Very Computer

I'm looking for a recommendation for a Linux distribution for installation
as a web server. I know they all have apache and so on and some have webmin
and other management packages but I'm more interested in not having to spend
a lot of time removing packages that I don't want or need. I've had RH7.1 up
and running and it was okay as far as that's concerned.

I have been looking at SuSE 7.2 but have never used a SuSE disto before. It
seems to get decent reviews on the Linux web sites.  I intend to have a web
server with sendmail,ftp and other common web services and will be
installing (fingers crossed) FrontPage support for a couple of my clients.
I'm currently running NT4 and it works okay but I'm becoming more concerned
with its end-of-product life as well as the ongoing security issues. I think
a Linux web server may suit my long-term needs better.

If anyone has any pointers to what a Linux web server installation should
and should not have installed, please send the links along.

Thanks

Bob

First off, RH, SuSe, Mandrake, Corel, and countless others are more
tuned for desktops... You'd be better off going with a less commercial
desktop.

I'd have to say either go with Slackware or fbsd.

Slackware allows you to only install the packages you need (so you
won't have to remove them... techincally). It is also one of the most
secure and stable linux distros out of the box, with a little
tweaking, you could have a secure system up in a no time.

Fbsd is a God as far as servers go. It's not a linux distro
(technically), but it is a UNIX, so everything should seem familar.
Only make sure you get the most recent version, as there was a fairly
serious security issue (the only serious security issue found so far
actually...) found in older releases. Fbsd has boasted (and
rightfully) that it is the most secure, stable, and sensible server OS
on the market. There are fbsd servers with over 500 days of uptime...

Best of all, both of these are free from their rightful webpages.

Cye

I agree with that, although I'd suggest Debian rather then Slackware
(I love apt-get) which is also easy to set up using a bottom up
system.

RH 7.1 is the most widely used Linux Distribution. So if support is a
concern then go ahead, install RH7.1. Remove all the nonessential
parts of it.
     If you would like to try other distributions then go for Debian.
It is Rock solid and secure. only problem being that compared to
RH7.1, Debian is slightly difficult to master. But it is an excellent
distribution. but remember you will not find packages in ".deb"
format. You will have to to do Make, make install, make clean, etc.,
most of the time.
    Suse and Mandrake are best suited for Desktops, and not for server
enviornment. Though there is nothing to stop you from setting up one
as a server. But remember IMHO, these distributions are meant for the
PC.
     You will have to do a cost-benefit analysis to get the best
result
HAve a nice day

I really don't understand this.  What difference does it make what
distribution you use for a server?  I have Mandrake 8 on my desktop, but
I also have several server processes running (ftp, ssh, netatalk).  I
also don't see anything stopping me from installing it on another
computer for server purposes only.  Why would Slack or Debian (both fine
distros) be 'better suited' for it?

Chris (not trying to start a flame war)

????
.deb IS the Debian package format.

To install a package in Debian, "apt-get install pkg-name" where pkg-name
is the name of the package you want.

Or use "dselect" which is a [slightly] more user-friendly front end.

Or browse the Debian web site with Lynx. Press return (not 'd' for
download) on the download link, and Lynx will ask you if you want the
package installed, and do it for you if you say yes.

Quote:>     Suse and Mandrake are best suited for Desktops, and not for server
> enviornment. Though there is nothing to stop you from setting up one
> as a server. But remember IMHO, these distributions are meant for the
> PC.
>      You will have to do a cost-benefit analysis to get the best
> result
> HAve a nice day

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I just tried Red Hat 7.1 and Suse 7.2.

The installation programs for each let me select what I wanted
intstalled package by package.

Quote:> ????
> .deb IS the Debian package format.

> To install a package in Debian, "apt-get install pkg-name" where pkg-name
> is the name of the package you want.

> Or use "dselect" which is a [slightly] more user-friendly front end.

> Or browse the Debian web site with Lynx. Press return (not 'd' for
> download) on the download link, and Lynx will ask you if you want the
> package installed, and do it for you if you say yes.

I know what a .deb package is, and how to use it. My point it that
there are more Linux software's in "rpm" and "tar.gz" format then
there are in "deb" format. Fortunately almost all the Software for
Linux is in the "tar.gz", which makes the software avaliable for
Debian. But the biggest sticking point is that "installation is a pain

     I am a great fan of Debian myself, but this is the reason I am
slowly shifting to RH based distributions.
HAve a nice day

Technically you are absolutely right. But Servers are generally meant
to handle lots and lots of IO and Network transactions, for clients or
its peers. The reason why you generally see a server as a system with
a monitor which is most of the time shut off. There are instances
where a Machine works as a server as well as a Worksatation/Desktop
for users, but those instances are few.
     Now the differnce. Servers as I have mentioned do intensive IO
and Networking work, sometimes also Process intensive work, but their
OS configuration is geared to that end. That is why when you run a
server resources allocation to services like "ftp, telnet, http, news,
etc." is high. On the other hand, for a workstation, the resources are
geared more towards meeting the need of a specific individual or for
the moment the user who sits in front of it(Figuratively speaking).
    Let us assume that you have done a workstation install, and have
"ftp, http, etc." services running for time being. But if the load
gets heavy, then the scenario will be like a ferrari pulling a one ton
canister. It is possible to do it, but well you get the picture. On
the other had you had a 16 wheller, it would easily have taken that
load and slugged it around for you. On the other hand you will not
take Marlyin Monroe with you to a dance in a 16 wheeler will you?
    Get the picture??
HAve a nice day

p.s. I Also Hope that I do not start a flame. Guys if any of your
sensibilities have been hurt, then honestly it was not meant to.

Debian has a utility to handle .rpm packages as well as .deb.

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