[SOLVED] Linux Server

[lukekelly]

Hi All,

I'm here to get some advice really, at the company i work for we have decided to host our own intranet site. At the moment i have it hosted with a company, the site is hosted on a linux platform (i have no idea what distribution it is).

Basically, firstly, I would like to continue to use a linux based server as it seems to run fine, also its about time i learned how to use it!

I did the test to see what distribution is best for my needs, and the following were the results;

- Mandriva
- Ubuntu
- openSUSE

Firstly to check, in peoples opinions; what would be the best to use for a server? I will be running xxampp (and its goodies) on it, the system that our intranet is designed around is the Joomla! CMS (if this makes a difference). Obviously as it is a server i would like a complete hard disk install.

Also a quick question; i didn't see red hat (prob. the first linux dist. that i heard off) is there a reason for this?

Thanks in advance


Luke

[devils casper]

Hi and Welcome !

You have to purchase a license for RHEL. Mandriva, Ubuntu and OpenSUSE are good but I prefer Debian for Server. Thats my opinion only.

I would suggest you to check these Polls : Poll1 and Poll2

[lukekelly]

Thanks alot for your answer and the welcome, Debian wasn't on the list after i took the test but i have seen it mentioned elsewhere and seeing as the forum moderators of this site (including you ) say Debian i think i shall try that.

But to make sure first i just called my hosting company, so i could see what they run on their servers atm, which is red hat enterprise - Would i have any compatibility issues moving from red hat to Debian? Also how user friendly is Debian from Install to final config?

I only have experience in installing ermm /\/\$ operating systems since 3.1 - would my knowledge of these be handy?

[devils casper]

Would i have any compatibility issues moving from red hat to Debian?

RHEL is RPM based and its Package Management system completely different from Debian. Check CentOS.org too. Its free clone of RHEL and you won't have any compatibility problem with CentOS.

Also how user friendly is Debian from Install to final config?

Installers of most of Linux distros are very user friendly these days. No matter what Distro you choose to user, give special attention to Partition Structure.

[lukekelly]

Thats great thanks very much for your assistance, going to try centOS in the week, no doubt i shall be back with a few questions (unless i find answers on the forum )

I look forward to using it!

[b2bwild]

CentOS is good enterprise solution, as being a clone os RHEL
but when you are on Linux you can do anything, so far i prefer debian my self as devils casper suggested. Its like lot more stable.
I suggest you to atleast give a try to debian.

I run a server on my home PC having Mint 6 on it. X_X
Well its just a example site of LAMP server.
Using WordPress blog Penguin Inside and Joomla Welcome to the Frontpage Example for some students. however you can access while daylight on +5:30 GMT, I keep my PC shut in night.

[lukekelly]

I understand devils casper that there would be compatibility issues switching; but im just thinking for a second; if all i am copying to the new server would be an sql db and the site pages, that only run from the software supplied in xxampp; would the compatibility be an issue? (if the mysql database has been setup on a debian server for example all i would need to do is update the tables with my backup and copy over the site pages to the host directory?) Just a thought on how I (think I) understand it at the moment.

Thanks in advance

Luke

[b2bwild]

I wont suggest you to copy all the dbs and document root to another distro, that would need some polishing. permissions may get messed up, but major problem will come with configuration, there is big difference between debian and centOS configurations.

So, If you are intrested in way to go stuff, just stay with CentOS That would keep you safe.

[lukekelly]

Ha yes, that sounds safest, i think once i have this one setup (i haven't even done a linux install yet ) i will look into what would ultimately be the best dist. for the site, learn how to use linux confidently, and also learn all the features of xxampp (not only will it be my first linux install but also my first web server set up :P) Im umm quietly confident that ill be ok ; after all that then I'll think about migrating to Debian (seeing as you guys seem to like it so much - must be a reason)

thanks for the quick reply's b2bwild & devilscasper

Luke

[b2bwild]

If you get any problem, don't forget to post