Which Os For My Server?

Hey,

I'll be running a server from september (on a duron 700).

It will be connected to the internet using 1MBit ADSL (hopefully)

The software i want to run is Apache, Sendmail, mysql and opendchub for an easy chat server. It might possibly run ircd in the future too.

Not focusing on ease of use, which operating system would everyone recommend?

I'm mainly thinking should i use FreeBSD or Linux.

Uptime and Stablility are the main concerns as speed will be limited by the net connection.

Thanks for your help,

fissy

#33980

Either one, id say it doesnt matter. Since your not running a huge site, both will probobly perform equally.

If I had to pick one though, id say Linux, because you get more support online.

You should use Debian Woody if you want ultra stable, but if you want a more up to date system thats still stable, Slackware.

If you choose BSD, I suggest OpenBSD, thats probobly the best ever platform for servers, but its kind of hard to install.

Of course, you should always update to the latest stable versions of the servers,dont just use what comes w/ the distro. And keep a (very big) eye out for patches, because applying them is essential to security.

Another tip, dont install X or any other extranious programs. You open up holes, and hurt performance.

Good luck, and make sure your ISP allows you to run servers, some can fine you $300 if your not allowed.

#33981

eeeek! i wouldn't be eating again for that term if i got fined that.

Hopefully it should be ok though as i'm getting a static ip. why else would you want a static ip?

Also how freebsd to install?

#33982

Well, you said that you didn't care about installation ease of use, so thats why I mentioned OpenBSD, because their goal is security for servers.

FreeBSD is like the "desktop" BSD. Its the easiest of the 3 to install, and its the most up-to-date, but its not as secure as OpenBSD.

Have you ever installed Slackware? The FreeBSD install is exactly like Slackwares (Patrick ripped off fbsd).

You'd want a static IP for ease of use, or a server.

Like I said, your probobly not opening the next Slashdot, so running a distro thats not "the most secure" (when compared to Debian, obsd) isn't a big deal, and you shouldn't run into any problems. All of *nix is 10x more secure than Windows, but only if you keep those patches rolling in. In OSS, they release a patch as soon as the vulnerability (no matter how little) is discovered.

#33983

well i don't mind learning a bit, but equally don't want to spend the whole of august head butting a wall ;-)

The server will potentially be used by 2000 users+ and many of them will be computer science undergrads. I suppose i better start learning openbsd

(assuming it has a port of opendchub?)

#33984

All the BSDs use the same central hub of software, called PORTS. It the best package management system Ive seen. Wonderful for keeping up to date.

And BSD has almost perfect linux emulation (no slowdown), so you dont have to worry too much.

#33985

Would you say it was a good idea to try and learn say freebsd 5.1 over the next month, (as installing shouldn't be a problem), then depending on how far i get, move on to openbsd.

Does anyone else run their own server and have an opinion btw?

[edit] you knew what i meant ;-)

#33986

ummm....openBSD is only at 3.3 . FreebSD is at 5.1.

Yeah, play around with FreeBSD for a while. You'll find 95% of the commands are the same as Linux. Check out BSDforums.org for more help, as Im no Bsd expert (I just have one FreeBSD server).

#33987

Originally posted by contrasutra@Jun 19 2003, 12:15 AM

ummm....openBSD is only at 3.3 . FreebSD is at 5.1.

Yeah, play around with FreeBSD for a while. You'll find 95% of the commands are the same as Linux. Check out BSDforums.org for more help, as Im no Bsd expert (I just have one FreeBSD server).

server for what..?

#33988

I have a server that shares my internet (DHCP) and some files locally.

I have dialup, so im not running any websites.

#33989

my two cents on this is that bsd will do a better job than linux. i don't think it matters if you use open or net, but they both seem to run like tanks when i have seen them. i use freeshell.org a lot, and with bash on, i feel totally at home. things are arranged a little different, but they run TONS of users on that system and don't have trouble.

#33990

I wouldn't pick NetBSD, as you are going to be running this on a regular system (like not a Gameboy). NetBSD specializes on running in exotic platforms, its not known for security or ease of use.

But if you ever want to run bsd on a toothpick, NetBSD is your best choice.

By the way, isn't this nice being able to talk about all the great choices for running a server, all for no money. Just to get a Microsoft Server in your hands, you'd have to pay $400. With OSS, you can switch between distros and OSs, as you see fit. I love freedom.

Maybe you should post your hardware, as linux has MUCH better hardware support, so if you are running something odd, it may not work in BSD, and that can stop the debate.

#33991

This is all i know about sorry:

PC-Good buy

AMD Duron Processor

700MHz

112Mb RAM

Fujitsu 14" monitor

52x CDROM

Network card

Keyboard, Mouse, Speaker

All for only £100

I love the way we can argue about whats best without having to think about money too.

You think i got a good deal?

#33992

How much is that in USD? Im a stooped American.

Sounds like a fine server though. The only things to worry about might be the network card and video . If its a cheap computer, it may be a crappy generic NIC. Thats ok though, because Linux/BSD compatable network cards are still cheap ($15-20).

What video card is in it? If its integrated graphics, you may have a problem. If its Nvidia, your fine as they have great Linux and BSD drivers. If its ATI or generic, you may have problems.

Pay the extra $20 if you have to, and get a Geforce2 or something, if it doesnt already come w/ something acceptable.

If you are planning on running GUI though (which I dont recommend), you should grab some more RAM though, its cheap. $10.

My suggestion, ask to run Knoppix on one of the computers they build. If it boots and runs and identifies everything fine, you know its at least Linux compatable.

#33996

I'm just buying it off a university trading site from a third year who can't take their computer home with them.

I'm sure if its not compatible with BSD it will be ok with linux, not ideal, but hey, its better than windows 98

comes to around $140 at a quick guess

#33998

Cool. I still suggest trying Knoppix out on it, just to be sure.

Yeah, any *nix is better than Windows 98. Thats the buggiest piece of software I have ever used.

Anyway, what do the mods and admins use for their stuff? DZ and some others have moderated lots of sites, im sure they deal with the actual servers at some point. So, could some people with some more experience in running web servers give their opinion for this man. (Y)

#34044

Originally posted by contrasutra@Jun 18 2003, 10:26 PM

I have dialup...

And yet you spam more than the rest of us combined...amazing! :canadian:

-godpunk

#34075

Definitely OpenBSD. we had to switch both our servers off RedHat Linux,(some

worm left a backdoor open). It wasn't that much of a pain unless you want to go

X. Hope you like CLI.

Exactly what kind of NIC do you have?

#34436

** Royal Pain takes Contrasutra's award for most anachronyms in a post **

i don't know anything technical about the hardware because i haven't bought it yet

I get the computer on wednesday

#34469

** RoyalPain bows to the crowd as he takes this award **

#34483

If you are not running a GUI, like me , why would you need a fancy graphics card. I am using an ati Mach64 in a server that I am using for a little catholic school, but I would just as glasly use an old trident chip. Most of the time, I use generic drivers in servers anyway. I set them up, and use ssh most of the time if I am doing anything on them. Monitors are expensive, and people give me computers without them, so I've learned to work around a monitor. Although, I would like to hook my Impression5 up to my computer to use as another monitor. I have a 11 yr old Canon 13" that I have on my server right now. It isn't making scary crackling noises, I don't care about the resolution, and it still works.

#34580