Linux Distribution for Server

[bgavin]

Linux heads,

What distribution is recommend for stable, secure server functions? Qmail, Apache, Samba, DJBDNS, perhaps MySQL.

No apps, sound, games, video, editing... none of that.

I've been tinkering with CentOS but it seems somewhat rough around the edges. Probably operator error on my part... but... it has trouble with standard Intel video hardware to the point where I have to manually set the probe values. The Yum updates seem to have more package inconsistencies than I would like.

I'd like to stay "main stream". I like the Yum updater method, etc. I don't want to tinker with it, just use it for the above server functions.

[linuxguru]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

Fedora Core 3 to 5 are pretty close to universal distros, and rock stable. You can try White Box Enterprise Linux (WBEL), which is yet another alternative to RHEL, like Centos.

[Paul S]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

For CentOS, make sure that you have the CentOSPlus repository enabled, then do an update. This will give you a more functional kernel.

Also, enable the third party repositories from RPMForge and ATRPMs. I was even able to install MythTV on a new install of CentOS 5.1, just from the repositories. But, I wasn't able to compile the nVidia driver binary, and ended up compiling my own kernel. There may be a nVidia driver from the repositories, I didn't even look.

http://wiki.centos.org/Repositories

[Paul S]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

.... I wasn't able to compile the nVidia driver binary, and ended up compiling my own kernel...

I need to clarify this, as it is not totally correct.

I wasn't able to install the nVidia binary on the latest Linux kernel from www.kernel.org (2.6.25.3). I was able to install it on the CentOSPlus kernel. But, with the CentOSPlus kernel, I was not able to get XvMC to work correctly. XvMC is needed to display the HDTV live TV and recordings from my MythTV setup.

I am able to get everything to work using an older kernel, 2.6.24.4. This really defeats the purpose of using CentOS for a MythTV box - extended support. My kernel is now not supported by the repositories.

Here is more info on XvMC:
http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/XvMC

[bgavin]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

I don't know what MythTV is, but I don't need it for a business server.

I like Fedora Core and CentOS. Fedora is cutting edge so I worry a bit about security compromises because the intended server is public facing through a NAT router.

It will run Qmail, SpamAssassin, some WebMail package, Apache, Samba, DJBDNS, and probably MySQL to support a shopping cart application for my business.

I'm also looking for recommendations on a main stream Web Mail application that I can use with a QMail back end.

[zandrax]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

I knw 3 distros for a sturdy server: Red Hat (or CentOS), Debian and Slackware.
I'd try Red Hat or Debian first: they're stable, with a large userbase and support lasts for long (something like 18 months); Slackware is more demanding (no administration tools) and require a bit more of tweaking.

Zandrax

[Paul S]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

I don't know what MythTV is, but I don't need it for a business server.

MythTV is a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) application. It has a frontend and a backend, the backend works as a video server.

The original poster said that he was having trouble with the Intel video. Since MythTV relies heavily on video, my experiences with it in CentOS are more than relevant.

By the way, there is a newer Intel video driver out. If you checked out my link to XvMC in MythTV you would see that it has the instructions on how to download and install the latest source from git. I wouldn't have know this if it wasn't for MythTV. Don't blow it off so quickly!

[gdement]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

Do you really need the video? A server typically doesn't need a GUI.

[bgavin]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

I'm not blowing off MythTV at all. But I still don't need a video recorder on a server. Tone of voice is absent on the Internet, so please understand I am not denigrating your MythTV experience... I simply don't need something like that on a server.

Yes, I want the X server working on Linux. As an assembler programmer, I have an intimate familiarity with command lines... but not in Linux. For me, the Linux machine is first a tool, second as a learning experience. I want to use it easily and get it productive in as short a time as possible. Memory and cpu cycles are abundant, so I have no need to conserve either by running without the GUI.

[Topcat]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

Fedora Core 3 to 5 are pretty close to universal distros, and rock stable.

I concur.

[bgavin]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

I notice the various QMail installations are all specified for FC3 ~ FC5, and not beyond. Evidently the newer FC releases offer more bell and whistles, which makes them less stable or more prone to invasion.

What about security updates for FC3~FC5? Isn't development long dead on these releases? I want to avoid having some clod use a known, but not fixed, security exploit on my old FC5 powered server.

[gdement]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

I see little reason to mess with Fedora Core on a server. It's essentially just a beta testing sandbox, not appropriate for a serious machine. The support cycle is annoyingly short, and even if the immature code works for you today, it could break tomorrow when they send you an unproven update. Using an "obsolete" version of Fedora Core might be somewhat better, assuming you can still find security updates. But it would only represent what's been integrated into the more stability-oriented CentOS by now. So I just don't see any point in using it.

If CentOS isn't working for you, an old Fedora Core isn't likely to help and a new Fedora Core would be foolish to use on a critical system.

[Paul S]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

Fedora Core 3 to 5 are pretty close to universal distros, and rock stable.

