[CrazySpai]

Sup DiC,

I have always been a Windows man, dabbled in Linux but it was setup for me. I have been wanting to get a linux server running for a while and now I have the chance. I have a 5-10 year old PC that I havn't opened and looked at yet. 350 mhz, 256 ram, and a big harddrive.

I have been recommended Debian as a server OS. They say that it has a really nice GUI as well as terminal use. When I go to Debian to grab it I am asked for the architecture... I am used to just 32 or 64 bit. I have no f'in clue on what to get.

[alpha][amd64][arm][armel][hppa][i386][ia64][mips][mipsel][powerpc][sparc]

Those are my choices.

Any help would be appreciated.

CrazySpai

[markhazlett9]

If possible Suse enterprise edition is a great server linux distro... It is fairly complicated compared to say ubuntu or something like that but it offers some really great features.

[CrazySpai]

Alright, I will look into that as well.

I see that all Linux Distros have that list, which one should I choose?

EDIT: Suse, is a paid version. Until I have decided whether I like Linux or not, I'd prefer not to spend much money on it.

This post has been edited by CrazySpai: 16 February 2009 - 02:31 PM

[no2pencil]

There is Open Suse, I've heard only good things about it.

As for which version you want, i386 is always a safe bet. However, based on the description of the hard ware you gave, I would go with 32 bit. Before Ubuntu came around & did everything for you, one was actually required to know wth they were doing in order to use Linux.

Unless you are going to custom compile your modules into your kernel, or make use of 64 bit architecture, the i386 is adequate & will easily serve your needs of a small Linux server.

[baavgai]

Ubuntu is about as easy as it gets, both for install and use, server and desktop.

Specifically for server, the latest and greatest is not really required; the basic tools don't change that much. For production systems I like Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, which means don't worry about upgrading to the newest toys every six months.

I also like Red Hat for servers. Or, more specifically, a Red Hat redistro. My choice is usually CentOS.

Suse is a good distro, on par with Red Hat and Ubuntu. However, I have philosophical issues with it and refuse to use it for anything.

[CrazySpai]

Here is an update:

I got Debian and I am installing it right now. The only glitch I had was my previous DVD burn blew. So I got IMGBurn = FREE FTW. I will report on how it went later with any other question.

Thanks DiC.
Crazy

[Arenlor]

Most of the options a normal user can ignore. i386 WILL get the job done in most cases. amd64 is for well, AMD 64 bit processors, ia64 is for the Intel 64 bit Iatium.The rest, you'll know if you need them.

[tuntis]

Arenlor, on 1 Mar, 2009 - 03:54 AM, said:

amd64 is for well, AMD 64 bit processors

Which you'll also want to use with non-Itanium x64 Intel processors.