New Server

[De-coi]

Hello all. I am new to Linux and my knowledge is little, but I hope to learn a lot from this forum in my quest to set-up Linux at home.

My fisrt question is to do with choice of Distro for a home based server. I know the questions have been asked before re: choosing a distro, but I need to go right to the basics first...

I have acquired a Dell Power Edge 2400 server (P111 866, 256mB Ram, 3x 18gB HDD) that I want to turn into an all round home based server, that will be used to host an external storage drive, email, and basic web sites. My knowledge, as I say is limited. I'm not asking which is best for me, but I am asking which distros can do what I need, so that I can choose from there.

My parameters are as follows...

- It's a server, so graphics are not a priority, but security and stability is.

- Idiot proof. I don't know about PHP, scripts, etc and what they do or how they work, but realise I need to have things like this installed to host websites. I expect there will be a huge learning curve when dealing with command lines, so I would prefer the most simple method of installation and maintenance. The simpler the better - the more GUI the better.

- As mentioned, the server will be used as an exchange for about 15 email accounts (slowly increasing), I will access internet through it, it will become a home network data server, host two or three websites (and possibly include some databases and a secure website) must be able to back-up data automatically, and work in a wireless environment (it will be connected via ethernet to the router, but my laptop and PCs will be wireless running Win XP Pro / 2000.

- The server currently runs (I think) Win Small Business Server 2000 (??), and I would like to have a dual boot system (only because I have no clue about Linux and need something to fall back on if things go wrong)

So the question in the end is, what Distros would you recommend I look at for the above purposes. I have considered the following Ubuntu LTS, Red Hat (but don't want to pay for anything), and Debian so far, but even reading information on them makes them seem extremely complicated, and I can't really tell the difference, or see which is better suited to my needs.

Your help will be highly appreciated.

TIA

David

[Thrillhouse]

I think you're on the right track. Ubuntu LTS is a good choice (lots of GUI configuration, will probably pick up on your wireless, etc.). Red Hat is also a logical choice but if you don't want to pay for it, you can try CentOS which is essentially a free clone of Red Hat. It is very stable, one of the most stable Linux distributions out there. I don't know too much about Debian on server machines but I do know that many people swear by it so I don't think you could go wrong there either. I think if security and stability are your top priorities, then you should go with CentOS but if you're looking for more of a friendlier system, Ubuntu LTS is the right choice. Then again, somebody on here may have a completely different opinion so you should try as many different things out as you can.

[k_amisi]

As Thrillhouse said different people have different choices, i like suse so obviously i'll recommend it, also you can never go wrong with yast. Download Open Suse 10 and swing away!!!!!!

Does anyone know who said that?

[bidi]

I use Debian on my home server! Currently it only does NFS, but has been off for the past 4 days since I don't need to use it. I learned a lot about how to set it up from:
www.aboutdebian.com

The site has a bunch of "tutorials" about how to get things started, but they should read in order unless you're comfortable with the topic.

The information there can be used for anything Debian-based, such as Ubuntu. Even if you decide on something other than Debian-based, the concepts themselves can be applied to pretty much any distro.

[netstrider]

Because I use Ubuntu myself I'd recommend it, but I use it for home use only of course. In the end I can vouch for basically anything debian-based I think it's easy. SuSE is also a nice option in fact my brother and them use it at work along with some windows servers and our local 'McDonalds' use SuSE as well .