No other spare computers/laptops hanging around :P (Yes I know its not just for email, looks good enough to run a few game servers off it pretty well)
 
mattM_- said:
I use to browse FedoraForums when I started with Fedora, but when I switched to Ubuntu, I never actually looked on the forums. I have 2 nix books: Guide to Linux System Administration, and Unix through Linux.

Also, I don't know what kind of specs you need for an email server, but is that server you bought pretty... overkill for email? No other spare computers/laptops hanging around :P (Yes I know its not just for email, looks good enough to run a few game servers off it pretty well)
Click to expand...

Ubuntu forums is CRAZY

Threads: 1,352,584, Beans: 8,682,384, Members: 1,067,811, Active Members: 60,505

They provide quick and useful support too
 
DragonD said:
Your correct about Red Hat..and incorrect at the same time..

A few years ago (don't remember when) Red Hat spun off a child company. The original Red Hat begin to charge for it's distribution (targeted at corporations).

The child company produced a free linux, based directly off the Red Hat distro. It really looks and acts just like the original Red Hat, BUT the RPM's and software is limited to pure open source, "free" stuff.

It's called the Fedora Project. http://fedoraproject.org/


I've been running fedora on one of my work computers for a few years now...very easy to install....
Click to expand...

kinda fedora is much less stable than redhat since it uses more bleeding edge stuff than redhat and is more of a test ground for redhat.

but for the question i would recommend openSuSE very stable and yast makes server configurations easy to setup.

there is also a paid version support by novell, SuSE Linux Enterprise Edition but for your needs openSuSE should do fine
 
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