File Server - Fedora

[Peon]

Hi peeps..

I want to setup a linux box that will serve as a File server. So many lans then peeps need patches, "patches" for their "backup" cd's and updates ,etc,etc. So the chaps just copy from the server instead of bothering everyone for what they need. Also i would like to setup a DNS part to assign everyone IP's who connects to the LAN network, such as with smoothwall linux.

Ive been advised to use Fedora Linux Core 3, which im getting today. Also you can force the security policies to seperate the email section from the file server from the DNS part. Which is good i thought for chobo's trying to crash and buggerup the server (ye, everyone likes to play jokes).

Im going to use a 300 Mhz celeron with 64 mb ram.

Would there be any other linux types i should use? I could really use the advice.

thanks.

[Pestcontrol]

with 64 ram u will struggle to run a gui. Most to all linux distros have or can get evrything u need.
It also depends what your linux skills are.

I have (am) using suse and find it fairly easy to learn coming from a windows enviroment.

[Shrimp]

That machine will almost certainly die under X (GUI). For something like a file server, a GUI is really a bit excessive anyway.

Fedora/Mandrake/Red Hat/Suse/etc all use the RPM package format too, which is a bitch to use since any new applications will come in RPM format, and you just have to hope it'll work. Often you'll need to download files from an older version of the distro to get RPMs to work with your 'new version' distro.

That is if you can find any of the obscure dependencies anyway.


If you want a Desktop, and you're really n00b or unable to read documentation, go for one of the desktop distros like Fedora or Mandrake. If you want a server, especially on such low-spec hardware, get yourself something that lets you install what you want, and only when you need it.

Basically what I'm trying to say is the only Linux distro you need is Debian...

http://www.debian.org/

The installation, although it lacks the fancy GUI of the desktop distros, is quick and easy to follow. You also don't need the 3-6 CDs those other distros need just to install an FTP server, just get yourself the 100mb "netinst" ISO and after installing that you'll have a 100% operational Linux install. It's then just a matter of downloading/installing what you want when you need it through the 'apt' system.

apt-get install proftpd
apt-get install samba

Define Samba shares (windows shares)
Setup Anonymous FTP

You're done.

[hai2u]

Seriously dude, Step one - dont run Fedora... I find FreeBSD works best as a SAMBA server personaly, but Debian is good as well.

[Peon]

Thanks for the advice guys.

I dont need any GUI at all. To get an idea, i been using Linux Smoothwall for 2 to 3 years now. Its been brilliant. But its not a file server. All my smoothie did was stay in my old cupboard and assign IPs and act as a firewall/router to the net. The iso for smoothie was 32 mb's. To get an idea here is smoothwall (http://www.smoothwall.org/about/)

So yes i dont need any gui at all. I need something to stay in the corner and work without having to sit in front of it all the time.

I think i will take your advice Karnaugh and NOT use fedore and take Shrimps advice and use Debian rather. My skills with linux are questionable but i have downloaded alot of tutorials and entered those helping mailing lists and identified usergroups and websites that can help me specifically. It still wont be easy but i will like the challenge as it also forms part of my course at college.

Just one problem, i dont have an internet connection. I use friends' internet and a crap GPRS vodacom now and then. Will i need to magically find a way to connect the 3g to the debian box during or after the install?

Thanks again for the advice.

[Shrimp]

Hmm, for the netinst you will need an internet connection to get the packages you need, so you'll need to magically connect something to that :D

You could prep the machine offline, then pop it over to a friend and install Samba, an FTP server, and whatever else you need then. Once done it'll be fine to take offline again until you want to install something else.

[hai2u]

Or you can use jigdo to build a Sarge ISO

[hai2u]

someone has already built the ISO's... ftp://ftp.fsn.hu/pub/CDROM-Images/debian-unofficial/sarge/

Hope you have lots of bandwidth.

[Shrimp]

There are around 14 ISOs on ftp.sun.ac.za :D, if you're prepared to download them at 56k speeds ;)

[D>Fantom]

Arc, dude, do not listern to this lot. While Shrimp and Karnaugh come with mad linux skills that defy humans at every turn these are not the way for everyone. Go simple, and easy to start with (Fedora, Mandrake) and work your way up to better things from that. Jumping into Debian is frikking insanity i tell you.
None the less, to share files you will use a program called samba. Never seen a distribution without it.

[Shrimp]

No man, I never said I had any mad skills :P. Ask anyone in IRC, most of my lines end in "?" ;).

I just think for what he needs it for, and considering his hardware specs, Fedora or some other big Desktop distro simply isn't the right choice... If he was using it for browsing, emails, games, spreadsheets, and all that normal desktop stuff, then cool, go Mandrake or something.

Also, the perception that Debian is really hard is extremely over-rated from my experience...

[Zyron]

Also, the perception that Debian is really hard is extremely over-rated from my experience...

Its like 7 CD's o_O, Therefore its hard :p

[<A>BioGizzard]

i want to build a linux box to, but i have no clue what i want to use it for just yet, so which is the best linux for a noob to start learning on?
and also where can u locally download all these linux goodies and stuff u'd be mentioning

p.s. i fear no manuall :)

[Peon]

Interesting..

I finally got the Fedora DVD iso etc,etc. First problem.:D Kernel Panic Error, attempting to sync failed - killed init. Thats after you press enter from the boot. :D That was on my 915P chipset board so i gave the benefit of the doubt and tried on the 333 Mhz celeron.

Its not actually that hard and the tut's and manuals arent really needed, just one question though.

To "activate" the DHCP on Fedora i enabled it as one of the services. Now i know i must do more prolly through the terminal however im not sure how to proceed. At the moment all i need to get right on the Fedora box is to assign IP's and the rest i can manage.

Could it be during the install process i have not installed a component needed?

Anyways, i dont suppose anyone here has like a 400 Mhz or something i can buy as the 333Mhz has been "repossed".

Thanks for the advice though guys.

[Peon]

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

We gots it to work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have to make a dhcpd.conf and 'put' in ip ranges and subnets masks etc,etc. Strange that when you install Fedora it doesnt make one, even though you wanted a DHCP service.

The file server part also worked :)

Aye, project completed....

thanks guys.
:D :D :D :D :D