These distros are no longer supported, you may just as well use Red Hat 9

Actually, Fedora 7 support also will end, June 13 2008

http://www.redhat.com/archives/fedor.../msg00013.html

Pretty short life cycles. This is why CentOS is such an attractive distro. It will be supported until 2014;
http://wiki.centos.org/FAQ/CentOS5#h...762329bb64209c

[MixMasta]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

I can recommend the latest CentOS if you aren't using brand new just released hardware or are looking for the latest and greatest versions of software packages. That said, I have run in to some problems lately and have been forced to switch some of my new servers to the latest fedora core so my hardware will run correctly (missing hardware raid kernel modules). If you can afford to run yum alot to get updates to fix bugs, go for it. I also like fedora core because I can use XFS. For webmail, check out RoundCube Webmail.

[Paul S]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

That said, I have run in to some problems lately and have been forced to switch some of my new servers to the latest fedora core so my hardware will run correctly (missing hardware raid kernel modules).

Were you using the kernel from the CentOSPlus repository?

[bgavin]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

I use the latest CentOS 5.1 as downloaded from their site. I let it do its Update thing on a regular basis. I'm OK with CentOS, but was very slighted annoyed when I had to manually set the video card for Intel embedded video. That is about as mainstream as it gets.

One of the attractions about CentOS is it being the free version of RHEL. I'm not into bells and whistles, just stability. Eventually I also want to market this platform as a turn-key solution for clients needing a general proxy front end for mail, removing parasites, SQUID caching, and perhaps work as a site blocker, etc.

[Paul S]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

You probably should update the system using the CentOSPlus repository, as the stock kernel seems to be pretty stripped down. I don't have a list of what is enabled in the Plus kernel, but support for XFS and JFS filesystems are two things available in the Plus kernel.

When I installed CentOS 5.1, there was the option of enabling more repositories to do the installation from. It seems that it would be possible to then do the fresh installation with a kernel that has more bells and whistles. I'll have to try this option, next time.

[bgavin]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

Thanks for the tips. Willawake recommended CentOS, and it pretty much seems to be what I need.

As to bells and whistles, this always poses considerable consternation for me. I've been doing this since the early '70's and it never fails that more bells and whistles = more grief. In the Windows world, this means a wider exposure to our Asian friends who are so willing to use our machines for attack test machines.

I only need it to run Qmail, SpamAssassin, (probably) SquirrelMail, Apache, Samba, DJBDNS, and MySQL. But, I want it is secure as possible and equally stable. If that requires more bells and whistles, so be it. Otherwise, if I don't need it, I don't want to install it.

I have not yet compiled a linux kernel from source. My expertise is elsewhere, and I have not yet learned all the ins-and-outs with Linux.

[Paul S]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

As to bells and whistles, this always poses considerable consternation for me. I've been doing this since the early '70's and it never fails that more bells and whistles = more grief. In the Windows world, this means a wider exposure to our Asian friends who are so willing to use our machines for attack test machines.

I only need it to run Qmail, SpamAssassin, (probably) SquirrelMail, Apache, Samba, DJBDNS, and MySQL. But, I want it is secure as possible and equally stable. If that requires more bells and whistles, so be it. Otherwise, if I don't need it, I don't want to install it.

The Linux kernel contains most of the driver modules needed to run hardware. They can be compiled into the kernel, or compiled as modules. The modules are only loaded when needed, or when told to. I found that the original CentOS kernel didn't have some of the drivers that I commonly used enabled at all. Not even as a module.

I will attach the config file from the CentOSPlus kernel. It is rather cryptic and may not be of much use to you. Just remember:
Y=compiled into the kernel
M=compiled as a module
PS. I tried to attach the config file, but it was too big.

I have not yet compiled a linux kernel from source. My expertise is elsewhere, and I have not yet learned all the ins-and-outs with Linux.

I can give a quick guide on this.

1) Download kernel source (if you don't already have it). Unpack it into the /usr/src/kernels/<kernel version> folder. It may unpack to a folder, you don't have to create it.

2) As root, change the terminal to that directory:

cd /usr/src/kernels/<kernel version>

3) You now must set up the kernel configuration. This is where you can enable/disable things. Or compile them into the kernel or compile as modules.

make menuconfig

This will bring up a menu with all of the kernel choices.

4) After you have the configuration done, exit the menu and have it save the file. You now can start to compile the kernel:

make all

make modules_install

make install

If you want to automatically boot to the new kernel, edit the /boot/grub/menu.lst file. Change the default=<value> to the new kernel, most likely 0. They are numbered top down, the first one being 0.

You may need developmental files installed to compile a kernel. When I install Linux I always install all of the developmental files, plus any file that has dev or devel in the title. This gives me everything that I need to compile a kernel or a program. It doesn't take up that much disk space.

[toastygoodness]

Re: Linux Distribution for Server

have you tried arch linux? i use it on my servers and pacman is probably one of the best package management systems in linux. the only bad thing is that everything's configured in text files.

http://www.archlinux.org/